Chapter 20 (1/2)

The House of Ende were once vassals to the House of Montchat

However, their ti the age where Sonnelicht was constantly at ith its neighbours, the Montchat famatic role in service of the croith the Ende family as their aides

These days, however, the Ende fah it was small, the Ende family did hold some territory of its own and used that land to launch their own enterprise, no longer relying on the financial support of the Dukes of Montchat

Still, the Ende family keeps the old traditions they held with the Montchat family alive Ende family members are often sent to work for the Montchat lords But noas for the sake of a business relationshi+p, not any sort of inter-familial intimacy It had been a practice for er family members to be servants or attendants at the Montchatnalected as business partners”

After they returned to his office, Alois said that with a sigh of resignation

As he sluned to hold his weight, his clothes were da didn't stop as he shi+fted uncomfortably in his seat

When Camilla sat in the small chair in front of the desk, she simply scowled at hi but breathe deeply, keeping her tongue behind her teeth Still, even Alois felt a little cowed by that intense aura of intimidation

The rivalry between Liselotte and Camilla over the Prince's love had becohter of Count Stor a vilified person throughout the capital Nevertheless, the exporting business of Count Storm couldn't be cast aside so easily, especially since his territory's signature brand of as deeply popular

Business links between faht becoo after her family when their own profits would suffer for it The trust built up over generations of cordial business relationshi+ps weren't bonds that could be shattered so easily The Stor… She had learned that from the dribs and drabs of news that found their way to this land This year's vintage actually enjoyed e or potentially sever relations with the Ende faenerations, all solely for the sake of Camilla? As a duke, Alois couldn't take such a rash and self-destructive action like that To weigh Caainst an entire house, it was as clear as day which relationshi+p was more important

Not to mention, until very recently, Alois hiood impression of Camilla He had tried to keep her placated at first, but they had finally co, so at the very least that was a step forward?

“In the Ende faical powers are relatively co new e for preferential rates on e with us a member of their family… That's how it has always been between us”

That's how Nicole caht not be skilled, she should be useful for her high ical power is ic in the miasma

But, Camilla isn't interested in the practical side of it

“…Do you know Liselotte?”

Caled to keep a lid on her passions as she asked that Since Alois has already given up trying to hide it fro obediently

“She used to come and play here quite a lot in the old days I've hardly spoken with her since then, though, and I can barely remember her face either”

“In the old days…”

“It has already been over ten years now”

Alois doesn't actually remember exactly when it was that he last saw her

He barely recalled anything about the girl he hadn't seen in over a decade Although he met often within the capital for years now There were precious few ti Alois rarely leaves his own lands

The way Alois spoke about her now, his voice was as dry and flavourless as if he were talking about so If it was a person who had left a strong ih in his speech Perhaps it really is true that they haven't met in years and he barely ree the truth that they were once quite fairl, even back then”

-At least, on face value

She kept that part to herself

What's more, Camilla herself ell aware of just how loaded that sentence was

Liselotte was definitely cute Her bright blonde hair looked soft to the touch, she had a petite and delicate figure and was a girl who seemed quiet and polite when you first met her But, she was unexpectedly a person full of cheerful laughter, as well as a slight mischievous streak She wasn't naturally a beauty that would turn heads wherever she went, but her underlying cutenessthat could easily be polished until it gleamed

She wasn't a truly bad person, but she was no saint either She kne to curry favour, when to nod along quietly and when to lavish someone in praise… What's more, she was an incredible actor

She rarely shed tears, but that only made the times that she wept all the more impactful At other times, she would suddenly show off an expression far beyond her years, as if that ge shi+ne