Exchange

"Sir, you misunderstand. Please, hear me out! I've thought of a way!" Kovishik struggled to cut Trion off. "You can make a charitable donation to the Veterans' Academy, and we can credit you with some military merit in advance!"

Trion's fury made him resemble a red-hot block of copper. His entire body was taut, and his green eyes nearly bulged from their sockets. Yet Kovishik's abrupt, disjointed words were like plunging him into a basin of cold water with a hiss, instantly extinguishing all his violent emotions.

"...Military merit?" Trion muttered, eyeing the man before him suspiciously. "What do you mean?"

"I mean entering the Nobility Academy first," Kovishik said quietly. "This military merit can help you secure a seat in the Nobility Academy. After that, His Majesty can elevate your Nobility Title by bestowing favors upon the academy, bypassing the objections of certain people at court."

Kovishik stepped up beside Trion and leaned close to his ear. "If you move quickly enough, your name can be on this year's year-end honors list. I guarantee it."

Trion's mouth fell slightly open.

"Oh, you've brought me some good news..." He rubbed his forehead and gazed out the window in a daze. "Has... has His Majesty already given his verbal approval?"

Kovishik nodded silently.

Trion let out a soft breath. He stood where he was for a long time, then turned back to Kovishik with a wan smile. He realized he had misspoken and felt somewhat ashamed. Suddenly, the young man before him seemed pleasant again.

"I feel terribly guilty," Kovishik said, shaking his head. "I truly never imagined Chloe would be so heartbroken. If I'd known things would come to this, I should have paid more attention to the way I handled things from the start..."

The words, "It isn't entirely