"No, I had never heard of the House of Resurrection. Not at any banquets, afternoon teas, art exhibitions, or lectures."
After leaving the ship and boarding Shade's little boat again, Leisha immediately said to Shade and Dorothy:
"But there are indeed many small circles among Tobesk's aristocracy. This may be one of them."
Dorothy sat across from her, while Shade stood at the stern, poling the boat along. The setting sun had dyed the entire sea surface red. The distant Snow Mountain did not seem particularly towering from here, but the scenery was still beautiful.
They had remained aboard the ship for quite a while longer just now, gathering more information. The pleasure boat carrying the Viscount's group was now preparing to return, so they had also left that vessel and were heading back.
"Still, I really find it hard to imagine that after Miss Lavend died of illness, Viscount Alfield actually used a doppelganger to 'resurrect' her? That really is..."
The blonde, blue-eyed Miss Writer sighed.
"Is that just deceiving himself?"
Leisha held a different view.
"I think Viscount Alfield wanted to 'resurrect' Miss Lavend probably not because of emotional reasons—or rather, not solely because of emotional reasons. Although the family of Baron Lavend, Shade's friend, does not hold a high title, they are one of the major players in Tobesk's antique trade.
This marriage between the Alfield Family and the Lavend Family was, to a great extent, an exchange of interests. The Lavend Family needed the Alfield Family's foreign trade channels, while the Alfield Family needed the assistance of an unrelated family with considerable financial strength but little political influence."
She looked toward the distant Snow Mountain.
"So Miss Lavend's death was something many people did not wish to see. I do not know how many people are