The City Lord's Banquet

So Olmedo wanted Annan to appear at the City Lord's banquet the day after tomorrow and show the public that there was no conflict between the Reeves Family and Olmedo Family. That would help restore order to Breeze City and stamp out the breeding ground for unrest.

On the surface, Olmedo and Annan stood on similar footing—Olmedo held real power, while Annan held an exalted position. But Olmedo should know who Annan really was.

"I need to think about it."

"I'll be waiting for you at the banquet."

Annan looked at the invitation Olmedo had left behind. Francois looked at Annan.

"Are you going to accept?"

The young City Lord seemed to share Annan's goal: both were investigating the truth behind the attack on the Reeves Family.

And a formal banquet was the perfect place for Annan to make his name known.

"What about you?" Annan asked.

"I'll take that Black Crow Badge and investigate with the Street Sweepers," Francois volunteered.

But Della wanted neither to join the Street Sweepers' investigation nor to attend the banquet in two days.

"I need your help..." Annan raised his dark eyes to Della, almost pleading. "The banquet could be dangerous."

"...All right."

A Carriage waited at the foot of the Steps.

Annan stood in the Living Room with one arm raised while the Head Maid smoothed the wrinkles from his formalwear.

Abby held a full-length mirror in front of him. Beneath his neat Black Hair, an old-fashioned, wine-red banquet outfit with cord fastenings complemented Annan's quiet bearing. It was hard to dislike him when he looked at you with those clear black eyes.

Lady Fine Wine had rushed to make the outfit after hearing Annan would attend the City Lord's banquet. Peterlia Reeves, one of the former Twelve Kings of the North,