For the time being the purpose for which the Duchess called me has been achieved. I think a win-win agreement has been made. No, no, because there are three people — the Duchess, me, and Elle-san — is it win-win-win? It does not matter.
"Then let me introduce my husband. Please follow me."
The Duchess stands up. Eh? Was the Duke at home? In that case, should greeting the Duke not have come first? Does that mean that even in the ducal house the wife ranks higher?
Led by the Duchess we walk through the mansion. We descend the stairs, are shown into another reception room, and are told to wait there and stand by. Without waiting very long the Duke appeared. Medium build, medium height, not particularly oily, an extremely ordinary person, yet looking at him he appears to be in his mid-thirties. Younger than the wife, I wonder? My eyes are cloudy so even with Appraisal I have no confidence, and the actual age cannot be known without asking; it does not matter.
