But when she had drawn that second-tier basic circuit just now, the way she distributed the force in her wrist was nothing a novice should possess.
That was muscle memory forged through hundreds of repetitions.
Now, she had reacted so strongly to the weapon of a blacksmith she had never met.
Talia rose to her feet and walked over to Elonore.
"Hold out your hand."
Elonore hesitated for a moment, then extended her right hand.
Talia took her wrist and placed her fingertips over her pulse.
Her heartbeat was racing.
Talia let go.
"What's his name?"
"Su... Su Li."
"Where is he from?"
"A village in the north of the Orenda Kingdom."
"How did you meet him?"
Elonore's lips moved, but no sound came out.
Talia did not press her.
She turned back to the table and picked up the parchment again.
"Do not alert the target after he enters the city. Observe first, then make contact."
She paused, then added, "Elonore, you'll make contact with him."
"Me?"
"Aren't you waiting for him?" Talia said with her back to her. "Now that he's here, go find out what that blade of his really is."
Elonore clenched the guiding needle in her hand.
"Yes."
Talia waved a hand, signaling that she could leave.
Elonore stood and walked to the door, but stopped again.
"Senior Aunt."
"Mm?"
"He... he has two other people with him."
"Who?"
"A red-haired noblewoman, and... a blacksmith's daughter."
Talia turned to look at her.
Elonore lowered her voice even further. "They should both be his... wives."
The workshop fell silent for several seconds.
Violet clicked her tongue, wearing the expression of someone who had bitten into a sour lemon.
Talia showed no reaction.
She merely nodded. "Understood. Go on."
Elonore left.
After the door closed, Violet leaned