Didn't you say you wouldn't lie this time?
That meant not hiding my relationships with them. I don't want to say I knew she was a Witch yesterday—that would make me seem insincere.
Shade silently answered in his heart, and "she" merely laughed.
"I am Flora Winslet."
The lady standing before the window introduced herself in flawless Kartherian Language, studying Shade with interest.
"Good morning, Mr. Hamilton. Or should I say, Sir Hamilton of Leijed?"
"You know me?"
Shade frowned slightly and looked at Miss Danist beside him. She shook her head.
"I didn't tell her who you were. She guessed who you were the moment she heard your name."
"Though you disguised your face, such handsome features and such a distinctive air, combined with the name 'Shade' and the Delarion Language you used while speaking—put all those traits together, and the conclusion was easy to reach."
She tilted her head up slightly. Miss Sylvia and Margaret shared her accent, yet this Witch's voice possessed the beauty of a babbling clear spring.
"And because of my profession, I pay close attention to the literary and artistic scene in your Northern Kingdom. Quite unfortunately for you, Detective, I have read the Delarion edition of the Detective Hamilton Story Collection and seen your photographic silhouette in the newspapers."
"All right then. Good morning, Miss Winslet. May I take everything you just said as a 'thank you for saving me'?"
Shade asked. Miss Danist nearly laughed aloud, while the Witch frowned slightly.
"So you really don't know who I am. Didn't Galina tell you anything?"
Seeing Shade raise an eyebrow, she pointed at herself.
"Eighth seat of the Witch Council, the Great Witch of Death, Flora Winslet. Eleventh Ring sorceress."
As she spoke, she walked over to Shade and held out her hand.