Just then, Suleiman, who had been silent until now, rose slowly with a faint smile. His movements were slight, yet immediately drew everyone's attention.
The arguing stopped abruptly.
Suleiman looked at the indignant Mallister knight. It was truly disgusting. Was Blackwood blood redder than his, or what, that this knight, who fancied himself the defender of bloodline order, was so furious?
He spread his hands as if displaying something invisible. "But I, my sword, and my men..."
"None of us knows anything about that so-called nobility of House Blackwood."
The words were delivered lightly, yet struck Patrick Mallister, the knights behind him, and the Blackwood warriors like a heavy hammer. It was a brazen humiliation of House Blackwood, the most complete contempt for the thousand-year bloodline and glory they took pride in.
All color drained from Patrick Mallister's face. He couldn't believe his ears. Several Blackwood warriors glared at Suleiman, their hands already gripping their sword hilts, while Tytos Blackwood sat quietly, deep in thought.
Suleiman paid no heed to their murderous glares. He rose and, under everyone's watchful eyes, walked around the stone pillar and sat down beside Lymond Lychester. He said nothing, but that simple gesture made his position unmistakably clear.
Patrick Mallister's face flushed. His young body trembled faintly with anger and humiliation. He had never imagined Suleiman could be so crude and rude. No wonder he'd come from a background of helping lords relieve themselves—he had no regard at all for the dignity of noble bloodlines.
Like a small beast cornered with no way out, he looked around at everyone present and let out an unwilling roar with all his strength. "If that's the case, then let's vote!"
"Let the lords present decide! Who is our true commander?"
Suleiman looked at the child coldly. He found