"This really is a surprising gift."
As he spoke, Shade took out the tie. The Red-haired Witch wore a faint smile.
"There's one more thing—after the Year-End Festival, Tifa and I are going back to Saladir County for a while."
Shade immediately looked up at her in surprise. Miss Galina explained:
"After all, I've remained in Tobesk for the past half year. Although Saladir County has female officials I trust deeply managing affairs, and documents have continually been sent over, I still haven't shown myself there in person. If not for the matter of Pantanal, I had planned to return for the Year-End Festival."
"About how long until you return?"
Shade asked, doing his best not to show too much regret.
"About one or two months."
She gave a rather broad estimate, but Shade could understand. Though Saladir County was nominally still part of the kingdom and had not yet become an independent duchy, thanks to Miss Galina's methods and Saladir County's history, its taxation and military management had essentially achieved semi-independence.
Therefore, when addressing Miss Galina, the more common title was "Grand Duchess." If the Steam Epoch had not strengthened economic exchange throughout the kingdom, Saladir County might very well have already become an independent duchy.
The current king had no objections to this. Naturally, that was not merely because Miss Galina was his aunt, but also because a previous king had agreed to it long ago.
And Leisha's hostility toward Miss Galina stemmed from Miss Galina's attempt to "split the kingdom."
"Come back as soon as you can. I'll miss you."
Shade said, setting down the tie and restraining the unruly cat. He pressed his lips together before asking:
"When are you leaving?"
"Tomorrow night, I'll attend a royal banquet at Yodel Palace. On the third day of