The princess smiled at the startled Shade, then gestured for him to sit and speak:
"Since we happened to meet here, would you like to watch the opera together?"
Other than her, there were only maids in the private box. This time, Angelina Cavendish had come to the opera alone.
But she probably did not know that Shade was waiting for her elder sister and genuinely wanted to invite him to watch the opera with her. Otherwise, she would never have asked him to stay.
Shade himself did not really want to become involved with more Cavendishes, since that would lead to a great deal of trouble. He wanted to find an excuse to decline her invitation, but perhaps seeing through his intentions, Princess Angelina added:
"Knight, do you have other companions? Or are you waiting for someone? Oh, it's all right. You can invite them to join us."
Angelina Cavendish's attitude was extremely sincere, and Shade found it hard to refuse again. But recalling Leisha's message that she would not arrive for at least another half hour, he said:
"All right, Your Highness, but I can only stay for half an hour. I have other matters to attend to later. I only came to watch the opera today because I accepted a commission."
"No problem, but you must attend my salon next time. My friends are very interested in you."
The sixteen-year-old princess said happily. Then she gestured for Shade to sit down, instructed her maids to pour tea, and had them bring out fresh biscuits.
Compared to the opera, their conversation was what truly interested Shade.
Although outsiders viewed Princess Angelina as the sort of princess deeply favored by the king, one who lingered at banquets and salons while waiting for Larus III to marry her off in