After saying goodbye, the two still walked together for a short distance until Trion's butler came into Dobigny's sight, and then they truly parted ways.
The butler led Dobigny toward another entrance of the palace, while Simon walked alone down the path outside the main gate. Night was falling, and it seemed as though everything was shrouded in a deep blue mist when a burst of girls' laughter suddenly cut across the courtyard and entered Simon's ears.
He immediately glanced sideways, but only saw the brilliant, bright lights shining through the glass windows on the first floor of the palace.
It wasn't until he reached his room that Dobigny realized what that red-haired woman meant earlier by "mind your activity zone." This was not his first time coming here, but it was his first time being restricted in his movements so strictly—at this moment, the palace truly felt like it belonged to those Whale Folk; even Trion himself was forbidden from entering their living quarters and could only visit Arevalo at fixed times every day, accompanied by a designated guide.
Dobigny chuckled upon hearing this, but still nodded cheerfully in agreement. Although his family had long since declined, over the years he had managed to stay close to this circle thanks to his title as a chess teacher. Every once in a while, one or two inexplicable new favorites would always appear in the circle, people who could capture everyone's affection in a short time and use the opportunity to throw their weight around—there had been plenty of things far more absurd than this in the past, so why would he find it strange?
"Teacher!"
Xina's voice came from the other end of the corridor. Dobigny turned back and immediately broke into a warm smile: "Good evening."
"Good evening!"