"Did you agree to her request?"
Afternoon tea consisted of black tea in a silver teapot, carefully baked sandwich biscuits on porcelain plates, and small shrimp pancakes dusted with white icing sugar. Noble ladies cared greatly about the contents of afternoon tea, and top-ranking nobles like Leisha naturally had such habits as well.
The sugar-dusted pancakes were a local specialty of Coldwater Port. As Shade sampled one, he thought Little Mia would like it.
"Agree? Of course I couldn't simply agree right away. I need to consider what exactly the Aurora Family intends to do, and whether it will harm the kingdom."
Holding her teacup, the Princess spoke. She glanced at Shade, who was studying the pastries, then added in a softer voice:
"Besides, her offer wasn't high enough. I wanted thirty percent of her shares in the Coldwater Port Shipyard, and she actually smiled and called me a greedy woman."
"Cough, cough."
Shade, who was eating, choked slightly. Leisha complained about how careless he was and told a maid to pat his back. Shade waved the maid away, lifted his teacup, and took a large gulp, making Her Royal Highness the Princess cover her mouth and laugh softly.
He thought that the witch had already been very polite to say that with a smile.
"Look at this."
Leisha handed him something else from beside her. It was two invitation cards, their surfaces gleaming as though sprinkled with Gold Dust.
"Baroness Sivie Aurora also gave me this specifically. It's an Invitation Letter for tonight's banquet. Shade, are you really not coming with me? I know you don't want people to know you're here, but wearing a mask would be no problem."
"No, that's not the issue. I really just don't want to go."
Shade shook his head firmly. He completely