At the unexpected sound, the men turned their heads towards the hall. Ruela, dressed in casual clothes, approached them with a curious expression, wondering what was going on.

“Why are you whispering so much, as if you’re talking about something secretive? I vaguely heard my name. Did you say something bad about me?”

Kite quickly approached Ruela, took her hand, and led her to the front of the hall, saying, “Why would we do that? You probably misheard. Viscount Gart came to discuss today’s party.”

As soon as Kite finished speaking, Ruela’s exclamation echoed through the hall, “Again?”

Viscount Gart, facing the scrutinizing Ruela Romine, slightly bowed and greeted her. “I just stopped by to say hello on my way. Nothing more.”

“Say hello? Are we that close?”

When Ruela responded sharply, Viscount Gart smiled awkwardly and said, “I’ll take my leave. I apologize for the late hour.”

Before he could respond, Viscount Gart quickly turned and mounted his horse.

As he exited the entrance of the Feros Mansion and entered the main gate, he called his subordinates who had followed him.

“Go straight to the port immigration office now. Find out the names of the people who entered with Duke Fairmont, and immediately go to Elab to gather information about them.”
“Do you still have doubts about them?”

“No, believe me. There was nothing suspicious about the Duke’s words, and sincerity was evident in his tone and gaze. It’s just that the attitudes of the aides bother me.”

“Is it because of their behavior or speech towards the Duke?”

Seeing that Gart Viscount raised the point himself, as if he felt it too, Kite nodded.

“No, I think it’s natural since they’ve been friends since childhood. However, despite their humble words, their demeanor is too aristocratic. Both their speech and behavior are those of individuals perfectly educated.”

“I don’t know about the first aide, but the second one who appeared did mention that he’s a noble. Moreover, he stated that he was a friend of the Duke. Perhaps they received education together due to their friendship with the Duke?”

“That could be possible. So go and find out for sure. Inquire about their speech, behavior, their origins, and how they became connected with Duke Fairmont.”

Following Gart’s command, the subordinate bowed his head.

“Yes, Your Excellency. I will execute the orders as quickly as possible and return.”

As Gart Viscount left, the four people moved to the study.

Tien and Mitchell, who returned first, were resting in the room, so they didn’t call them unnecessarily.

“What were you talking about?”

Kite answered Ruela’s question.
“He suspected our friendship with the Linega. He said we might be trying to nominate the Queen as the next Grand King.”

“So what did you say?”

“I told him that the King of Kurang has no interest in whoever it is. Because that’s the truth. By the way, it seems like they’re planning to brush off the nobles who are plotting a conspiracy. We should let Baron Line know about it, right?”

Ruela pondered for a moment before responding.

“We should give him a warning. However, if he insists on proceeding, there’s nothing we can do.”

“You seemed to like Baroness Line quite a bit. What happened?”

Hazen asked while taking out the stove.

Since the invention of the teapot, he stopped ordering people to bring tea to him.

He had started preparing tea himself by pouring water into the teapot placed in the study or the drawing-room and putting it on the stove.

Observing Hazen’s actions, Ruela went to the sideboard, brought out teacups, and replied.

“I realized that our goals differ from theirs. We want to eliminate Kurang and bring this land under Helen’s jurisdiction. However, they only wish to change the king of Kurang, not aspiring for the kingdom to come under anyone’s jurisdiction.”

“Well, that could be the case. The Line family was promoted to viscount when Kurang became a kingdom.”

In response to Raphael’s words, Ruela, with a surprised expression, asked.

“Were they not originally nobles?”
“They were nobles, yes. They were lower-ranking nobles without a title. There must have been the Queen’s influence in their promotion to viscount, so I won’t betray them.”

“You didn’t seem to like the Queen much…”

Hazen narrowed his eyes at Ruela’s response.

“Not all friendships are smooth. Sometimes, a relationship of both liking and disliking, a peculiar affection, can be formed.”

Raphael also chimed in.

“When I investigated the Kurang royal family before coming here, there was also an explanation about the Line family. There was an impressive phrase: ‘If the Queen falls, she might be pushed out of power, but Baroness Line might still smile.'”

“Kite, what do you think? Does the Line family have a place in the plan after Kurang falls?”

Hazen’s question made Kite ponder with his lips sealed.