"Yes, the Duchess and I are indeed very close."
After thinking it over, Shade nodded and put on an embarrassed expression as well:
"She even stayed overnight at my home on Thursday night. But please don't tell anyone else, especially Annette and Professor Louisa from our group. If you need the Duchess's influence to help the Academy with something, leave it to me. I can make use of Galina's authority and wealth."
Professor Andore's mouth twitched, and he hurriedly shook his head.
"No, no, there's no need for that at the moment. The Academy is investigating a group of highly dangerous Sorceresses. Aside from Duchess Galina Cavendish, are there any Personal maids around her who might use her identity to get things done and seem suspicious? For instance, someone openly hostile toward you, or someone important whose identity you barely remember."
Shade thought for a moment.
"Probably not. They're all quite interested in me. The last time I bathed at the Duchess's estate, those maids weren't important either."
He gave an awkward smile, using that method to clear Miss Galina of suspicion. It proved effective. Professor Andore did not seem inclined to press further. Though surprised by the complicated private life of the handsome young man before him, this also ruled out the possibility that Galina Cavendish or one of the maids around her was a member of the Witch Council.
Since the questioning involved the other members of the group, the conversation with Shade lasted longer than half an hour. Still, Shade felt that his answers had been quite good.
After the questioning ended, the five members of the group would not know what the Academy thought of them. The three investigators would remain in Tobesk for another week, and the results of this investigation were expected next week.