Bonfire Ball

Regardless of the reason, Witches always detested men. Thus, aside from Shade, this was how they treated other men.

"Lady Cassandra."

A flamboyantly dressed middle-aged man entered. His formal red dress uniform was adorned with gaudy medals, and a flower was tucked into his reddish-brown hair. He wore dark red trousers below the waist and white stockings on his legs, the stockings covering the trousers up to his knees in a particularly eye-catching fashion.

He was about as tall as Shade, though somewhat thinner.

"Good evening, Lady Cassandra. Oh, do you have guests?"

This Earl of Darak of Campbell was quite polite. Seeing Miss Aurora seated opposite Grandma Cassandra, he remained at the doorway rather than rashly entering. Of course, he also saw Shade standing by the wall, but quite naturally regarded him as background decoration in the scene.

"Allow me to introduce her. This is Viscount Aurora from Kasonlik."

Grandma Cassandra introduced her.

"Is that Sivie Aurora of the Aurora Family? The elegant Flower of Canberra, the Baroness who rides the ocean."

The earl smiled as he greeted Miss Aurora, who merely gave him a cool nod.

"So, Earl, what brings you here?"

Grandma Cassandra asked again.

"I wished to discuss some business matters with you, but since you have guests, I shall come again later."

He gave the ladies a slight bow, but did not immediately turn to leave. Instead, he removed his gloves and performed an elaborate bow.

"Oh, Miss Aurora of Kasonlik, welcome to Middhir Fort City. Might I have the honor of inviting you for a dance later? We could talk about my holiday estate in western Delarion."

Based on Shade's understanding of Witches, they would probably have politely declined if they were in a reasonably good mood. But this time, Miss Aurora actually turned