With so many people dining together, the table at home was certainly not large enough. Fortunately, when this house had been renovated, extra furniture had been left unused in the basement. Three dining tables floated slantedly up the stairs and were carried upstairs. After the living room furniture was temporarily moved against the walls, the joined tables were enough to seat everyone.
The maids had originally refused to sit with their masters, but under Miss Galina's insistence, they took their seats together. Shade was now quite familiar with the maids of Miss Galina's manor and could recognize most of them, such as the high-ringed Rachel Dreven and the middle-ringed Courtney Michelle.
The sky outside gradually darkened, and the farewell dinner went smoothly. Of course, when the Duchess raised her glass to wish them a safe journey, she particularly emphasized that after arriving at Moon Bay, they were to first obey Shade's orders, then those of Leisha and Head Maid Tifa, and only lastly the orders of the local Great Witch of Fate.
That arrangement was very practical. Shade had long been regarded as the master of Galina Manor, so he did not say any nonsense like "You don't need to listen to me." When Angelina raised her glass to bid farewell to her grand-aunt, however, Miss Galina specifically reminded her:
"Angelina, you're already a seventeen-year-old young lady. My maids will take care of you in Moon Bay, but you must take good care of yourself as well. I'm not sending you to Moon Bay this time because I expect you to make any contribution. I only hope you'll understand exactly what we are about to face."
She had arranged for Angelina to sit beside her, allowing her to reach out and embrace the girl:
"You and Leisha are the young