Dieter ushered them through the buzzing throng of people and into a parlor that Elletra remembered having “chats” with the Earl in. Her heart automatically started racing but scanning the room, she found two young women deep in conversation instead.

“Cerian! Inessa! Look who has finally rejoined us.” Dieter announced as he closed the door to the rest of the party.

Hawkeye couldn’t help but smile, “Hello, my dear sisters.”

Standing in shock, the younger one finally grinned and ran over, enveloping him in a giant hug. “Ilse-Lorenz! You came back! Father said you would! How are you? And who is this?”

Hawkeye furrowed his eyebrows, “This is my good friend, Elletra. And what do you mean the Earl said that?”

Elletra could see the sudden wariness on his face but his sister was oblivious, “Well, it is a pleasure to meet you, Elletra. I’m Inessa. I hope we’ll be seeing much more of each other now!”

Elletra glanced at the other sister who was staring at her with arched eyebrows and knew she remembered her.