When Thales summoned up his courage to walk past the heavy layers of guards, he endured pairs upon pairs of eyes, which were fiercer than usual, especially when it came to a warning look from Nicholas. He passed through the heavy, old-fashioned, arched doorway to step into the incomparably familiar Raikaru's Library. Once he did so, the Prince of Constellation fretted over the supposedly casual and relaxed meeting.
'Does Saroma clearly know about the political whirlpool she's in?'
Without her knowledge, the young girl was already part of an inescapable chess game. What she faced were shrewd and ruthless chess players the likes of Lampard, Roknee and the vassals of Dragon Clouds City.
Thales did not know how much Lisban had told her. He also did not know the archduchess' current state. He did not even know what sort of attitude and standpoint he should use to face Saroma, that lady who was once a girl.
