"Mr. Hamilton!"
The young nobleman in a tailcoat called out to Shade, and only then did Shade stop somewhat reluctantly.
"May I ask what this is about?"
"Could I ask you to come over here and speak for a moment?"
His expression was conflicted, but he still pointed toward the southwest corner of the courtyard in front of Yodel Palace. That area was also open for the banquet, but because it was downwind, a great deal of smoke from the fireworks had drifted over there, leaving it mostly deserted.
"What would you like to discuss?"
Shade asked, blinking.
"There are some private matters I would like to discuss with you. Please rest assured, this is Yodel Palace. I will not try anything."
Shade was not actually worried that the other man would try anything. He simply did not want to waste time on other matters. But seeing that Little Dimock seemed fairly sincere, he nodded.
"No problem, but please keep it brief. Sir, this way."
Thus, the two of them left the lively, gas-lamp-lit area in the courtyard before Yodel Palace.
Little Dimock looked burdened with worries. After they rounded a flower bed, the two stopped behind it. The topiaries in the flower bed had been trimmed into the shapes of gun-wielding knights, hiding them in the shadows from everyone else.
"Mr. Hamilton, please allow me to apologize to you. What happened just now was my fault."
He hesitated for a long while before speaking to Shade. The Outlander, who always suspected others, immediately suspected another conspiracy directed at himself, but the man did seem sincere.
"Then I accept your apology."
Shade nodded, thinking of ending this troublesome matter quickly and returning to the second floor.
"I am truly sorry. I lost my head at the time. Before you entered,