Father

Early the next morning, Kovishik was out of bed before five. With the servants' help, he began washing and dressing.

Today, he would attend a reception at another of Baron Trion's estates. Though the invitation appeared unremarkable, the Emperor and several princes would also be present—for the purpose of "coincidentally" meeting AHgAs's inspector at the event.

He stood before the mirror, lifting his chin slightly and constantly changing poses as he compared how different outfits looked on him.

"Take them all away. They're too formal," Kovishik said, shaking his head. "Bring me the clothes I wore when I went hunting with His Majesty last time."

The servants quickly brought over a set of pure black hunting clothes. Its main decoration was a golden belt, with a huge silver buckle in the center bearing House Schiller's crest.

Once he fastened his coat, the all-black outfit made him look like a student at a theological academy. Yet once he mounted a horse and unfastened the coat's waist clasp, he felt that extravagant belt immediately displayed a worldly nobility. He was intoxicated by this imagined contrast.

After choosing his clothes, Kovishik began bathing, shaving, receiving a massage, and tending to his skin. The entire process took roughly two hours. Since officially becoming House Schiller's sole heir, this had been part of his fixed morning routine. He treated his appearance and bearing with the solemnity of a duty. Whenever he needed to go out, he spent three or four hours grooming himself, determined to make his image flawless. Even among nobles, such behavior was exceedingly rare throughout District 12.

Compared with those his age, he had realized earlier how much his appearance could help him. In the past, when he could only nervously visit the General's Mansion on the evening of the third Friday