Everyone was startled by the voice and turned to look at the unfamiliar man. Ryan was no exception. Perhaps out of professional habit, the moment he heard the loud voice, Eloise saw his expression change instantly as he reached for his waist. Then, realizing he had no gun, his sharp gaze made it look as if he might lunge at any moment.

But that tense mood lasted only a moment.

“Richard…?”

Ryan’s face twisted as he stared at the stranger.

“Oh my, Sergeant, do you know this gentleman?” Mrs. Surberton asked. Before Ryan could answer, Richard strode forward, arms wide, and pulled Ryan into a hug.

“Ryan! My dear friend! I came to this area for a little rest and thought of you. I ran into some trouble on the way, but thanks to the help of a kind person in a nearby village, I made it here safely! I am simply grateful that God has guided me here unharmed.”

Richard greeted Ryan boisterously, clapping him on the shoulder, and a smile spread across Mrs. Surberton’s face. She seemed very pleased to see a young man who, unlike most these days, first offered thanks to God.

In contrast to Mrs. Surberton’s warm gaze, the words exchanged between Ryan and Richard, out of sight of the others, were harsh.

“You crazy—what the hell are you doing here?”

“Haha, just smile for now, Sergeant Thornton. And I’m not alone. Philip came with me.”

“What?”

At Richard’s words, Ryan looked behind him. That couldn’t be. Unlike the reckless Richard, Philip was the sort to stop him from doing something so impulsive.

For a moment, Ryan suspected Richard was lying and glanced toward the entrance.

But his doubts disappeared when he saw Philip entering the hall. And he wasn’t alone. He was escorting a woman on crutches.

“Abigail?”

At Eloise’s surprised exclamation, Ryan shoved Richard aside and turned to look at the two entering.

‘Is that woman Abigail?’

She was the one who had caught his attention ever since he’d felt someone’s gaze in Feltham. But the woman entering with Philip now didn’t seem like any threat. More than anything…

“Abigail!”

“Eloise.”

“You’re here! Mrs. Ogilvy said you wouldn’t be able to make it today, so I was worried. Are you all right?”

Seeing Abigail’s bright smile in response to Eloise’s worried words, Ryan thought she was at least not someone who would harm Eloise.

Of course, appearances aren’t everything, but Ryan generally trusted his instincts.

‘But then, why was she glaring at Eloise back then?’

He had definitely felt a sharp gaze in Feltham. She had disappeared in an instant, but not even someone as sensitive as Ryan could have missed it.

Then, Ryan and Abigail’s eyes met.

In that moment, Ryan realized: the one Abigail had harbored hostility toward was not Eloise, but himself.

‘Why?’

Upon realizing this, he felt wronged. Today was the first time they’d ever met face to face.

There was no reason for her to be hostile—there had been no contact between them. So why did she still look at him with such obvious animosity?

But Abigail soon looked away, as if realizing she’d been staring too much.

Meanwhile, Philip approached Ryan and greeted him.

“It’s good to see you again, Sergeant Thornton.”

Unlike Richard, Philip greeted him with polite formality.

Of course, that didn’t mean Ryan’s expression brightened.

At that moment, Mrs. Surberton, who’d been watching the scene with surprise, smiled and said,

“Oh my, two unexpected guests at the banquet. When I read about it in the Bible, I never thought it would really happen, but here it is. I sincerely welcome you both as guests guided by God.”

At Mrs. Surberton’s words, everyone suddenly looked as if they remembered something.

In the Bible, two angels sent by God disguised themselves and traveled through a human village.

Everyone turned them away at their doors, except for one household that welcomed them inside.

That family, celebrating a banquet for a happy occasion, gave the angels the most important seats, right across from the host.

They served them plenty of food, offered new clothes and shoes, and even gave them traveling money as they sent the angels on their way.

Before leaving, the angels revealed their true forms and blessed the family, saying they would never go hungry or want for anything until they returned to God, and that when they did, the most comfortable place in heaven would be prepared for them.

Because of this, in Albion, there was a tradition of treating guests who appeared on the day of a banquet—or any joyous family occasion—with the utmost hospitality.

Sometimes, people even hired guests for money, hoping to receive such a blessing.

But still, hosts secretly wished that, as if guided by God, unexpected guests might appear on such days.

And now, right before Mrs. Surberton, the very thing everyone hoped for had come true.

It wasn’t just Mrs. Surberton. Those who remained in the hall, and even some who had already headed toward the banquet room, returned to witness this scene, looking quite pleased.

“Unexpected guests at the banquet.”

“So this really does happen.”

“They say Sergeant Thornton’s army friends stopped by chance.”

People happily spread the news to those in the banquet hall as well.

While everyone was marveling, Ryan smiled as he grabbed Richard and Philip.

“To think you’d arrive here today of all days. What a remarkable coincidence.”

Though he was smiling, his voice didn’t match.

At that moment, Mrs. Surberton clapped her hands lightly and called Mr. Palmer.

“Mr. Palmer, we have guests guided by God at our banquet. Could you ask those who’ve already gone in for their understanding and prepare seats for these two?”

“There shouldn’t be any problem with the dishes or food, but…”

At Mrs. Surberton’s request, Mr. Palmer looked troubled.

The issue was the seating.

It wasn’t impossible, but this year, more guests had been invited than last year, so the tables were packed as tightly as possible.

Mr. Palmer had even mentioned, with concern, that next year they might need to limit the number of guests or add another table of the same width.

In any case, tonight’s banquet tables were cramped.

Now, they’d have to fit two more people. It would mean everyone sitting so close their arms might bump.

Just then, Eloise and Abigail, who had been whispering together, raised their hands.

“What is it?”

Thinking they might have a good idea, Mrs. Surberton asked urgently.

“What if we sit out the banquet?”

“What?”

“If the two of us don’t attend, the other guests can just shift over one seat each. That way, there’s no need to reset the tableware.”

“But what about the two of you?”

Eloise and Abigail clasped hands and smiled.

“We’ve been to this banquet every year since we were children, haven’t we?”

“That’s right, ma’am. And as you know, I can’t sit on those hard chairs for long. So every banquet, I always excused myself and went to the drawing room early.”

That was true, but still…

“So we’ll be in the drawing room. More importantly, guests guided by God should definitely attend. Right?”

As Eloise and Abigail smiled as if they truly didn’t mind missing the banquet, Mrs. Surberton thought for a moment, then spoke to Mr. Palmer.

“Mr. Palmer, you heard, didn’t you? Go to the banquet room and ask the guests to shift over by one seat from the center to the opposite side. The center is…”

She paused to think.

“Miss Julia and Miss Patricia. If everyone shifts over one seat from those two as the center, and the guests sit across from Sergeant Thornton, that should work.”

At those words, Julia and Patricia, who were standing in the hall, stiffened.

It was the seat everyone wanted, the seat across from the host, and they’d been so pleased to get it.

But now, those coveted seats were suddenly given to the unexpected guests.

Contrary to everyone’s expectations that Ryan would escort one of the two women, Ryan took Mrs. Surberton’s hand.

And, as the sudden guests each took the hands of Julia and Patricia—whose faces were now unmistakably crestfallen—the banquet finally began.