The effect of meeting the two Cavendils was immediate.
Over the course of a single day, Tales issued one hand order and letter after another, inviting guests from different industries, social classes, and walks of life to come meet him at the Empty Palace.
The first to arrive was "Sea Wolf" Captain Tangga.
Compared to the splendid clothes, exquisite adornments, and heavy perfume he had worn at the Contention Banquet, the famous shipowner from Emerald City was dressed today in a plain, somewhat threadbare seafaring coat. He wore thick captain's gloves instead of gemstone rings, and a yellowed sweat cloth around his neck. His fierce appearance and rough manner exuded the innate pirate air of a bandit from head to toe.
Yet the moment he entered the luxurious study belonging to the Prince—or more precisely, Duke Jann—he began marveling at the furnishings inside and exchanging pleasantries with excessive enthusiasm. Along the way, he repeatedly glanced at Tales's face. The bruises there were simply too obvious to ignore.
"Jann hit me."
Beneath the classic medium-sized portrait of the first Duke Cavendil, Tales answered without looking up. At the same time, he signed off on a report from the Vigilant Hall in the Gold Refining District requesting additional security funding, writing: "No money."
Tangga's smile vanished.
He shrank back and rubbed his hands together, his gaze wavering. He looked embarrassed and at a loss, as if he had asked the wrong question.
No. He had done it deliberately.
Tales raised his head and studied the man before him. The voice in his heart sounded again:
This former pirate loved luxury by nature and was addicted to comfort. But somehow, he had heard rumors that the Prince was currently in dire straits, even short of money. Thus, before coming to court, he had