The candlelight flickered across the polished marble floor of the receiving hall as the duke leaned back in his seat, arms crossed, eyes narrowed slightly.
My eyes flicked to the large arched windows behind him, and I realized why the lights were on already. We've reached the dukedom in the morning; now, it's dusk. No wonder all my muscles are tired.
I glanced back at the duke. Fortunately, he wasn't eyeing us with hostility, he was just in deep contemplation after listening to Noir's story.
Even when I was munching on the food like there was no tomorrow, my ears were focused on them. So, I heard Noir omitted some facts and just told the duke about the monster and our group.
"So, after you got kidnapped, their group rescued you. Is that right, Your Highness?"
Noir's head bobbed up and down.
"And instead of asking them to send you back to the palace, you stayed with their mercenary group and fought monsters on the border?"
Noir nodded again.
