George III's fall, aside from causing tremendous chaos on the first day, had already become a topic of casual conversation by the second day. All sorts of rumors about George III's bizarre death began circulating.
Some said he had offended a deity and was suddenly struck down by divine punishment.
Others claimed it was an assassination carried out by the Feysac Empire!
All the major well-known newspapers throughout the Loen Kingdom were reporting on the incident. In less than two days, the news had already spread across the entire kingdom.
Under the direction of the Loen royal family, the Feysac Empire was declared the culprit behind the incident. Along the border, the Loen Kingdom's army had already begun launching attacks against the Feysac Empire.
On the second day after George III's fall, his successor, Jevington Augustus, appeared before the public. Brimming with ambition, he declared his intention to annex the Feysac Empire and accomplish the great feat of expanding the kingdom's territory. There was not the slightest trace of grief on his face.
"It actually succeeded just like that?"
Fors and Xio, who knew that something major was going to happen, hadn't attended George III's speech that day. Instead, they had locked their doors tightly and hidden at home.
It wasn't until the second day after George III's fall that Xio, who had gone out to gather information, saw the relevant report in the newspaper and bought a copy to bring home.
Fors stared at the contents of the newspaper in disbelief. The conspicuous headline, "The Great King George III Assassinated," reminded her that this was all real.
"Lady Sage is incredible!" Xio said with admiration and regret. "If I'd known, I wouldn't have hidden at home with you that day. Then I could've personally witnessed George III's fall."
"Shh! Are you trying to get yourself killed? Don't talk about that so loudly." Fors hurriedly warned Xio to watch her words.
Xio grabbed Fors' hand and gave her a placating smile. "Alright, I just think it's a little regrettable. On such a momentous day, I could only stay in the room with you while constantly worrying whether someone would come looking for us to take revenge."
"Tsk. When the explosion happened, you were clearly congratulating yourself for making the wise decision not to attend George III's speech."
"…" Xio looked embarrassed and eventually could only play dumb and refuse to answer.
While the two of them were chatting and teasing each other, a pea vine grew out of the hall. At its top, emerald-green vines intertwined with pale pink flowers to form a swing.
Lady Sage was sitting on this fairy-tale-like swing, gently swaying back and forth.
Fors and Xio stopped fooling around and looked toward Bernadette on the swing. Then they exchanged glances.
They understood that Lady Sage was in a very good mood today.
"The matter concerning George III has been resolved. I'll be leaving Backlund after some time," Bernadette explained the purpose of her visit.
"Lady Sage, are you not going to look after us anymore?" Fors asked.
They were believers of the Stars. If Lady Sage hadn't been protecting them during this period, they would have long since been captured by members of evil organizations lurking in the shadows.
"No one can live forever under someone else's protection," Bernadette said indifferently.
"Alright."
The light in Fors' eyes dimmed.
Xio asked, "Lady Sage, where are you going next?"
"The sea." After Bernadette answered, she paused for a moment, an indescribable expression appearing on her face.
"Or perhaps I'll return to my home for a visit."
"That sounds nice."
Xio didn't know what else to say, so she gave Fors a look, signaling for her to continue the conversation.
Fors didn't pick up the topic. Her gaze remained fixed on the constantly swaying swing.
She didn't know what to say either. They and Lady Sage belonged to two different worlds, and their relationship could only be considered ordinary.
"Take good care of yourselves."
After leaving those final words, Bernadette disappeared, leaving Xio and Fors staring at each other.
"Xio, our hard days are about to begin again."
"Yeah. We should find a new place to live too. Staying here is too conspicuous."
…
Earl Hall's residence.
Audrey, who had safely returned home, looked worriedly at Susie, who was still asleep.
It had already been several days, yet Susie showed no signs of waking up and hadn't eaten anything.
Audrey was worried that Susie's body wouldn't be able to endure much longer. Because of this, she had specifically sent someone to invite Mr. Hastur over to discuss the matter.
"Meow."
A meow sounded from the window, and Audrey instinctively looked toward the source.
It was a cat with glossy, jet-black fur. At this moment, it was walking gracefully along the windowsill, step by step. Its deep blue eyes showed no fear of humans as it surveyed the room.
This black cat… Isn't it the one Mr. Hastur is always holding in his arms? I remember its name is Ariella.
After observing it for a moment, Audrey recognized Ariella. She figured that Mr. Hastur was probably talking with Earl Hall, while Ariella had grown bored and wandered off on its own.
It seems very concerned about Susie?
Audrey could sense that Ariella's attention was mainly focused on Susie.
