In the side hall's kitchen, Gordon hurriedly washed a set of bowls, chopsticks, a knife, and a fork.
His movements were quick but meticulous. He dried them with a clean cloth and held them up to the light, setting them down only after confirming there were no water marks.
He carried the tray out and elegantly arranged the tableware on the table before Boer. Once finished, he adjusted their angles slightly, making the knife and fork parallel to the table's edge and the chopsticks perpendicular to it.
Then he went back and carefully carried out a bowl of snow pear soup to soothe the throat, setting it gently before Uta.
"Er, Lord Boer." Gordon sat down opposite Boer, his hands on his knees, his posture upright and reserved, like an elderly gentleman afraid of giving offense. "What brings you to our shattered kingdom?"
There was puzzlement in his voice.
He truly did not understand. What on this little island could draw the attention of someone powerful enough to reclaim land from the sea? Ruins? Scorched earth? A corner forgotten by the world?
Unless-
Gordon's pupils contracted slightly, but he quickly regained his composure.
Boer put down his knife and fork, wiped the corners of his mouth with a napkin, and nodded gently to Gordon.
"Since you know of me, Mr. Gordon, you must know about the land reclamation work I'm currently carrying out for the affiliated nations."
Gordon hurriedly nodded.
"Yes, of course." His voice carried undisguised admiration. "Your magnificent undertaking moves everyone who hears of it."
Then his expression suddenly dimmed.
His gaze shifted from Boer's face to the charred ruins outside the window.
If only his kingdom had not been destroyed.
If only Elegia were still that Music Country.
Then he would certainly have swallowed his pride and