A smile? Me?
Angel was stunned at first, then instinctively put on a stern expression to avoid revealing any flaw.
Only then did she realize that Audrey must have heard Sherlock's voice in the final second of their communication through the Communication Potion last night, which had made her suspicious.
"Just communicating with another friend."
She answered flatly, just as she had answered Sherlock yesterday.
Using those few seconds, she recalled some sad things, adjusted the subtle expressions on her face, and then asked:
"How about now? Do I look a little sadder?"
"Ah? What?"
Audrey's face was full of confusion. She glanced at Susie beside her, thinking she had misheard.
The procession of carriages soon arrived at Earl Wolf's estate, also in Queens Borough. After a complicated series of formalities, Angel entered the ballroom as Audrey's companion, along with Audrey, her personal maid, and Susie the Golden Retriever. The others, including the Beyonder guards, remained in the side hall to receive separate hospitality.
Earl Wolf's estate had clearly not been built for social gatherings, but even so, the luxury of the first-floor hall that had been turned into a ballroom still surpassed any salon or dance venue Angel had seen before.
The crystal chandelier overhead illuminated the hall as brightly as day. An orchestra played soothing, melodious music atop a marble platform, while men and women danced gracefully beneath the lights and music or held champagne glasses as they conversed.
Aside from the banquet hosted by that Prince last time, this was the most extravagant place I had ever seen... The cost of holding this ball might even be enough to buy a Desire Apostle's Beyonder Characteristic. Hmm, would that mean the life of a Duke?
Angel looked around the hall, feeling somewhat moved.
Audrey beside her had