"The second clue: the demon is connected to stone."
Haila Osenfott nodded. Only after the maid had left did she speak softly:
"The amulet hanging at your waist is very beautiful."
"Is that so?"
Shade removed the Unicorn amulet and handed it to her. To his surprise, Haila Osenfott took it directly, showing no sign of being harmed.
"I had my fortune told at the Seer Association a few days ago. A beautiful female diviner gave it to me."
He gave the excuse he had prepared long ago:
"I clearly wanted to divine love, but she said I would suffer misfortune soon. So she gave me the amulet she carried with her and invited me to dinner tomorrow."
Madam Osenfott looked at the handsome young man before her, nodded, and returned the amulet. Then she suggested:
"Mr. Watson, my husband will not be back for some time. Would you be interested in taking a walk with me in the back garden?"
It was quite a strange suggestion. Shade had never heard of a host's wife accompanying a guest on a stroll through the garden. But it was certainly not that sort of suggestive invitation, because Haila Osenfott's tone remained as detached as ever.
Shade guessed that she probably wanted to say something to him, but he did not agree at once:
"That seems somewhat inappropriate."
The veiled woman shook her head slightly:
"I will answer some of your questions."
She rose directly to her feet, and Shade set down his untouched teacup and stood as well.
When they opened the door, the maid in an Old Era maid dress was still standing outside. She asked softly:
"Madam, where are you going?"
"I wish to invite Mr. Watson to be my model, so that I may paint a portrait."
The noblewoman