The Duke's study had been quiet for a very, very long time.
After hearing the Prince's proposal, the two Cavendils wore completely different expressions. It took them a while to digest it.
"So after everything we've been through, we've ended up right where we started," Federico was the first to speak. His expression was complicated, almost smiling but not quite. "In the end, he remains spotless, everything continues as usual, and he gets to keep being the Duke of South Bank he usurped?"
"Everything continues as usual?" Jann said disdainfully.
"And yet you became the new Viscount of Archsea City, Fede."
Tales raised his brows and forced a smile.
"That's a big step."
"Under his thumb, obeying his orders, and perhaps getting killed by him in the end?" Fede raised his voice.
Before Tales could respond, Jann let out a cold snort.
"So according to you, Fede clears his name, returns home in glory, becomes the Second Figure of the Empty Palace and a special envoy planted in the Royal Capital, while I have to surrender some of my authority, tolerate my scheming cousin interfering in my rule and making things difficult at every turn, and perhaps even suffer a usurpation in the end?"
The Duke of Iris sneered.
"Everyone lives happily ever after?"
Federico promptly chimed in, his face equally full of sarcasm.
"Forgive and forget?"
The two men emphasized different points, but both stared at Tales with chilling smiles, making the hair on his back stand on end.
The back-and-forth gave Tales an uncanny sense of déjà vu, reminding him of the scene years ago in the Hero Hall, when he had faced Chaman Lumba and the four Grand Dukes.
But compared with the nobles of Exeter, who were constantly at odds, weren't you Cavendils family?
Tales sighed.