In the tea room, Ilucia felt as if the air was about to solidify.
The entire tea room was in an eerie silence. The black-robed messenger sitting opposite Ilucia had already taken off her hood, but there was no expression on her delicate face.
To Ilucia, she was like a… puppet. Although exquisitely made, she lacked that lively feeling.
But it was not good to keep this stalemate. Ilucia even suspected that if she did not speak, the lovely person in front of her might sit there silently until tomorrow morning.
There was no other way; she had to speak first.
Ilucia personally poured a glass of Stratholme fruit wine for the messenger. This fruit wine actually had very little alcohol content and was a drink suitable for all ages.
"Miss Messenger, may I ask, do you have something important to discuss, coming to my humble abode so late?"
Lilian glanced at the poured drink, and her clear, cold voice calmly sounded, "I am ordered to receive a member of the Barov Family and to protect her safety closely in the coming days."
Ilucia was stunned, still a bit slow to react.
The Secret Intelligence Agency sent someone to protect her? This… this gave Ilucia a strange sense of absurdity, as if the Royal Guards were protecting an assassin with ulterior motives.
Had the Scourge's influence already infiltrated this violent agency?
Remember m in one second.
However, there wasn't much time for Ilucia to think now. She quickly reacted based on her experience and knowledge.
"Ah, thank you for coming. Then, if you don't mind, shall I arrange for you to stay in the guest room?"
What Ilucia was thinking now was to send this Secret Intelligence Agency messenger away first, as she hadn't yet figured out the situation. She needed to communicate with Dark Dean Gandling first.
This was also something that puzzled her greatly: why Dark Dean Gandling hadn't told her specifically who she was going to meet, only vaguely saying it was someone of high status and power in Lordaeron.
Therefore, many possible individuals flashed through Ilucia's mind, but such a range was too broad, making Ilucia unsure what kind of person would have connected with Scholomance.
However, now the Secret Intelligence Agency was suddenly involved, which immediately made Ilucia vigilant—she didn't know if the person she was supposed to meet was related to the Secret Intelligence Agency, or if the Secret Intelligence Agency had learned some information and came to monitor her movements.
That's right, the Secret Intelligence Agency could be that direct. Even nobles, as long as there was a suitable reason, could intervene in relevant affairs.
Or rather, those targeted by the Secret Intelligence Agency were basically heinous, unforgivable criminals, or even those with ambitions to usurp power.
No one knew how the Secret Intelligence Agency discerned people's intentions, but their work was as meticulous as a machine, never making a single mistake.
Among the noble circles, this was an open secret. Ilucia even learned that many ambitious nobles, after the establishment of the Secret Intelligence Agency, became 'good gentlemen' in Lordaeron.
So she planned to observe this special envoy first, then figure out a plan.
But when Lilian Vos heard Ilucia's arrangement, she emphasized, "I am ordered to protect your safety closely."
"Of course I know, so I would like to ask you—" Ilucia wore her habitual fake smile, but halfway through her words, she suddenly realized something, "You mean… you want to stay in the same room as me?"
This time Lilian didn't speak, seemingly tacitly agreeing with Ilucia's words.
Ilucia's smile almost couldn't hold. Her heart was on the verge of collapse: What… what should she do? She had never heard of such a strange request!
Was a 'close guard' truly 'close'? The kind that even sleeps together?!
After a brief moment of shock, Ilucia tried to change Lilian's mind, "Ah… I understand that you wish to complete your mission perfectly. How about I arrange the room next to mine for you?"
"Close, guard."
For the first time, Lilian's face showed an expression. She wrinkled her dainty nose, seemingly displeased, and emphasized the two words again, her tone slightly heavier.
Ilucia was once again in a difficult position. Lilian completely ignored her opinions. Such a person was impossible to communicate with. No matter how humble her attitude, no matter how charming her smile, if the other party didn't listen, they simply didn't listen, completely sticking to her own ideas!
For the first time in her life, Ilucia felt that her twenty years of noble upbringing and her 'young lady' demeanor were completely useless.
Finally, under the stubborn gaze of the doll-like exquisite messenger Lilian Vos, Ilucia completely gave in and could only agree to her staying in the same room as herself.
However, when she truly returned to her room, she realized that her and Lilian's understanding of "staying" might be different.
After entering Ilucia's room, Lilian's figure seemed to be erased by an eraser, completely disappearing into the air. Ilucia's heart tightened, and she quickly pretended to be surprised and asked, "Miss Vos?"
The reply to Ilucia was still Lilian's clear, cold voice, "I'm here."
This was tricky now!
Ilucia blinked. Only then did she realize that the other party was a rogue skilled in the way of shadows. Lilian had now completely merged into the shadows. Without special detection skills, ordinary people would find it difficult to discover her.
Ilucia did know some anti-invisibility magic, but it wasn't a spell that could be used instantly, and her using such magic without reason would definitely make Lilian wary.
"This is bad… In that case, I have no idea where she is in the room. This makes it impossible for me to contact Gandling…"
Ilucia climbed onto the bed, but her heart was quite conflicted. It seemed this young lady from the Secret Intelligence Agency would be keeping a close watch in the coming days, making it difficult for her to find an opportunity to contact Gandling.
However, Ilucia also understood something at this moment. Gandling hadn't told her in advance who she was going to visit, perhaps because who she was visiting wasn't important at all… or perhaps, he didn't even know who it was?
Otherwise, with Gandling's way of doing things, he would definitely have told her the main content beforehand. Otherwise, even if she was a pawn or even a sacrificial piece, not knowing who she was supposed to meet would greatly reduce the success rate of the mission, wouldn't it?
Thinking this, Ilucia gradually calmed down. She pondered for a moment and then asked, "Miss Vos, if I may be so bold, which Lord from Lordaeron wishes to see me?"
However, the only reply Ilucia received was the sound of the wind outside the window and the chirping of insects.