In the city of Myrefall, which is a few miles away from the capital, in the mansion of the Kalmivs, Dale was in his office, standing near the window that overlooked the large, well-decorated courtyard with a huge fountain and various flowering bushes.

The sky was gray and cold. Perfectly reflecting the winter atmosphere.

The marquis gazed at the landscape in silence until he was pulled out of his thoughts when someone knocked on the door.

he ordered, sighing and rubbing his temples.

It was Roshua who entered the room. He was dressed in a white shirt, black pants and a pair of boots of the same color. The young man advanced slowly towards his master before bowing to him.

he greeted with a cold expression on his face.

he replied.

Dale turned to his servant before walking over to his desk and sitting down.

he asked, putting his elbows on the desk and crossing his fingers under his chin.

The marquis' eyes widened in surprise before he straightened himself up to look at the young man straight in the eye.

he wondered.

Dale clenched his fists really hard in anger before hitting the hard surface of the desk violently.

he growled.

The young servant looked down at the floor thoughtfully.

the marquis added angrily.

said the young man.

he asked in disgust.

he answered, handing the item to him by placing it on the desk.

wondered the marquis, taking and examining the white envelope.

Dale opened the envelope slowly and unfolded the sheet inside before reading its contents.

┌─────── ∘◦❁◦∘ ───────┐

Meet me tonight at 8 p.m.

at our usual place. I have something

important to tell you.

Don't be late.

You know that I hate that.

└─────── ∘◦❁◦∘ ───────┘

The Marquis smirked before putting the letter back in the envelope. Then, he put it in his desk drawer and locked it.

Roshua asked.

The young servant stayed silent for a moment.

he bowed before leaving the room.

══════ ∘◦❁◦∘ ══════

Back in Lemgan city, in the house of Alastair and Sofia, the small group gathered after lunch in the small living room. The little Suzie was taken to her bedroom to take her nap.

Alastair summed up.

Luana replied.

Lucas added.

the doctor wondered.

Lucas said.

Luana affirmed.

The doctor stayed silent for a moment, deep in thought.

the princess asked.

he explained.

Sofia added.

Lucas concluded.

Alastair confirmed.

Sofia remarked.

Alastair whispered, thoughtfully.

the old lady suggested.

replied the doctor.

Lucas retorted.

Sophia asked.

Alastair said.

Silence settled in the room.

Luana said.

the young captain wondered.

Luana suggested.

Lucas agreed.

Alastair added.

asked the young princess curiously.

she asked, completely confused.

A short silence settled. It was the young girl who broke it with a small sigh.

Lucas added.

Arthur muttered in amazement.

Lucas asked.

Sofia remarked.

Luana exclaimed.

Lucas asked.

The old lady remained silent for a moment, thinking.

Luana begged.

Alastair said with a grave tone.

══════ ∘◦❁◦∘ ══════

Once the night has fallen, Dale got into his carriage to drive to the center of Myrefall city.

Half an hour later, the carriage pulled up in front of an old building in a dark, lonely alley. A very uncrowded place. The lord got out of the car and walked slowly to the front door and knocked on it softly.

A few minutes later, a middle-aged man came to open the door for him before letting him in without saying a word.

The interior of the house was cold and damaged. The walls were cracked on all sides and the floor was very fragile.

Dale growled in displeasure.

He walked a little further down the dark hallway which was lit by small candles before turning to the man who opened the door for him.

he asked coldly.

the other replied with a stern look.

Dale kept walking ahead while complaining about the state of the house. Arriving at the door of the designated room, he opened it gently before entering.

Inside was just a small table with a small lantern on it, and two wooden chairs on each side, facing each other. One was occupied by a person who wore a black cape with a hood covering his face.

Looking at the person in front of him, the Marquis smirked.

The person said nothing and kept on staring at the table.

Dale walked over to the chair intended for him before sitting down. The person in front of him lifted his head before slowly lowering his hood to reveal his face.

Short brown hair, slightly grizzled at the ends because of age. Hazel eyes. Slightly pale skin with a few visible wrinkles on the forehead and the corners of the eyes.