Soon, the probing look in Ariella's eyes disappeared. It raised its head slightly and moved its front legs in an elegant rhythm, jumping from the windowsill onto the desk before leaping down in front of Audrey.
The entire process was nimble and completely silent.
"Your master is really comfortable letting you wander around and play by yourself?"
Audrey crouched down and reached out, wanting to touch Ariella's head.
"Meow?"
Ariella nimbly dodged her hand, went around Audrey, and approached Susie. Then, under Audrey's curious and astonished gaze, it raised its right front paw high and smacked Susie on the head.
The blow wasn't very hard, but Susie's eyelids, which had remained shut throughout her deep sleep, trembled slightly, showing signs that she was about to wake up.
Audrey silently remained an observer.
Smack!
Ariella raised its little paw again and smacked Susie's head several times in quick succession, so rapidly that its paw seemed to leave afterimages.
The sleeping Susie finally managed to open her eyes. Her dazed gaze swept around the room, and only after seeing Audrey did she relax.
Her gaze then shifted toward Ariella, who had awakened her.
By now, Ariella had already turned its back on Susie, leaving her with a proud and aloof silhouette.
Under Susie's curious gaze, Ariella nimbly jumped onto the desk, then onto the windowsill, before slowly disappearing from view.
Susie withdrew her gaze and tried to stand up. She had only just steadied herself when her four limbs began trembling slightly, and her entire body collapsed back onto the floor.
Lying there weakly, Susie said feebly, "Audrey, I'm so hungry…"
"…"
Audrey sighed speechlessly. "Just wait. I'll have someone prepare something for you right away."
Susie closed her eyes again, as if she no longer had the strength to speak.
Audrey left the room and caught sight of Mr. Hastur chatting with Alfred and Earl Hall in the first-floor hall.
With a smile on her face, she greeted them before heading toward the kitchen.
Then she saw a black shadow shoot out through the kitchen window, leap onto the roof, and finally disappear from sight.
Ariella had a plump little dried fish clenched in its mouth.
The corners of Audrey's lips curled upward.
So it's just a gluttonous little cat.
She personally entered the kitchen and arranged a feast for Susie, then took several high-quality dried fish with her.
When Hastur finished chatting with Alfred and Earl Hall and arrived at Audrey's study, he saw Susie lying on her back, exposing her round belly after eating her fill.
Audrey sat in front of the desk, supporting her cheek with her left hand while holding a dried fish in her right and gently waving it around. Her eyes were filled with amusement as she tempted Ariella outside the window.
Ariella wanted to leave but couldn't bear to abandon the dried fish. Its brows seemed to be fighting each other as it struggled intensely with the decision.
Hastur stood at the doorway and watched for a while, wanting to see what choice Ariella would ultimately make in the face of the dried fish's temptation.
"Woof."
Before Hastur could observe for long, Susie caught sight of him from the corner of her eye and raised her head with a bark.
Audrey hurriedly put down the dried fish in her hand and turned around.
In that brief instant, Ariella pounced forward.
It snatched the dried fish Audrey had placed on the desk, nimbly spun around, and returned to the windowsill. With the dried fish in its mouth and its head held high, it walked away with elegant steps.
Seeing this, Audrey furrowed her brows slightly and puffed out her cheeks.
But upon realizing that Hastur was watching her, she quickly put away her childish expression and regained her usual elegance.
"Mr. Hastur, why didn't you say anything just now?" Audrey changed the subject.
There was amusement in Hastur's eyes. "I was enjoying watching you and Ariella match wits."
Audrey's cheeks flushed slightly. She lightly glared at Hastur.
"It must be because Mr. Hastur taught her so well that Ariella became this clever."
"Susie is just as clever."
"Woof!" Susie immediately voiced her agreement. Those words were exactly to her liking.
"Mr. Hastur seems to like Susie quite a lot?"
"Who could possibly refuse a clever golden retriever who knows how to read?"
Audrey raised her brows slightly and deliberately said, "I still prefer Ariella."
"Susie, it seems your owner doesn't want you anymore. Would you like to stay at my place for a few days?"
"Woof!" Susie immediately agreed.
"No!"
Audrey rolled her eyes at Susie, walked over, and rubbed her head. Slightly annoyed, she said, "Susie, after I've treated you so well, you're actually willing to join Mr. Hastur in bullying me?"
"Woof?"
Susie looked innocently at Hastur, then silently stopped making any noise. She gently nudged Audrey's palm with her head, indicating that she knew she had done wrong.
Only then did Audrey nod in satisfaction. She extended a finger and gently poked Susie on the head.
"Also, don't read so many books from now on."
"Woof?"