"Yes, miss, may I ask where you'd like to dine?"
The ever-loyal Head Maid inquired.
"In the pavilion of the rear garden; it's just right for two people to sit there. Don't forget to bring the wine from the ice bucket. The snow hasn't completely melted yet, and it's rare to have such a view on an evening in the Rain-Prayer Moon."
She gave these instructions, then turned to Shard and asked:
"You don't mind dining outside with me, do you?"
"Of course I don't mind."
The two of them stood up. The cat, as if afraid Shard would leave it behind, clung to his hand with its paws, signaling for him to pick it up.
"By the way, besides meeting with the Guardian of the Earth today, what else did you do? Now that the battle at Green Lake is over, and the tale of the Chosen of Space has concluded, can't you just stay quietly at home and let me...let Lecia and me come look for you?"
As they walked toward the door, with the maids tidying the table behind them, Miss Galina questioned again.
