After washing his hands, Pankey walked out to find Ashe and Lys already eating.

He poured everyone a cup of tea, sat down, and said calmly, "I was ambushed by Ashe just now."

"Huh?!"

Ashe froze with a sandwich halfway to his mouth. 

Lys sprayed orange juice all over his face. Pfft! 

"Daddy, how could you… I'd rather you just find a stepmother! Wait, don't tell me you and Aunt Perskin—"

Ashe chopped Lys on the head, instantly cutting off her endless chain of wild assumptions. Wiping his face with a tissue, he turned to Pankey. "You mean... Gospel Ashe attacked you?"

Pankey nodded, briefly explaining what had happened. "It was just an illusion. But based on my own state of mind, if Annan truly died, I would absolutely assassinate the Empress to avenge her. There is a real basis to my second-place spot...