Chapter 551: Chapter 430: The Phantom Card Sealing the Succubus Chapter 551: Chapter 430: The Phantom Card Sealing the Succubus Edward naturally would not refuse an invitation from Her Majesty the Queen, and he arrived at the Hall of Silver and Tin punctually.
When Edward reached the Gryphon Bridge, he even encountered the Chamberlain who had just left the Hall of Silver and Tin.
After exchanging simple pleasantries with the honest, gentle old man, he strode toward the Hall of Silver and Tin.
At Aiwass’s request, Edward was not led by the servants to the antechamber, but directly to Aiwass’s bedroom.
Edward had naturally been inside the Hall of Silver and Tin before.
He was, after all, the Chief Inspector of Glass Island.
But on his previous visits to the Hall of Silver and Tin, he was either led to the salon that could accommodate over forty guests listening in at the same time or went to the Round Table Hall to attend meetings in place of his foster father James.
Edward had only once had a private audience with Queen Sofia—and that was right after he returned from the Iris Kingdom.
At that time, Edward went to the Queen’s study and earnestly explained the demands of the Irisflower People and the price they were willing to pay.
That was as deep into the palace as Edward had ever gone.
Access to the royal family’s bedrooms was absolutely impossible.
He was even somewhat nervous—despite his expressionless face, his palms were beginning to sweat.
Edward knocked on the door politely and after hearing Aiwass’s “come in” he slightly relaxed and pushed the door open.
As soon as he entered, his steps paused momentarily.
—Because there were simply too many people inside the room.
Aiwass was sitting by his table, seemingly engrossed in tinkering with something.
And Isabel had pulled up a chair right beside him, very close to Aiwass.
A crow was even perched on her shoulder.
Ligeia stood opposite the table, also looking down intently at Aiwass’s work.
Yulia stood far off at a corner of the table, holding her beloved teddy bear “Mr.
Dade” in her arms, her gaze also stealing glances toward Aiwass.
There were many people, but none of them paid him any attention.
The only one who had the leisure to approach was Lily, who seemed to have appeared out of nowhere.
Edward added in his mind.
Lily guided Edward to a seat to the side and served him hot red tea at the perfect temperature.
Edward replied politely and took a sip of the red tea.
But then, he tasted the unexpected flavor and nearly sprayed it out.
Ligeia let out a sharp and mischievous laugh: “How is it, young man?
The taste is pretty good, right?”
“This is Miss Ligeia’s handmade red tea.”
Lily explained kindly.
“…The flavor is not bad, Grand Arbitrator Your Excellency.”
Edward sat upright, answering politely and seriously.
Ligeia smacked her lips.
Although his expression was calm, his posture proper, and his breathing steady…
Ligeia could tell at a glance that the young man was close to sweating buckets.
Dealing with someone who was overly straight-laced was a bit boring for Ligeia, so she lost interest in speaking with Edward.
She lightly patted Isabel’s shoulder, signalling that Edward had arrived.
Then she returned to her spot and continued to watch Aiwass writing and drawing on the Tarot Cards.
Isabel reluctantly shifted her gaze away from the table in front of Aiwass, stood up with a smile, and walked toward Edward.
The crow on her shoulder took flight and landed back on Aiwass’s shoulder.
Seeing Isabel approaching, Edward’s heart skipped a beat; he immediately rose from his seat, knelt on one knee respectfully, and bowed his head: “Silver-Crowned Dragon above…
Greetings, Your Majesty.”
“May the Silver-Crowned Dragon bless you, Edward Moriarty.”
Isabel skillfully touched Edward’s head, signifying “a motherly fondness.”
This was a rather affectionate gesture, one level above the kiss of the dragonhead signet.
After being touched by Isabel, Edward was allowed to lift his head.
After exchanging glances with Edward, Isabel revealed a bright and generous smile, took a step back: “Good evening, big brother Edward.
Upon hearing this, Edward’s gaze shot toward Aiwass.
He seemed to understand something in an instant, then, as if fearing to upset Isabel, quickly turned his head back.
He let out a slight sigh of relief in his heart, nodded respectfully, and stood up.
“I want to keep Aiwass and Yulia here for the New Year, but then it’d be too lonely for you.
So I presumptuously had Aiwass invite you too,” Isabel stated, her smile bright and confident, the slightly curved shape of her eyes exuding an extraordinary affinity: “Why don’t you stay here tonight, big brother Edward?
The Hall of Silver and Tin still has plenty of vacant rooms.”
In fact, it was Aiwass who originally made this request.
But Isabel instinctively sensed that Edward might blame Aiwass for being impolite or improper.
So she very smoothly took on the responsibility herself, presenting it as her own suggestion.
Aiwass at the table, working on the cards, naturally heard this comment.
He looked up at Isabel with some surprise, just as their eyes met when she looked back at him.
Isabel quickly blinked her right eye, her smile unchanged.
Like the best of actors, she didn’t reveal any flaws.
Clearly realizing Edward’s stiffness and discomfort, she didn’t wait for his response and simply said with a smile: “By the way, big brother Edward—may I call you Lord Moriarty?”