Everything unfolded just as Arevalo had promised. The old Governor personally introduced several of his former subordinates to Hesta. People watched Hesta's reaction—the young Inspector showed none of the humility expected of a junior. She merely sat there, waiting for people to approach before shaking their hands.
Arevalo offered no further indication either, as if tacitly accepting that this was not an overstep. This led every onlooker to quietly speculate about Hesta's relationship with the Governor.
During the meal, the ladies began chatting with Stella, leaving her almost no chance to touch the food on her plate. Hesta, meanwhile, found moments of peace to chew amid the socializing.
Arevalo sat there distractedly, considering how he should make his request of Hesta later. A young noble seated diagonally across from him kept glancing at Hesta's knife and fork. At a moment when she had swallowed her food but had not yet lifted her fork again, he spoke at just the right time. "I heard you seem to be living nearby?"
"Yes." Hesta glanced across at him. "At a farm nearby."
"This is quite far from the City Center. What made you move here?" the young noble asked with a soft laugh. "Are you especially fond of nature?"
"Not really." Hesta cut another slice of meat. "I had someone look into it. The Feng Shui here is good."
The entire table fell silent for a moment.
"Feng Shui..." Arevalo murmured the unfamiliar term as though it were a spell.
"Have you heard of it, Governor?" Hesta looked toward the old man.
"It seems to be a field of study about which direction you should place your bed in so you can sleep better at night..." the old man said. "You believe in that?"
"It's more than that." Hesta suddenly opened up, plainly