"Actually, there's something else I want to ask."
Shade said. Galina Cavendish was in an especially good mood tonight, so she did not blame him for being so unromantic.
"Ask away."
"What exactly does Queen Diana intend to do? Why did she give me something so valuable? I don't believe she has no ulterior motive at all."
"I'm glad you realized that."
Miss Galina said softly. She leaned closer, resting her head on Shade's left shoulder as the two of them slowly swayed to the music.
Because they had turned and changed positions, she could now see Leisha directly. She gave her grandniece a faint smile, and Leisha immediately returned it, though her expression looked unmistakably angry.
"By tomorrow, news of Sachs Cavendish being convicted of treason will probably spread. I don't want to drag you into politics, but there are things you still need to know. Although she is now the queen of Fire Leaper Larus III, she was not his first queen. Nor were all of the current princes and princesses born to her."
"I understand. Using that card was not really meant to win me over, but to show goodwill toward you. Though you do not involve yourself much in politics, as a duchess with real power, your very existence can influence certain matters."
Shade nodded slightly.
"Very good."
She whispered into his ear, her red hair brushing against his cheek.
"I'm glad you understand that. It's hard to imagine that two months ago, you understood nothing, yet now you appear more knowledgeable and clever than anyone your age."
"The time I've lived through has given me strength. My Time Exploration journey differs from that of ordinary investigators."
This was the first time Shade had formally admitted this to Miss Galina.
"So that's how it is."
She