Darkness had fallen, swallowing the clamor of the day.
Garris Bangji paced in his guest room, the creaking floorboards grating on his nerves.
It had been three days. That country Baron and Caroline were actually out there playing in the mud with a bunch of broke lords.
'They aren't playing by the rules...'
The feeling of things slipping from his control grew stronger.
His brows furrowed, and he stopped pacing.
His second-in-command, Damon, stood respectfully to the side, not daring to breathe too loudly.
"Any unusual developments recently?"
"Sir, we've already confirmed."
"There are no rumors about sea salt potatoes in any of the major grain markets in the southern Duchy. And that Miss Channing, aside from occasionally spending time with those broke lords these past three days, has had no private contact with anyone from the Seven Ports Alliance."
