Seeing that it was getting late and Elder Harald still had other matters in town to attend to, Shade bid farewell to the grandfather and granddaughter beneath the setting sun.
But as he carried Little Mia along the town streets, wondering where he should eat tonight since no one was home, the white-haired, petite-looking girl caught up with him.
"Mr. Watson, Miss Reinhart would like to invite you to dinner as thanks for saving her last night."
Since no one was home tonight, and Shade also wanted Little Mia to try the specialty fish dishes at the foot of the Snow Mountain, he agreed.
Snow Mountain Hall, a place meant for banquets, was certainly not suitable for dinner, while eating at the Harpoon Hotel would not seem formal enough. Therefore, Miss Reinhart had reserved a table at a restaurant in the city in advance. After confirming that Shade had accepted the invitation, Miss Larson gave him the restaurant's address and told him that Miss Reinhart would meet him there directly.
Miss Larson also had something she wanted to ask Shade. When he was about to say goodbye, she hesitantly called out to him again.
The two stood in the twilight, beside the wooden sign of Old Gerald's Barber Shop. People passed by all around them, but few looked their way. Miss Larson's white hair was indeed eye-catching, but she had hidden its unusual color beneath a hat and scarf.
The girl's skin was as clear as translucent ice crystal. The unusual color of both her skin and hair further confirmed Shade's suspicion that she had a congenital illness.
"Mr. Watson, Miss Reinhart said you belong to the Blind Sisters, but I heard Elder Harald say today that you might have some connection to the Winter Hymn Choir. Is that true?"