“What’s going on? Why are you here?”

Baron Stanford unconsciously stood up and leaned out of the carriage window.

Because of this, children who had been waiting for an opportunity to beg from other nobles rushed toward him, reaching out their hands.

It was only natural. The children were reaching for the baron’s medals and other decorations on his formal attire, hoping for gold coins rather than just a few silver ones.

“You brats! Get away!”

The coachman, noticing this, quickly cracked his whip in front of the children. But they only flinched momentarily, still looking at Baron Stanford who was leaning out of the window.

Meanwhile, other people gathered around. And behind them, carriages of other nobles attending the funeral shouted to move forward.

It was clearly impossible to stop the carriage and take Eloise in this situation.

“I’ll send someone! Over there! Wait by that General Grant statue!”

Baron Stanford pointed to a statue behind Eloise.

“Understood!”

After Eloise answered, the baron nodded and returned inside the carriage. Nevertheless, the begging children didn’t give up and continued knocking on the carriage, causing Baron Stanford’s carriage to hurriedly leave the street and rush toward the cathedral.

The carriages behind were increasing in number.

Eloise quickly headed toward the statue, avoiding the children pulling at her clothes.

‘What should I say when we meet?’

The baron had immediately shouted, asking why she was here. His voice was full of surprise and concern.

Hearing a voice concerned about her after so long, Eloise felt a lump in her throat.

‘Tears over something like this!’

Eloise blinked, clearing her blurred vision.

‘Pull yourself together and think of an excuse.’

Thinking about it, Baron Stanford was someone who would lecture at length whenever he came to Blissbury.

So while she was glad to see him, part of her wondered if she should hide when she heard the news.

Surely today too, regardless of the funeral, the mere fact that she was here alone would earn her a lecture lasting over an hour.

Still, at this moment, he was a most welcome sight.

After a while, a gentleman in neat formal attire walked to the base of the statue and called out.

“Miss Eloise Surberton!”

“That’s me!”

As Eloise approached, the gentleman sighed and said:

“I am Seer Ledington. One of the baron’s secretaries. The baron instructed me to bring you inside quickly. Let’s go.”

The man hurriedly introduced himself, then took Eloise’s luggage and led the way.

The cathedral entrance was even more crowded than the street.

Soldiers checked everyone’s identification and inspected various areas.

“This is the person I mentioned earlier when I went out. Please check the documents again, and this young lady is accompanying me.”

“Yes, we received the notification. However, we need to check the luggage if that’s alright?”

At the soldier’s words, Ledington looked at Eloise as if asking if that was okay.

Given the sudden inspection, his eyes showed concern about whether there might be something problematic.

Eloise handed over her bag, gesturing for them to proceed.

When leaving Sinclair’s house, she had only packed what seemed absolutely necessary.

Still, it was enough to fill one large travel bag, and since no one brings such luggage to a funeral, it must have looked suspicious.

“It’s fine.”

After Eloise nodded, the soldier took the bag to the back and opened it to examine the contents.

While watching the soldiers, Eloise’s face showed momentary surprise.

The crowd on the street had obscured her view, but inside the cathedral, there were far more soldiers moving around than visible from outside.

“There are more soldiers than I expected?”

At Eloise’s words, Ledington turned around and said:

“Well, with so many distinguished guests attending today’s funeral, the security personnel alone is at an unprecedented level. Plus, since they’ll be firing cannons during the ceremony, there’s bound to be a lot of movement.”

Meanwhile, the soldier returned Eloise’s bag.

Though he had taken it to examine, with so many people gathering, there didn’t seem to be time for a thorough inspection.

As they approached the front of the cathedral with Ledington, wooden chairs that appeared to have been brought from inside the cathedral filled the area.

“Please sit here and wait. As you know, only royalty, nobility, and a few select individuals are allowed inside the cathedral apart from the clergy. The baron will come out after the first part of the ceremony.”

“I understand. Thank you.”

“Then I’ll come back later.”

With those words, he hurriedly walked to where the nobles’ aides were gathered.

Eloise put down her bag, sat on a chair, and looked around.

As Ledington said, the seats right in front of the cathedral were for those who were invited but not of high status.

Even the number of such people was enormous, making it as crowded as the street, though not quite as much—one would still need to raise their voice to find someone.

‘That’s rather fortunate.’

With such a diverse crowd, Eloise fortunately didn’t stand out much.

Sinclair would certainly have gone inside.

So there was unlikely to be anyone here who would recognize her.

Thanks to this, Eloise relaxed and covered her collar.

Then she couldn’t help but sigh.

Sighing at her lover’s funeral—what was she doing?

‘Still, I’m glad I could attend.’

Eloise recited a prayer to herself after a long time.

And as she did, she thought:

‘God, even though it was a lie, thank you for allowing me to attend and say goodbye.’

***

Sinclair was feeling impatient.

“Why are there still so many people who haven’t arrived?”

She recalled the list of nobles invited here today.

It was a long, extensive attendance list—it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that almost all the nobles of Albion were gathered.

Perhaps because of this, the cathedral was also packed with people.

But the key figures Sinclair had marked were still not showing up.

At least some of the noble ladies seemed to have arrived…

‘With black veils on, their faces aren’t clearly visible.’

Sinclair unconsciously bit her lip.

The list she knew consisted of all the targets for this plan.

Those who must be eliminated!

They were key figures whose removal would cause a great shock throughout Albion, but most of the people she had been waiting for had yet to appear.

Just then, there was a commotion at the entrance.

Nearby nobles all rose from their seats.

Security guards pushed through the nobles, and a prince with a solemn expression walked in.

Though called a prince, he was already middle-aged with adult children, being the son of the elderly queen.

He sat in the highest seat in the cathedral, accompanied by his eldest son, the crown prince.

Seeing this, Sinclair smiled beneath her veil.

‘If the prince is attending, that’s enough!’

Above all, he was the primary target to be eliminated in today’s plan.

Feeling pleased, Sinclair finally sat back in her seat.

Then, noticing someone else approaching, she raised her head.

The newcomer, seeing Sinclair in the adjacent seat, clicked his tongue as if displeased.

Sinclair pretended not to hear and greeted him.

“Hello, Earl Wellace!”

The Earl, as if reluctant to answer, slightly nodded his head before sitting down and looking forward.

In truth, the count had been in a bad mood since morning.

He was fine with attending Ryan’s funeral, but the countess, who was supposed to accompany him, suddenly refused to go.

‘Like a woman who believes in some fortune-teller or old society gossip!’

The soothsayers had apparently said that an ominous star would rise today and much blood would be spilled.

Believing their words, Vivian had been sharp since dawn, insisting he go to the funeral alone, and shut herself in the mansion.

Just then, Sinclair spoke to him again.

“Is your wife perhaps unwell?”

At those words, the Earl turned his head in displeasure.

“What’s this…Are you close with my wife?”

But instead of answering his question, Sinclair smiled beneath her veil.

As he was about to express his annoyance at Sinclair’s attitude…

The cathedral bell rang loudly.

The funeral had begun.