Grand Duke of Laggson was exactly fifty this year, which counted as an advanced age in this day and age. He was a prosperous-looking old gentleman with a large belly, wearing a black silk top hat, leaning on a golden metal cane, and sporting two very interesting white mustaches.
As the host of the banquet, he said a few words before it began. He did not mention anything like "peace and development," merely expressing his hope that everyone would enjoy the scenery of the Laggson Duchy and saying that it was fortunate to be able to gather together amid the current tensions.
Grand Duke of Laggson was quite capable. From his speech, Shade realized that the old gentleman genuinely wanted to mediate the conflict between the two nations and reduce the likelihood of war. Although his chances of success were not great, that did not stop Shade from feeling respect for him.
Margaret's brother, Prince Samuel, had indeed appeared as well. Shade spotted him from afar but did not approach. The Prince of Delarion whose name Shade could not remember, on the other hand, seemed very low-key. He probably knew that this island trip would not yield any results.
As Miss Reinhart's male companion, Shade had given the witch plenty of face, which instead made Miss Reinhart feel a little embarrassed. After all, she had been the one to invite Shade, yet he was the one helping her.
Thus, she planned to have several proper dances with Shade during the final dancing portion of the banquet. But midway through the event, the Marquise of Chomondley invited her and several noblewomen who had graduated from the same school to share some secrets. This was a reunion of the old "Sisterhood." Shade tactfully took his wineglass and temporarily moved away from them,