"Meow~"
The sleepy cat by the pillow half-opened its eyes and watched Shade quickly get up, change clothes, and rush downstairs. By the time it padded down the stairs with its tail swishing and leisurely reached the entrance hall, Dorothy had already kissed Shade on the forehead beneath the hall lights.
Her jade-green eyes looked at him.
"You've really worked hard these past few days. It clearly has nothing to do with you, yet you've still been made to run around. Red Butterfly Day is this monday, but Leisha hasn't had the time, so it hasn't started yet. Once this is over, let's go on a happy date for a whole day.
"Well, the chances are slim, but if there happens to be a photograph later, remember not to stand behind Galina. Otherwise, you'll look shorter than her."
She draped a cloak against the cold over Shade's shoulders—though he had no need for it at all—and only sighed in relief after he climbed into the carriage that had come racing to the door.
Wrapped in her own warm robe, she stood at the door and waved goodbye to the departing carriage. At that moment, the neighboring house's door also opened, and Dorothy politely greeted the man inside.
"Sir Smith, you're still awake at this hour?"
The Kingdom's former Chief Secretary of the Treasury was wearing pajamas and a somewhat childish nightcap.
"I was reading tonight. Well, waiting for news about the two new Viscounts at Yodel Palace. When you get old, you can't sleep when something is weighing on your mind."
The old man also gazed at the carriage carrying Shade away.
"Miss Louisa, is it...?"
"Yes."
Dorothy nodded.
"The Cavendish Family is about to gain new members."
The racing carriage swiftly carried Shade into Yodel Palace, and it was