As a key figure in the Graycastle Weekly, Honey's eyes and ears were everywhere, possessing the advantages of both Lorgar and Maisie. The olive grove in the castle's backyard was practically her base camp, making it no easy task to avoid her detection.

If that was all, so be it.

Because she was always the first to know about the interesting anecdotes in the city, she generally attracted many sisters to gatherings. For example, right now, the witches around Honey were the most concentrated cluster in the hall.

Not to mention Mystery Moon and her detective squad members, Nightingale, Wendy, and Scroll were not easily fooled, and even Leaf, who hadn't shown her face in a long time, appeared in the crowd, seemingly talking to Honey about something.

"Hide what you know, and keep the secret at the same time."

Sylvie glanced at Anna at the other end of the hall, thought of that instruction, and had no choice but to bite the bullet and walk over.

"How are these birds?" Leaf's voice quickly entered her ears, "They're a new species I found deep in the Misty Forest. They're not big, but they fly very fast, and they're also bold. One of them dares to peck at a gray hawk stealing a nest. I thought you might find them useful, so I brought back a whole nest."

She saw three kingfishers, two large and one small, standing on her shoulder, affectionately nuzzling Leaf's cheeks, completely unlike the brave birds she described.

"Of course, thank you," Honey happily took the birds, "It feels like you could become a bird trainer after all this time."

"Maybe they see me as part of the forest," Leaf smiled, "Speaking of which, the changes in the city really surprised me... There are so many more houses, and things like shadow plays and newspapers. If exploring the depths of the forest wasn't equally fun, I'd definitely be envious of you."

"You should come back and visit more often," Wendy said softly, "Everyone misses you a lot."

"I miss you all too..." Leaf lowered her eyes, "But only the southeastern edge of the Misty Forest is currently under the control of the Jungle's Heart. I have to merge with the forest for a long time to adapt to the expanding consciousness. To control the entire forest before the war arrives, there's no other way but to seize all the remaining time..."

"You've worked hard too," Scroll affectionately stroked her hair, "I'll have Lightning deliver the new newspaper to you every week, so you can always know what's happening in Neverwinter."

"That's a good idea," Mystery Moon exclaimed, "But the newspaper only records things that everyone knows. Instead of that, I'd rather know the secrets that only a few people know." She looked at Honey, "If you find anything, remember to notify the detective squad. We have the most powerful explorers here, guaranteed to solve any mystery for you."

Hearing the word "secret," Sylvie's heart jumped to the top of her throat.

This idiot, she's asking too directly! What can she do to divert the topic? No... Trying to avoid the attention of both Nightingale and Wendy while subtly leading Mystery Moon astray is too difficult for her!

"Well, there are quite a few..." Honey tilted her head.

"Oh?" Mystery Moon's eyes lit up, and she quickly asked, "Such as?"

A major crisis, Sylvie thought, wanting to cry but having no tears. Would pretending to be dizzy or drunk work? She doesn't have that kind of acting skills at all... Sorry, Anna, I've already tried my best.

"Um, although I really want to, I can't say it," Honey stuck out her tongue, "Especially not to Roland, the Emperor—that's what Wendy asked. She also said that no matter what strange phenomena I discover, I have to report to her first."

"Eh?" Mystery Moon looked at Wendy in surprise, "That's not fair!"

Wendy coughed twice, "I'm doing this for the sake of the Witch Alliance—there are some things that are safer for you not to know."

Sylvie breathed a long sigh of relief.

With this, the last crisis was also resolved.

She could be considered to have successfully kept this secret... right?

Thus, Sylvie spent her most arduous banquet in such anxiety.

****************

***

After the banquet, Roland returned to the bedroom with Anna.

Now it had been decorated as their wedding chamber. In the flickering candlelight, the girl's figure in her phoenix coronet and nuptial robe appeared hazy, but also possessed a unique gentleness.

He walked forward, gently took off the coronet from her head, tucked her hair behind her ears, and met her eyes.

In those lake-like, clear pupils, he saw the swaying affection.

"Call my name, okay?"

"Anna?"

"No," she blinked, "My full name."

"Anna Wimbledon."

"Say it again."

"Anna Wimbledon."

"Can you say it ten times?"

Roland chuckled, "Any number of times is fine."

After hearing him call her name in her ear, Anna finally lowered her head somewhat shyly, "Am I... a bit strange this way?"

"A little," Roland lightly scratched her nose, "You'll hear this name until your ears are calloused. And even without a surname, you're still my wife."

In his original world, marriage didn't require changing one's surname, so he didn't care too much about the post-marriage name.

"That being said, I feel like I'm complete this way..." Anna pressed her hand to her chest, "It's like I'm finally not alone anymore. This is probably the meaning of the ritual... whether it's wearing a crown or changing a title, it's all about gaining a sense of self-identity through external changes. Although the feelings between people don't need rituals to verify, if this link is missing, you'll definitely feel regret and regret when you think about it later."

"..." Roland couldn't help but reach out and hug her.

At this moment, any answer seemed superfluous.

After the two of them were intimate for a moment, Anna said, "Roland, can I ask you for a request?"

If he remembered correctly, this was the first time the other party had proactively asked him for something.

"Yeah, say it."

"I want to be your Minister of Industry."

Roland was slightly surprised, "There's nothing wrong with that, but why suddenly..."

"Because I'm just an ordinary girl from a remote small town," Anna smiled, "Now that I've suddenly become the Queen of Graycastle, there must be many people who are dissatisfied, right?"

"Don't worry, no one dares to be talkative about it," Roland comforted her.

"If you try to quell everything, it will only deepen such suspicions," she shook her head, "I can no longer hide behind you like before, just indulging in the things I'm interested in. I want to do more and shut other people up directly."

From an unknown witch to a person who can stand alone? Roland couldn't help but raise the corners of his mouth. I never intended to keep you in that small backyard all the time...

"Then, as you wish, my dear."

"Thank you for agreeing to my capriciousness," Anna tiptoed and lightly kissed him on the forehead, "By the way, weren't you always curious about what Nightingale and I talked about that night?"

"Uh..." Roland paused slightly, "It would be a lie to say I wasn't, but—"

"It's okay," she smiled, "That was an agreement, and it's already been completed. Now... carry me."

The candle was extinguished by a wisp of black fire, and the night covered the silhouettes of the two like a thin veil.

This hazy and beautiful night.

...