Wait another half hour? More than twenty minutes had already passed since they came in... Another half hour? Are you serious? Klein glanced at Abner a few times and decided that this was probably just how the man was, so he did not ask further.
Abner, who had checked the time, could not be bothered to explain. He busied himself arranging the lounge, then set fire to the gown the Empress had changed out of.
After waiting a while longer, and seeing that the time was about right, Abner lifted the Spiritual Lock and took out documents concerning the Empress's private foundation projects. He put on a show of discussing them with Klein for a few moments before they left the room one after the other at staggered times.
Touching the "Blazing Flame's Resolve" ring on his finger, Klein maintained the habitual posture of the Empress that he had previously studied through videos and headed along the quiet corridor toward the ballroom.
Along the way, servants and maids occasionally passed by, but none dared look directly at Klein. The moment they saw that luxurious evening gown, they stepped aside and lowered their heads in salute.
Probably any lady with a decent bearing could slip straight into the ballroom in this outfit... It had to be said, playing a big shot was sometimes easier than playing an ordinary person...
Klein kept his eyes forward, maintaining the Empress's haughty demeanor as he walked neither too quickly nor too slowly toward the passage paved with black stone tiles.
A melodious tune drifted faintly through the air. Elegant wall lamps on either side burned gaslight, illuminating the dark surroundings.
Just as Klein neared another lounge, he saw its door standing open. A middle-aged man suddenly emerged with a beautiful woman.
The man had brown