I looked at Cassia.
Her invitation was so polite, so refined. There was no way I could say no. Well, honestly, I couldn't have refused an order from her anyway.
"An audience, you say?"
"There is absolutely no need for concern. She is a very kind grandmother."
Beside her, the Duke gave a tiny shake of his head, making sure to stay out of Cassia’s line of sight.
I supposed that meant she was only kind to her own family.
I wasn't entirely sure if her title meant she was the leader of the Elves as a whole, the Clan Head, or simply the head of the women. Since I didn't know the exact boundaries of their clan, I didn't even know if the Duke was considered part of it.
If she was kind to the clan and the Duke was part of it, then logic dictated she should be kind to both him and Gosler. Or perhaps she was the head of the clan's women and was only kind to the ladies?
If she was kind to Cassia but strict with the Duke, that probably meant she would be just as strict with me.
"If I'm to meet the Clan Head, wouldn't it be better to bring Rutina along?"
"Yes. I was very much hoping you would do that, Michio-sama."
I had only been searching for an excuse to refuse, but my suggestion had been welcomed like a godsend. So, the plan was indeed to bring Rutina.
"Ah..."
"I'm sorry if it causes her any unnecessary homesickness, but I assure you, we won't let anything happen to her. Grandmother Cassandra is fully aware of the situation."
If Rutina could get support from the Clan Head, would she be able to stage some kind of rebellion? I had no idea if she’d actually try it. Then again, wouldn't she go after her parent's enemy first?
"Hmm. Well, I suppose bringing her is fine, but wouldn't this place represent the home of her father's enemy to her?"
"Not at all. She doesn't need to come here; she can go straight to Grandmother Cassandra's Residence. I'll be heading there myself, so we can all meet up at the castle."
She had blocked off that escape route as well.
"I see."
"It'll be fine. Just a quick visit, a few greetings, and you're done. That's all there is to it. Do your best."
The Duke patted my shoulder. Apparently, I was destined to be the sole sacrificial lamb. And this was the man who, just moments ago, claimed he had no intention of running away.
No, it was just a greeting. Just a greeting.
"Is the Duke not coming?"
"If Rutina is going, I must respectfully decline. I am her parent's enemy, after all. Oh, what a pity. I truly wanted to go, but alas, it's just so unfortunate. I'm practically devastated."
The Duke’s face split into a wide, irritating grin.
"I'll be sure to mention to the Clan Head that the Duke seemed quite idle at the castle."
"Good idea," Cassia added. "I'll tell Grandmother Cassandra that he was simply heartbroken he couldn't make it. I'm sure she'll send for him immediately."
"Understood. While I'm at it, should I mention that Gosler seemed rather free at the castle as well?"
Since Cassia was playing along, I decided to drag Gosler down with us. That man was definitely guilty too.
"Now wait just a minute! Gosler aside, I am very bus—"
"I'll just report the situation exactly as I saw it."
"On second thought, I shall go as well!"
The moment I muttered my threat, he cut off his excuse about being busy and did a total about-face. I had found the Duke's weakness. Of course, it was a weakness that could easily backfire on me too.
"I thought you weren't going?"
"This is for the sake of none other than Michio-dono and Cassia! It's only right that I step up and take charge."
"It's really just a formal introduction, so you don't need to go to such lengths..."
"N-No, it’s fine!"
Cassia was clearly enjoying poking holes in the Duke’s logic. He really shouldn't be so dismissive of his beautiful wife's grandmother.
"The adventurers have already gone to the lobby. I'll have Michio-sama join their party there, and they will guide you to Grandmother Cassandra's Residence. Shall we?"
"Yes."
I followed Cassia to the lobby. I felt the Duke staring at my back with resentful eyes, but I ignored him. If he wanted to be resentful, he should direct it at Gosler, who had already fled.
"At the very least, I'll make sure to mention that Gosler was free but chose not to come."
Exactly. That was the spirit.
"Did I do something?"
"Whoa!"
Gosler was already in the lobby. The Duke jumped in surprise.
"I am about to guide Michio-sama to Grandmother Cassandra's Residence," Cassia explained.
"I see."
When Cassia answered, Gosler turned a look of pure pity toward me. At least, it felt like pity. But he wasn't going to get off scot-free either.
"The Duke and I were just discussing whether I should tell the Clan Head the truth—that a certain someone ran away instead of coming along."
"What!?"
I let the facts speak for themselves. I’d just have to tell the head the same truth. Simple as that.
"Now then, I'll have the adventurers guide you. You'll visit Grandmother Cassandra's Residence once to register the location, and then you'll bring Rutina there tomorrow morning. Does that sound acceptable?"
Cassia continued her explanation with total clinical detachment.
"Tomorrow morning?"
"Yes. The sooner, the better."
"It'll be a quick greeting and then you're done," the Duke added. "Unless you want to take your time, in which case you'll probably be invited for dinner."
"Let's go immediately. Tomorrow morning. Actually, why not right now?"
"I thought so."
The Duke was being incredibly annoying. I was definitely going to tattle on him tomorrow.
"I'm counting on you not to do anything reckless," Gosler pleaded.
I ignored him and joined the adventurer's party.
"Well, as a lord who cares for his subordinates, I wouldn't dream of doing such a thing," the Duke said.
"I'm counting on you, sir!"
"I know, I know."
The Duke looked like the type who would stand in front of the Clan Head and claim he’d wanted to come all along, but Gosler had stopped him. I decided to adopt the same strategy.
"I'm counting on you too, Michio-dono!"
You were a decent guy, Gosler, but your boss is a terrible influence.
"Then I'll leave things in your hands tomorrow morning. We'll meet over there."
"Understood."
"I'm counting on you!"
Ignoring Gosler's final desperate shout, I departed from Bode.