A burst of laughter erupted from where the adults were sitting. Kiki looked up toward Hesta. Sister Simoya was loudly protesting something, while everyone seated beside her was laughing happily. Kiki pricked up her ears, trying to understand their language, but Simoya already spoke quickly, and in her excitement, the words that burst from her mouth were like machine-gun fire—Kiki could not understand a single one.
Suddenly, Kiki felt a finger poke her. She turned around and saw Eleven staring at her.
"...What is it?" Kiki asked.
"Why did you come down with Jane just now?" Eleven leaned closer. "What did she want from you?"
"Nothing. She just asked whether there was anything I hadn't gotten used to lately—"
"Why would she ask you that?" Eleven stared intently at Kiki's face. "Did you go talk to her alone before? Whisper about something?"
"...No." Kiki immediately shook her head.
"Don't lie to me." Eleven looked away. "We're good friends, right? You can't lie to me."
"I'm not lying."
"Anyway, you're not allowed to go see her alone," Eleven muttered, holding her bowl. "She is—anyway, you're not allowed to see her. If you have something to say, just tell me."
"Got it," Kiki replied softly.
Late at night, Hesta took a walk alone outside the palace. She had moved here several days ago, and during that time she had seen Ligo only once. She knew Ligo was carrying out her duty of monitoring Arevalo, but such a prolonged absence seemed only to suggest that the rainy night of fire still had not passed.
Hesta was restless. So many matters weighed on her mind—Madam Bronbo's property, Kovishik's aid funds, further negotiations with Office No. 2, the next round of talks with Boheng, the aftermath of the farm arson case, Kiki's relationships... and