Night had deepened, and the noisy banquet had long since ended.
Veylin sat alone in his office, with only the candlelight flickering around him.
The dragon knight Edmund had left, but his mountain-like oppressive presence had yet to fade completely.
A letter lay quietly on the desk.
Veylin unfolded it. The handwriting was firm and forceful, much like his uncle, Lyman Klein.
[Veylin, I was delighted to hear that you had established your own territory. I set aside some wine for you, but unfortunately, you are too far away in the Swamp for us to share a drink. Still, consider that promotion decree my congratulatory gift. No need to thank me. The Klein Family's glory is my glory.]
Veylin scoffed.
A congratulatory gift. What a lovely way to put it.
This was clearly a bill, a price tag marked "favor," just waiting for him to pay up someday.
Yet it had to be dressed up as an uncle's affection for his nephew. Just the right touch of hypocrisy.
[Next time you need something, write to me directly instead of going through Lilia. She is a good girl and should not have to worry about these matters. We men can discuss things directly. It is more efficient.]
Veylin's finger lingered over the word "efficient."
The message was clear-you now qualified for a seat at the table, but do not forget who pulled out your chair.
At the end of the letter, Lyman changed tack.
[You may wonder why the council has been so generous. It is because you are among the "last group of Pioneer Knights directly commissioned by the Duchy." There are several others in your cohort, scattered across the Duchy's other borders. They will all receive varying degrees of support from the council.]
[Remember your position. From the moment