"To Dorothy" (Part 2)

"Helos Banquet? Midsummer?"

Shade still said he did not understand, then turned to look outside through the small window in front of the desk. It was late autumn, and Tobesk was shrouded in smog, yet it still could not conceal the vivid red sunset. Evening clouds had already appeared on the horizon. From the third floor window, beyond the rooftops of countless homes and above the chimneys belching black smoke, even the clouds had been dyed the color of maple leaves.

"That was before you met Doctor Schneider."

Dorothy spoke softly, her memories returning to that midsummer banquet:

"It was a banquet held by Earl of Helos in the city. The Earl was wealthy and enjoyed extravagant banquets and balls. Princes and Princesses of the royal family had all been invited to those social balls before. Leisha had attended one before leaving for her visit to Kasonlik, and she invited me."

Her voice gradually lowered. Shade understood that before leaving Tobesk, Leisha had wanted to be as close to Dorothy as possible. But they could not approach each other, could not speak, and could not even look at one another from afar.

It truly had been a tremendous regret. No matter how hot the summer night was, no matter how lively the atmosphere at the ball, Leisha Cavendish and Dorothy Louisa could not possibly have been in good spirits that night.

That midsummer banquet had been held at the well-known In The City restaurant, the Sunset Hotel. It was the most upscale restaurant around, but it also hosted banquets and ceremonies. Naturally, entering such a restaurant required formal dress, so with Shade's help, Dorothy spent more than an hour getting changed and putting on makeup.

Shade, meanwhile, had merely changed his coat and trousers—Leisha had also stayed here with Dorothy.