His Brain Was Caught in a Door

"Want to go shopping together tonight?"

Albert cleared his throat, trying to shift everyone's attention so the previous topic would not make things awkward for them all.

"It isn't very safe here at night, especially for outsiders." Catherine deliberately lowered her voice, as though worried someone else might overhear what they were discussing. "And many of the goods in Khan el-Khalili Square are shoddy items prepared by locals for wizard tourists. They're not only expensive, but absolute rubbish."

"That's normal. No matter where you go, there are always people ripping off tourists. Expecting merchants to have a conscience is far too difficult." Albert was not surprised. He had seen plenty of such things in his previous life. Talking conscience with merchants was less useful than talking money.

"You really seem to know everything." Valeria winked at Albert and asked with a smile, "But I'm actually more curious whether you know that Catherine likes you too?"

The atmosphere around them suddenly became rather strange.

"I'm honored." Albert nodded and smiled at Catherine.

Well, when he had gone to America last time, he had vaguely sensed something like that. Perhaps it did not count as liking him, but there was at least some fondness.

Just as men naturally felt affection for beautiful, gentle, kind women, women naturally felt affection for handsome, mild-mannered, talented, wealthy men.

Still, he had never dreamed Valeria would say it outright in front of Isobel. Was she trying to stir up trouble? Catherine said nothing, merely glaring at Valeria in dissatisfaction, as though saying, "It's one thing for you to be in heat yourself. Don't drag me into it."

As one of those involved, Isobel remained calm throughout, completely unconcerned by Valeria's little schemes. She had noticed long ago that both Valeria and Catherine had feelings for Albert.