‘Galileo? What is he up to?’

Currently, the Tzepes Kingdom was in a form where military and political powers were separated, and the authority was largely divided into two.

The Royal Knights led by Walter were operating the military, and the Council of Elders, consisting of nobles, was in charge of the actual administration. Galileo was also the leader of the pureblood faction, serving as the chairman of this Council of Elders.

‘It’s strange to meet so suddenly when we’re not even acquaintances.’

The Turner family, to which Galileo belonged, was a family that had been in charge of the position of a leader when the royal magic team that had disappeared into history still existed, and they had produced many individuals with excellent magical abilities.

After the royal magic team was integrated into the knights, they began to officially get involved in the administration, and now they have grown into a prestigious family on par with the Repel family. However, due to their conservative nature, they did not get along well with the Repel family, which emphasized neutrality.

“Let’s bring him in.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Charlotte, seated at her desk, gathered important documents and put them in a drawer, then began reading through the remaining documents.

Vampires, unlike humans, did not choose a strict way of life, even if they were nobles, but suddenly barging into the office without an appointment was a considerable breach of manners.

Of course, if he were an ordinary noble, she would have rushed out to greet him as he was the chairman of the Council of Elders.

However, as the owner of a prestigious family that valued manners and dignity, she had no reason nor need to eagerly welcome Galileo.

“It’s been a long time, Miss Charlotte.”

The door to the office opened, and a gentlelooking man with a soft smile greeted her.

With his pale grey hair tied into a long bundle, he had exceptionally pale skin, and on days like today when he was dressed in bright clothes, his presence felt very faint.

‘But all of that is merely a contrived image.’

Galileo, who was said to be well over five hundred years old, looked to be in his late twenties, fitting for a vampire.

Usually, he maintained a very kind and friendly image, but she knew well that this only applied to highranking pureblood nobles, and he was very cruel to those of lower status or unclear lineage.

‘I don’t know what he wants to talk about, but I’ll have to find a work excuse to send him away quickly.’

Charlotte picked up a quill, signed one of the reviewed documents, and slowly rose from her seat.

“Welcome, Galileo. To come all the way to my mansion, do you have urgent business?”

“Ha ha. Not just that. But I’m a little disappointed. Aren’t we close enough to stop by and exchange greetings as I pass by?”

Galileo spoke in a friendly tone, but she just gave a slight smile in response without a clear answer.

Their relationship was not hostile, but given the nonfriendly history between the Repel and Turner families, meeting separately like this was a rare occurrence.

“I’m sorry, but I have quite a bit of urgent work to take care of. I would like to offer you a cup of tea, but it seems impossible in terms of time.”

“Ah, I see. Charlotte is always busy.”

Galileo sometimes addressed her without using her title, and that was part of the reason why she felt uncomfortable with him.

Of course, Galileo had been a key figure in the royal magic team long before Charlotte was born.

Considering their age, it wasn’t that strange, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that he was doing it on purpose.

“Shall we get to the point and ask right away?”

“……Do you have something you’re curious about?”

“They say that someone has infiltrated the Rose Palace while the Lord has left the royal palace for an expedition.”

Charlotte’s face turned pale, and she clenched her fists tightly.

She had anticipated this conversation dozens of times, but she never imagined it would come from this man’s mouth.

“Ah! It’s not one, but more than two, I should say. Stealing evidence wasn’t enough; they even killed that assassin.”
“It’s a story I’m hearing for the first time. It seems Sir Galileo’s information is quite exceptional.”

“Oh, you are too modest, being the head of the noble Ripel family. I may be sitting as the chairman of the elder council because of my age, but it is well known that there are more people who follow the Ripel family.”

He had said it in a roundabout way, mocking, ‘Why are you pretending not to know what I know?’

‘I must not lose face here.’

If he stuttered like this, it would mean admitting the truth.

Charlotte narrowed her eyes, still laughing and giggling, and shot a barb at Galileo.

“Well, let me repeat, I’m hearing this for the first time. I’m more curious about Sir Galileo’s intentions in inviting me to tell such an unpleasant incident.”

“Oh, Charlotte. I have no ill feelings towards you. I just happened to learn the truth about the incident. That it has anything to do with the Ripel family.”