Annan understood at once. Duke Violet had deliberately put on that display of rudeness for them.
As for why...
"Annan, I've met many outstanding young people, but none of them compare to you." Duke Violet leaned on his gemstone Staff, slowly tapping its head with his knuckles.
"While other young men are still competing over meaningless things, trying to attract women like animals, you've already set your sights on the future."
Duke Violet made no effort to hide his admiration.
"So I have no objection to Katelina being with you."
"Tha... hm?" Annan looked up. "You've misunderstood. Katelina and I are just friends."
"That's enough. You're a noble too. You should know that many nobles have never even met before their marriage is arranged."
Annan wasn't used to such blunt talk from Duke Violet, especially when it sounded so much like a transaction.
"Is Katelina not an exceptional young woman?"
"She is. It's just..."
Annan wanted to say there were plenty of exceptional women around him already. But that would sound disparaging, so he settled for a modest smile. "You must care about Katelina a great deal to come all the way from the south to Free City yourself."
At the mention of his daughter, Duke Violet's expression softened. "She isn't the only reason I came. I came for you as well."
Annan's Gold Depository had nearly caused the councilors of the Southern Alliance to tear one another apart.
Nobles had their faults—arrogance, prejudice, greed, and conceit—but there was one thing they weren't: fools.
Their circumstances might lead them to misjudge something out of ignorance, as Grand Lord Raymond had. But even on the surface, a business like the Gold Depository, capable of drawing in vast sums of money, was a glittering gold mine.
They regretted not thinking of such