rt and bowed. There were about thirty black-coated soldiers standing behind h

ise,"

g up unannounced, Grand

but I wrapped my arms around

long bare legs still straddled over my lap. I wanted to make Victor feel uncomfortable talking to

I said, straightening my posture a bit.

portant matter that requires me to find you immediately. I ask for your for

hatever brought him to France out of the blue wasn't a minor issue.

d here," I said casually as I stroked Lyra's soft cheek with the back of my

ss this in public, Your Hig

just wanted to annoy the man as he did me with his sudden interruption. He must have sensed th

ared his t

es, I could see Jean-Phillip leaned forward in his seat and strained his neck out in curiosity. Estell

d, raising the wine glass and

r attendance to fulfill the role for the Alliance wants you to be prese

thout me after all these

ortable with the surrounding. Then he turned

can bring orders back to

ll silent again. Everyone was staring and yet even mor

?" I said flatly t

Jean said and quickly stood up. "I wo

. The guests slowly moved from their spots,

, Victor." I decided with a wave o

ess, Russia nee

or," I dismissed hi

long sigh befor

t to see you like this

ge, causing Victor to swallow.

e for Russia, Victor," I said in a low hiss that even Lyra tensed

he top of the French gir

If you don't return to Kremlin soon, Russia will

mean?" I fr

quite a worry for all of us," he said, "We need your su

t to mention my siste

u go and find

ate affairs. I have tried all possible ways to invit

"She wanted Russia back in the first place. If s

s a long

a defeated tone at last. "The whole world is com

weeks. The dark circles around his eyes were visible under the dimly lit hall. Victor had always been like a friend for many

back before turning around. The rest of the

s tracks and I silently cursed myself