Hearing this greeting, baffling to everyone else yet terrifying to the person involved, Tales involuntarily twitched the corner of his mouth.
Kotrina Corleone...
Seven years ago, that horrifying night in Birch Forest returned to his mind, and Tales could only force himself not to touch his neck.
Li Corleone bowed again, respectful and proper, yet radiating an inexplicable chill. "Please forgive me. For reasons known to all, I can only visit Empty Palace on suitable nights, hence my late audience."
Jann looked at Tales, then at the Blood Race count before him, deep in thought.
"Good, very good, extremely good." Tales coughed. "Well, Her Majesty Kotrina and I—"
"We admire each other, and our friendship will last forever." Li spoke decisively, leaving no room for objection. He pulled a letter from his robes. "I hereby present Her Majesty's letter."
Mutual admiration.
A friendship that would last forever.
Tales bit his lip. In a complicated mood, he squeezed out a smile and reached for the letter under Jann's strange gaze.
"Her Majesty also asked me to bring you a message." As if that still wasn't enough, Li continued, "The pact of the Inland Sea remains unforgotten."
Tales's expression stiffened.
"The Inland Sea? What Inland Sea?" Jann couldn't help asking.
Sunset, couldn't I stop getting involved with these blood-drinkers?
"About that, uh..."
The Prince looked at the Blood Fang emblem on the letter and gave an awkward chuckle.
"I don't have to read it now, do I? Do I need to write back after reading it? Who do I send it to? Is there a designated Messenger Crow? Or a directional stone at the rookery?"
But Li turned directly to the other side and ignored him completely.
"Jian Cavendish."
The Duke of South Bank nodded amiably in response.
"Count Li. Or, the