Tianzi had been kept isolated for so long that, never mind serving as the symbol of a nation, she now struggled to interact with others even as an ordinary person.
Of course, none of that had anything to do with Ask.
Holding a glass of red wine, he entertained the guests who had gathered around to make his acquaintance.
Only Leila followed behind him, acting as his attendant.
He had "sent Monica away" to "maintain friendly relations" with the two Knights of the Round, Gino and Anya.
Her actual objective, however, was to watch Anya. Gino was merely incidental.
When it came to unarmed combat, even Gino and Anya together were no match for her.
Among the Knights of the Round, only Bismarck, Nonette, and Suzaku Kururugi could overpower her bare-handed.
She would not lose to any of the others one-on-one, not even Luciano Bradley, the Tenth Knights of the Round, known as the Vampire of Britannia.
While watching Anya, she was also waiting for Ask's order to "lure her away."
If that failed, she would knock her unconscious and carry her off.
She was waiting, and so was Ask.
Since Lelouch had already come to the Chinese Federation, there was no reason for him to pass up this opportunity.
While Ask entertained the guests, one of Gao Cai's subordinates whispered something into Gao Cai's ear.
Judging by the change in Gao Cai's expression, it was probably bad news.
Leila noticed it too and immediately leaned toward Ask's ear, whispering:
"Your Highness, shall we step away for a moment?"
Ask nodded silently, then exchanged a few words with the guests before following Leila out of the banquet hall.
But just then, a familiar figure slowly entered through the hall's doors, under the bewildered and alarmed gazes of everyone present.
"Zero..."