After temporarily parting with Baron Lavend and his friends, Shade followed a servant upstairs. The first and second floors were both laid out like Great Banquet Halls, but the third floor returned to an ordinary arrangement, with rooms lining either side of a corridor.
Miss Galina and Maid Tifa were waiting for Shade in the study near the stairs. Shade noticed that this witch seemed to enjoy speaking with people in studies.
"Good evening, Miss Galina."
This time, they met face-to-face rather than through a door. The red-haired Duchess sat behind the desk, while her personal maid, Tifa Servit, stood beside her. The Duchess wore a black-and-white evening gown and looked even more beautiful than she had during their last meeting. Dressed like this, Shade guessed she would be appearing in public later as well.
"Good evening, Detective."
She gestured for Shade to find a seat.
The conversation did not begin immediately. Miss Galina studied Shade curiously before speaking.
"I truly never expected that you knew Leisha as well."
"Who? Oh, Princess Leisha Cavendish. Yes, I know her. Yes, I know her."
He had not yet figured out what was going on, so he could only go along with her words.
"Congratulations, Detective. A great surprise awaits you tonight. Care to guess what it is?"
Miss Galina asked. Sitting on the sofa, Shade immediately thought of what Mr. Anros had said that morning. But before Shade could guess, Miss Galina directly gave him the answer.
"A Knight Title that has not been bestowed for hundreds of years is going to be granted once again."
She spoke softly, then watched with satisfaction as confusion and surprise appeared on Shade's face.
"A Knight Title? Me?"
Shade had truly not expected this surprise. A knightly title hardly suited the backdrop of the Steam