"She looked a little unwell. That wasn't my fault."
Annan returned to Reynaldo's side.
"Did you step on her foot?"
"No. I don't think so." Annan touched his cheek. "Maybe she just doesn't like the Young Miss Olmedo type... Heh."
Annan chuckled to himself because he had modeled his appearance on Olmedo.
Reynaldo didn't understand. To him, no matter how many honors Annan earned, he was still a young man.
"I kept a few nobles from trying to cozy up to you." Reynaldo picked up a glass of red wine.
"The ones on the list?"
"Yes."
"You really don't intend to spare a single one?"
"That isn't my decision."
Whether they lived depended on what they had done. If any of them had never oppressed civilians and had handed out food for free, Annan would go and apologize in person... But someone like that wouldn't be on the list.
"Many of them really didn't collude with the Blade of Freedom. They didn't have the nerve."
"I know. At worst, I'll apologize to them at their executions?"
Annan and Reynaldo exchanged a smile.
The nobles had no value. Their only value was themselves—
"L-Lord Reynaldo, Young Miss Olmedo..."
A stammering greeting came from nearby. A male noble with a short mustache approached.
Annan set down the wineglass he had been holding for show. "And you are?"
"You don't know?"
A flicker of delight crossed the noble's face, and his back straightened slightly, though he kept his manner deferential. "I've admired you for a long time, Young Miss Olmedo. Please enjoy the banquet."
As if afraid Annan might recognize him, the noble walked away with a spring in his step.
"On the list?"
Reynaldo confirmed Annan's suspicion.
"That settles it. I'll start with him when we get back tonight."
"Isn't that a