A Changing Wind
After joyfully reuniting with Gary and Miracca, I asked them to fill me in on the recent movements of the Knights Order. After all, stationed out in the Abbott region, I’d had no access to what was going on in the royal capital.
“Two days after this ball ends, the second session of the Royal Council will be held… and we’re planning to confront Hank with the suspicions surrounding him there.”
That was the first thing Gary told me—about the Royal Council.
Apparently, they had gotten their hands on some pretty solid evidence.
—If that clears up the suspicions hanging over me… then maybe I really should return to the capital.
Just as I was thinking that I’d need to make a decision soon—
“Um… isn’t it getting kind of noisy?”
Elina noticed something strange going on around us.
I’d been so focused on what Gary was telling me that I hadn’t picked up on it, but now that she mentioned it… the servants were scurrying about in a panic. There was clear urgency written all over their faces.
“Looks like something’s happened.”
Elina and I immediately went on alert, suspecting a possible emergency.
In contrast, Gary and Miracca just sighed heavily, looking more exasperated than concerned.
“Looks like she disappeared again.”
Gary muttered under his breath.
“Disappeared?”
“You just got here, so you wouldn’t know… but apparently, the young lady of the duke’s house is going through that kind of phase.”
“? What do you mean?”
“You’ve figured out the real reason for this ball, haven’t you?”
“Ah! I see… that’s what this is all about.”
Elina seemed to understand immediately, but I was still totally lost.
Maybe noticing that, Gary gave me an explanation.
“Officially, this ball is to celebrate Lady Alyssa’s birthday. But the real aim of everyone here is to win her hand in engagement.”
“Hank came here with that exact goal in mind too.”
“Looks that way.”
An engagement to the duke’s daughter—there couldn’t be a better fit to satisfy Hank’s insane ambition for advancement.
For the Delant family as well, that would skyrocket their status within the kingdom. A dream come true.
However, it seems Lady Alyssa herself isn’t too enthusiastic about getting engaged in the first place.
“I totally get it… being told to marry some guy you’ve never even met before, regardless of whether you like him or not—it just doesn’t sit right.”
“That used to be the norm, but… I guess times are changing.”
Apparently, this wasn’t the first time she’d gone missing either.
Still, I didn’t expect the storm clouds to come rolling in from that direction.
What do you think about this chapter?
