The cheers and excited chatter made Shade's ears ache as he stood amid the scene, unable to take part in it.
Shade wore a grave expression, his eyes fixed straight ahead. Seizing an opportunity, he squeezed backward through the crowd behind him, intending to clear some space, take a few quick steps, then accelerate into a jump and sprint across the street before the carriage procession arrived.
Farther from the procession, a middle-aged man standing a dozen or so people away from Shade slowly withdrew his right hand from the inner pocket of his coat amid the chaos and joy.
His eyes were locked tightly on Queen Diana in the approaching carriage procession. He stared without looking anywhere else.
Miss Bayes and her team members stood at the station entrance, surrounding the Thirteenth Ring Warlock who had come from afar. Her eyesight was excellent, and she immediately spotted the taller Shade in the distant crowd. A smile appeared on her face as she considered whether to say hello.
Doctor Schneider, the Blue Eyes man who had come to watch the excitement with his friends from the psychological clinic at the street corner, also saw Shade. Smiling, he shook his head in admiration, not expecting the detective to enjoy joining the fun as well. He opened his mouth, about to say hello.
Miss Galina, seated beside Queen Diana in the carriage, saw Shade by the roadside. The red-haired Duchess had no intention of greeting him.
Captain Rades on the other side of the street had every muscle tensed as he rushed toward the fat woman, failing to notice Shade.
Mr. Anros, the director of Military Intelligence Section Six within the crowd, noticed Shade from nearby. But since they had only met once, he hesitated before confirming it was him, unable to