The "Unaging" Characteristic

On Thursday, Angel finally had some time to herself after days spent keeping an eye on the arms deal in the Gargas Archipelago, worrying that Hvin Rambis might approach Audrey again, and monitoring the various factions' reactions to Ince Zangwill's death. She resumed her life as a member of Backlund's "high society."

She had received the payment Helene sent her. After adding her own share, Angel's savings had exceeded 18,000 pounds, several times what she had possessed when she first returned to Backlund as Christine Teresa.

Of course, the monthly expenses of the villa she currently lived in remained staggering, and soon she would have to add the Iris Flower Winery in the suburbs to them. The manor house alone was five times the size of her residence in the city. Its larger garden, extensive vineyards, and wine cellars requiring meticulous care would all need more Gold Pounds to keep running smoothly.

If worse comes to worst, I can sell some of the wine in the cellars. I hear the winery produces consistently good wine, so finding buyers shouldn't be a problem... Angel happily tallied her assets while listening to her butler Ribak's endless account of her upcoming "assignments."

Balls, dinner parties... Those two things will probably dominate Backlund's upper-class society all summer. Oh, and informal salons. Those are fashionable among young nobles, who can discuss their favorite subjects at relatively private gatherings without worrying about the restrictions of etiquette or their elders... Listening to her nearly packed schedule, Angel inwardly grumbled about the city's extravagant lifestyle.

Aside from these "regular activities," Angel had arranged to visit her newly acquired Iris Flower Winery with Audrey Hall on Saturday. The Loen Charity Student Aid Fund, which she had not visited in quite some time, had also invited her to become more