As the Federation airship gradually flew back, Robes woke from his sleep in the central cabin.
Because he had taken medicine beforehand, he had slept very soundly.
He greatly admired a politician from the Noyorians' classical era, one who could sleep peacefully even at the height of war.
He especially revered the saying, "When matters are not mine to cling to, the heart may rest at ease." Leave professional matters to professionals. Once every arrangement had been made in advance, all that remained was to wait for the result.
He sat up in bed and pulled the bell cord. A young maid entered from outside, gently wiping his face with a warm towel steamed beforehand while giving him a simple head massage. Once the grogginess of waking had been dispelled, she shaved and groomed his face, then took out skincare cream and repeatedly massaged it into his cheeks.
Five minutes later, he rose looking refreshed and went to the washroom to rinse himself off. By the time he emerged, his discarded clothes had been taken away, while ironed and neatly folded garments had been placed in order atop the dressing cabinet. At that moment, soft classical music began playing outside.
He picked up the glasses on the stand, wiped the lenses himself, and put them on before checking the time. Exactly nine o'clock. Mm, precisely an hour and a half had passed since he went to sleep.
He stepped out of the inner room in high spirits. The beautiful veiled woman was still sitting there, now meticulously tending to her nails, as if she had not moved at all.
He walked over and sat down, picking up the invigorating drink the maid had prepared and taking a sip.
"How is it? Did they take it?"
He remembered that when he