While the whole of Glass Island was still discussing the story of Iver and Aleister, Iver himself had already slipped quietly into Silver and Tin Palace.
After returning from the Arbitration Hall, he had stayed at Moriarty Manor for three days.
Then he received a message—a call had come to Moriarty Manor, asking him to go to Silver and Tin Palace at once.
Iver immediately understood what was going on.
Perhaps because the new minister had been coming so frequently, even the palace servants already recognized him.
This time, when Iver entered the palace, he did not wait in the side hall. Instead, he walked straight in.
Throughout the entire process, no one tried to stop him or even announce his arrival. There was not even the usual body search or other inspections... The process was completely different from when Iver had visited Silver and Tin Palace before.
Normally, even a minister's visit should follow this process. Either the guest would first be led somewhere to rest while waiting for the person they had come to see, or a servant would take the minister directly to the agreed-upon location.
But Isabel's letter had not mentioned where she wanted Iver to meet her... nor had a steward or maid come to lead him there.
In other words, Iver had been granted the privilege of moving freely throughout Silver and Tin Palace.
Without a doubt, Isabel had arranged this in advance.
And Iver instinctively went to Isabel's bedroom first.
When he opened the bedroom door and found it empty, he turned and went to the study.
There were only a few possible rooms, after all. If he did not find Isabel in the study, then she should be in Grandmother's bedroom.
But Iver caught Isabel in the study after all.
"...Huh?"
The