"Also, Leisha asked me to ask you: are you planning to sign up for the Tobesk Spring Horse Racing?"
Dorothy asked again. Shade had heard about the spring horse racing back in the autumn of the Year 1853, at the racetrack outside the city:
"If nothing comes up by then, of course I'll participate. I've completely mastered horseback riding this winter. I'm especially confident in long-distance racing across difficult terrain."
"Good. I'll remind you when there's news. The prizes every year are actually quite good, though what the participants value most is the prestige."
Dorothy looked at Shade with her emerald eyes.
"Knight, if you can place in the top three, I can play some interesting games with you afterward."
A foot brushed against Shade beneath the table. Shade blinked.
"Did you also read those illegal publications of Angelina's that Leisha confiscated?"
Dorothy's smile did not change.
"I'm not coming tonight. You and your cat can stay home by yourselves."
"I—"
"I really do have something to do. An elective course exam."
She kissed Shade on the cheek.
Coming from Tobesk to Randall River Valley, the perceived temperature dropped by roughly three degrees.
That cat, who became lazy after eating her fill, really did curl up in Shade's arms and refuse to come out, just as he had expected. By the time Shade arrived at the Wilde Opera House, he had even briefly considered leaving her there for the young ladies of the opera troupe to look after. But compared to going out into the countryside, Little Mia hated being left behind by Shade in an unfamiliar place even more.
This time, four people were heading to the Black Night Spirit Temple together: Shade, Luvia, Miss Lathers, and Miss Benanis.
The two leaders of Golden Dawn had both temporarily left