Just then, Chief Steward Gordon rushed into the room, his face uncharacteristically alarmed. Bill blinked, unused to seeing his calm and collected steward so flustered.
"What's the matter, Gordon? Catch your breath and then speak."
"Y-Your Excellency, a delegation has arrived from the Elven Principality."
"What!?"
Visitors from the north were one thing; they were part of the same empire. But elves were a different race, a separate nation altogether—and from the far west, no less! What could have brought them all the way to the eastern territories?
"Why would they visit our family?"
"They mentioned… they have come to discuss an engagement between Sir Sylas and the Elven Princess."
"…"
Bill realized he'd spoken too soon. He had to retract his words from just moments earlier. The world indeed had no shortage of shocking surprises—especially when it came to his son, Sylas.