On closer inspection, Maria was holding a beautiful European-style envelope at some point. The front bore the Ushiromiya Family's One-Winged Eagle crest in gold foil, along with a red-and-black wax seal. The entire envelope looked imposing, not something Maria could have casually taken out to play with.
"Maria, what is that in your hand?"
Natsuhi Ushiromiya seemed to have noticed that there was something unusual about the envelope Maria was holding as well. Her tone was far too stern for someone trying to guide a child, and that was what made the other relatives realize something was wrong.
"Sister-in-law Natsuhi, what is it?"
"This... what is that?"
"Maria, where did you pick that up...?"
"That envelope belongs to Mr. Kinzo..." Nanjō muttered, and Lin Yan and the other younger members immediately understood why the atmosphere had frozen solid.
The envelope Maria held was specially made for the private use of the Ushiromiya Family head—Kinzo. In other words, it could only mean one thing: there was a message from Kinzo inside.
Krauss Ushiromiya and Rudolf Ushiromiya also stared at the envelope with great interest, speaking one after another.
"Why is that kind of envelope here?"
"Now this is something interesting."
"Let me see it too."
"No. Maria has to read it. She said Maria was supposed to read it to everyone."
Hideyoshi Ushiromiya reached out, trying to snatch the envelope from Maria's hands, but Maria hugged it tightly and refused to let him take it.
"Brother-in-law Hideyoshi, you can't force a child. Maria, where did this envelope come from?"
"Beatrice brought it together with the umbrella when she lent Maria one. She said Maria had to read it to everyone after dinner. Maria is the Witch's letter, letter... 'messenger.'"
"A messenger? The Witch on this island is pretty fashionable." Lin Yan