This was not the first time Shade had expressed his stubbornness. Though regretful, the witch was not disappointed.
"I'm fine. I'm just an ordinary person. Are you done with the matters at Yodel Palace? I heard in the newspaper that there was an important meeting this afternoon."
"Even an important meeting isn't more important than you."
Miss Galina sized Shade up.
"It seems you don't have any other plans today. In that case, let me comfort you. Come to the banquet with me tonight. I hadn't planned on going, but I remember that we rarely dance together."
That evening's banquet was being held at Willard Manor in the city. Nominally, it was Earl Willard welcoming his relative, Earl Dewey of Kasonlik, to Tobesk.
But Earl Dewey was actually the leader of the second delegation from Kasonlik. His status was roughly equivalent to that of the first delegation's leader, that unpleasant Earl Lewis.
The banquet had actually been arranged at the King's behest. Its purpose was to make private contact with the Kassenric Delegation and finalize the last unofficial "understanding" before the formal Green Lake Negotiations.
Thus, the grand banquet had invited quite a few Kasonlik nobles permanently residing in Tobesk. Even Kasonlik's ambassador to Delarion had accepted the invitation.
This was probably Shade's first time attending such a high-profile banquet as Miss Galina's male companion. While the maids helped him prepare his formal attire at home, Shade had worried that he might see Leisha at the banquet.
Fortunately, Leisha would not be attending this banquet. Only Angelina had been ordered by King Larus III to attend.
Spring had arrived, and an outdoor banquet at the manor no longer had to account for the cold. The ladies' evening gowns were no longer as bulky as they had been in winter.
As