The sky had already been dyed the color of the setting sun by the time Esmeralda returned home.
“Hmm,” groaned Mia as she rubbed her stomach. “I wonder what’s for dinner today.” What a troubling thing to say!
Perhaps it was a natural question. The masterpieces the chef whipped together were so tasty they could whet the palate of the already satiated. Asking Mia not to wonder about the menu he had crafted for dinner was nearly impossible.
But that wasn’t the chef’s fault! Such an insinuation would be preposterous. He thought carefully and critically about Mia’s and her father’s health, sharpening his skills night and day to prepare the most delicious and nutritious meals he could.
So nobody was in the wrong, right?
In that case, why don’t I steal a few b—I mean, perform a taste test? thought Mia as she exited the room.
It was worth mentioning that since Mia had already indulged in so many tea cakes, Anne had requested beforehand the size of dessert be diminished. She was the pinnacle of maids and managed the condition and meal sizes of her master with the utmost care!
Mia rushed to the White Night Dining Hall, ready to enjoy a little taste of her meal. But that’s when...
“My apologies, Miss Mia. Could I have a moment?”
The sudden voice shocked Mia, eliciting an odd “Hwah?!” She awkwardly turned around to find...
“O-Oh, Rina. What is it?”
“Before we head to Ganudos, Rina would like you to meet with my father.”
“My, with Duke Lorenz?”
“Yes. When I asked him about Lord Hannes Clausius, he said it would be best to speak with you directly.”
“Ah, that...” It wasn’t as though Mia forgot or anything! Well, if she had, at least she was trying to hide it with her expression. “You’re right. If we’re going to Ganudos, it would be best to hear his intel and make sure we have our information straight.”
Mia’s goal wasn’t to save the king of Ganudos from assassination, nor was it to save the sea-faring Visalians. Instead... My main goal is to figure out where Great-Uncle Hannes is.
Suddenly, Mia felt eyes on her. She examined her surroundings and found a group of young kids staring at her near the entrance. Of course, it was Patty, Bel, Yanna, and Kiryl. The mention of Hannes had drawn Patty’s attention.
Mia once again made sure her lapse of memory didn’t show on her face. “And where is Duke Lorenz?”
“He’s currently here at the Whitemoon Palace.”
“My, he is? Then I must meet with him immediately,” replied Mia, beckoning to Patty.
She timidly—but quickly—approached. “Did you find out something about Hannes?”
“Yes, I believe we have,” said Mia with a nod. Patty will return to the past one day, so I absolutely need to make sure that her impression of Duke Lorenz is a good one!
Mia recalled an old nightmare—the one where she was presented with a poisoned cake by the Yellowmoons. Mia loved cakes, and a poisoned cake was as big a betrayal as a poisonous mushroom!
No, that wasn’t quite right. As the Mushroom Empress, Mia had love for all toadstools, even the virulent ones. But a lethal cake? Mia could never allow such a thing!
That’s why I need to make sure Duke Lorenz and Patty meet. As long as she knows Duke Lorenz is a good man who saved Hannes, we’ll be able to avoid such nightmares, thought Mia with a sigh.
“Would you like to listen in on our conversation, Patty?”
“H-Huh? I can come too?”
“Of course. You’re directly related to this matter, after all. I’ll make sure Duke Lorenz allows it.”
Lorenz was fundamentally an understanding man. Knowing that he loved sweets as much as she did, Mia was confident she’d be able to convince him.
After a short while of waiting in the drawing room, there was a knock at the door, and Lorenz stepped inside. His eyes opened wide as soon as they landed on Patty. “I take it this is one of your relatives, Your Highness? Or perhaps a descendant of Lord Hannes?”
Mia wasn’t quite sure how to bring up Patty, but this was her chance! She nodded along. “Yes, that’s about right. I’m quite surprised you noticed.”
“She looks awfully like your grandmother, after all.” The corners of Lorenz’s eyes lifted into a smile, as if he were looking fondly on the past. “But I see... A descendant of Lord Hannes. I take it this may be the reason you suddenly inquired about him?”
“Yes. I’m glad we’re already on the same page,” said Mia with a nod. “I know nothing about my Great-Uncle Hannes, nor House Clausius, which I know had deep ties with the Serpents. However, I’ve heard rumors that he was assassinated by the Yellowmoons. I was hoping you could fill me in.” She stared at Lorenz, her expression serious. “At the very least, I believe he must still be alive. Is that true?”
Lorenz folded his arms and nodded. “I see. In that case, I shall tell you all I know.”