Ed didn't want to see anything lively, but he wouldn't let him go. Pen @ fun @ pavilion wWw. ｂｉｑUｇE。 ｉｎｆｏ

Before dark, he received an unexpected invitation - Moira sent someone to invite him and Naria to a dinner party in Lockburg to celebrate Frederick's return.

The Queen Mother even thoughtfully presented Naria with a delicate dress. Naria only glanced at it and refused without hesitation.

"It's okay not to wear a dress. The young messenger was a round-faced maid, with a dimple on her right cheek when she laughed, and a little childish between her eyebrows, but she saw through Naria's resistance at a glance.

Naria hesitated. It seemed too rude to say no again, but she couldn't stand the kind of "dinner party" that took her breathless...... Suffice it to have that experience with Llewellyn.

She glanced at Ed, who seemed even more hesitant.

He knew he shouldn't say no. But he was the one who almost killed Ante...... Even if Moira could forgive him, would the little king really welcome a "guest" like him?

In the end, what made him decide was the words of Filly before leaving.

She looked really upset. ”

If Moira needs help...... He would never refuse.

Eventually, Nalya reluctantly put on the long dress—none of her simple and convenient clothes were suitable for the occasion. The blue dress was made of elaborate materials, but the style was very simple, and most importantly, it spread loosely around the waist, not at all like the one she had worn, which would have broken her if she had breathed a sigh of relief.

But it's a little too thin...... Naria always felt as if she was wearing nothing, and she was nervous unconsciously.

Ed could feel her tense muscles from the arm that held him, and his heart was full of mixed feelings. It all happened yesterday...... Like last time, she still looked like she was ready to fight, not a drink and a dance.

He didn't dare to ask her if she remembered how to dance...... Asking such questions is self-inflicted.

There are a lot of people, which saves a lot of trouble. Ed wasn't sure what expression he would see on that growing old face when his name was pronounced aloud and saluted him in front of the little king.

Yes, Frederick looked calm and polite, like two people to the somewhat arrogant boy he remembered. But he was still as unpleasant to talk as Filly had complained before, and there was always something unsettling in his eyes under his unchanging smile.

There are many things that can usually be seen on such occasions...... If Ed hadn't been wandering all the time, thinking about his unfinished calculations.

When he saw Nick Stopbel, he even had the urge to run up and talk to him. The mage no longer concealed his identity, and shuttled through the crowd with ease, smiling neither humble nor arrogant. His strength and knowledge are unquestionable...... But Ed doubts that he will be willing to communicate with him.

After the successful destruction of the ritual under the preaching of Count Hereford, the mage from Neo, a disciple of Kerman Santo, was revered among the nobility and became famous. But he probably knew very well that he was being used by Scott...... And Ed is clearly an accomplice.

He'd better not be bored.

“...... Is it possible that the guy stole Helena?"

Naria whispered in his ear.

They are looking at the same person, but thinking about completely different issues.

But Naria's speculation was justified - at least the warriors who were left behind were a lot like "spiders...... The only one who survived, until now, not a word has been spoken.

Ed thought blankly, his gaze unconsciously skimming over the crowd...... A familiar figure burst into his sight.

It was a white-haired old man, standing there unobtrusively, with a thin and upright face full of wrinkles, and a look of indifference, with a hint of arrogance and impatience—the arrogant old scholar that a little king had brought back from nowhere...... Probably everyone thinks so.

Ed chilled for a moment, as if all the blood was rushing up to the top of his head, and he was pumped clean again.

"What's wrong with you?"

Naria quickly noticed something strange about him.

"Uh...... A little dizzy?" said Ed.

He didn't lie...... He was really dizzy.

“...... You've got to eat something. Without saying a word, Naria snatched his glass and walked briskly to the long table on the other side of the hall, her long blue dress rippling behind her.

The dinner hadn't started yet, but there were snacks and fruit on the long table. Ed remembered that he had indeed forgotten to eat lunch...... But he wasn't dizzy because of this.

He cowered in the shadow of the curtains, and watched the old scholar come casually, his mind empty, but his heart was beating heavy and violent, and his chest ached.

The old man stopped in front of him and nodded to him reservedly. He returned the salute more humbly, but the words he uttered were something else entirely.

"How dare you ......," he suppressed anger in his low voice.

"I need to get into Lockburg, and that's the easiest way to do it. Jay Oylan looked at him calmly, his tone as flat as if he were talking about something as boring as "the weather is nice today."

"This is not Black Castle. Blood rushed upwards, and Ed didn't know how he could have the guts to threaten Oylan, "You don't come and go so easily...... It's not that easy to control anyone. ”

"Don't be so nervous. Oylan still looked indifferent, "I'm not going to deal with anyone...... As long as no one stands in my way. ”

He nodded to him again and walked away unhurriedly.

"What did he tell you?"

Fili, who staggered to Ed's side, asked casually.

Ed just shrugged. He couldn't answer...... He could also tell that Filly didn't really want to know the answer.

"The little king has brought back a lot of people. Filly grumbled with some disgrief, "Although a few of them look pretty good...... Most of them are probably useless except for supporting the scene like today. ”

He apparently classifies Oylan as a "useless man" as well...... Ed sincerely hoped so.

"Be careful. Fili leaned into his ear, "Something is wrong...... I haven't figured out what's wrong, though. ”

He patted Ed on the shoulder and went on to do his duty.

Is it "wrong"...... Ed thought with mixed feelings, and couldn't help but smile bitterly at himself.

If there's something "right" now, that's really wrong......

He suddenly couldn't wait to leave, he didn't have much use here...... Moira smiled a little tiredly on the throne, but that was all—maybe she didn't need his help.

He looked up at Moira above the crowd. As if sensing his gaze, Moira glanced back at him and nodded slightly.

She really needed his help.

.