"Lord Velin, thank you for your proposal. We will consider it carefully." Rodney raised his wineglass in reply, then drained it in one gulp.
From their words, Velin knew they had not taken his proposal seriously.
Still, he had said all he could. They could seek their own fortune.
Perhaps before long, they would regret the choice they had made today, but by then, it would be too late.
Half an hour later, the guests gradually dispersed.
Feigning drunkenness, Velin left the banquet hall with Kyle supporting him.
With the host gone, the others did not linger either.
Late that night, Rodney met with the six counts of Jinslin District at the City Lord's Mansion to discuss the events of the day.
An old man cleared his throat, breaking the silence, and was the first to ask, "How credible do you think that man's proposal is?"
"Hard to say." A middle-aged man toyed with a metal ball in his hand and said in a low voice, "Before Princess Lydia was assassinated by the Storm Church, the queen met with him once. Since then, she has refused to receive any ministers or nobles, even turning away Rogier Prescott, the deputy foreign minister."
Creak—
The door opened. Disregarding etiquette, the butler hurried to Rodney's side and informed his master of the news from the Royal Capital.
Rodney, seated at the head of the room, looked through several expressions before slowly saying, "The Prance Family is gone."
"What?"
The six counts abruptly turned toward Rodney, their faces full of disbelief.
The Prance Family was one of the military noble houses and held an unrivaled position within the Kingdom Army.
"You may leave now." Rodney spoke to the Butler with some sorrow.
"Yes, Master."
Once the door closed again, the room fell silent.
They