Gerard slid to the side and bowed: “This is the hero.” The Duchess turned her gaze to Nelly, her smile deepening.
With a rustle of silk, Ifa approached Nelly, lowering her eyelashes in a socially practiced manner: “I’m delighted you could visit.” Nelly stiffened slightly, bowing her head: “Duchess.” “Please, don’t be formal,” the young Duchess spoke softly and gently, with a hint of girlish coyness that didn’t seem affected, “What you need will be ready soon.” She slowly turned and sat down, looking at Gerard: “I heard you traveled south from Nafale. Do you have any news?” Gerard smiled and immediately began reporting various news from different kingdoms with witty remarks. The Duchess watched him with tolerant, almost childlike eyes, occasionally responding with pleasant laughter. Nelly was still immersed in the previous shock: The Duchess’s voice was incredibly similar to the system’s mechanical and cold female voice! Did this mean Aquin was the core of the system? If so, this powerful principality’s secretive methods would have a reasonable explanation. Nelly couldn’t help but secretly observe Ifa again. The other woman sensitively noticed and turned to smile at her. Nelly calmed down and returned a friendly smile.
After a brief chat, the Duchess instructed the maid beside her: “Take the two guests to their suites.” After speaking, she nodded to them: “See you tomorrow, I wish you both a pleasant evening.”
“Gerard still has some friends in Bruges to visit, please make yourself comfortable.”
“At the corridor outside the guest rooms, Gerard bowed and walked in the opposite direction.
Nelly thought for a moment and decided to take a few rounds outside the mansion to gather information.
However, after just walking around the city, she had gained considerable insights:
If Bruges was the heart of Aquin, then Lady Ifa’s every move was an invisible hand controlling its heartbeat. Beautiful, intelligent, wealthy – these three words were always associated with the Duchess. The Duchess had two sons and one daughter, but the mother’s brilliance far overshadowed her children. The eldest son was studying politics in the main city of Leon, the second son was far away in the capital, and the young daughter was already engaged to a noble family.
