Grand Knight Territory, Victoria Embassy.
Duke Caster, awakened by a servant's report, was forced to leave her dreams behind, a trace of regret in her eyes.
In the dream that had yet to fade, her fleet still existed, the Iron Duke was beneath her feet, and even Londinium's throne had submitted to her power...
Unfortunately, it had all been a dream.
Quickly shaking off her regret, Duke Caster draped on her coat and signaled to the servant beside her with her eyes.
"It is Lord Enciodes."
"Oh? My dear grandnephew?"
Interest surfaced in Kester's eyes.
Coming to disturb her at this hour, it seemed her dear grandnephew had run into quite a significant problem.
As she headed for the reception room, Kester began thinking out of habit.
He had rejected her hints so many times before. What kind of trouble could make Enciodes, now one of Kazimierz's foremost elites, lower himself enough to seek her out?
Looking at it another way, since he had come to her, there must be something she possessed that he could use.
But her power was now all but gone. What bargaining chip did she still have at her disposal?
Upon reaching the reception room, Kester pushed open the doors. Before the smile on her face could even settle, she was interrupted by a stranger.
"My apologies, Your Grace."
Gnosis bowed humbly, though there was no hint of apology on that gloomy face of his.
"Because of a matter of considerable importance, Enciodes has already departed. I can only convey the relevant matters on his behalf."
Kester's smile swiftly faded. Even in decline, she was still one of the Eight Dukes.
Perhaps her recent friendliness had given them the wrong idea. They actually stood her up after leaving behind nothing but a servant?
"I believe