Annan woke in the Wooden Cottage at dawn.
After responding to his people's greetings for the first time in a while, Annan opened a Teleportation Portal to bother Olmedo, just as he used to.
"Your father came to me in a dream..." Annan's opening left Olmedo speechless. "He said he was disappointed. He said you'd disgraced your name. He also said the Olmedo Family had never produced a Town Chief with ambition the size of a salted pea, and then he said—"
"He said he'd throw me out of the family if I didn't become Deputy City Lord?"
"Mm..."
Olmedo crumpled a sheet of paper and threw it at Annan.
"Do you have too much free time lately?"
"Actually, yes. We've finished filming Annan Potter, apart from Tina's special effects... Those Merchants you found are impressive. I only mentioned looking for a place to build a Magic Film theater a few days ago, and they've already found one. And—oh, I remember!"
"What?"
"I remembered what I forgot while eating at Aunt Susan's last night!"
"That you left Martin in Siltovis?"
"No, not that... A distant relative of one of the Golden Families wanted to see me. She was always cold toward me before I went to the Imperial Capital. I promised to visit her last night, and then I forgot..."
"You need a steward."
"Isn't that what Abby's for? I just keep running all over the place." Annan sighed helplessly. "So what should I do about the Waters Family?"
"There's always a reason when a noble family changes its attitude. You have the advantage."
Annan considered this. "I see. It's just that I seem to spend all my time dealing with women..."
"Oh?"
"You don't count."
Annan closed the Teleportation Portal as Olmedo raised an eyebrow. After making a round