Zachary lowered his head and took a small sip of wine, a flicker of calculation crossing his eyes.
He sighed with feigned helplessness. "Perhaps. Calvin doesn't seem to understand how to respect others, after all. If it were me, I would certainly have come in person beforehand to pay my respects to you, Count."
Count Firth's brow furrowed, and anger began to creep onto his face.
The clamor of the banquet seemed to quiet at those words, and the atmosphere grew somewhat tense.
Count Firth fell silent for a moment, then slapped the table. "This Calvin needs to be put in his place. He needs to learn that the Northern Frontier isn't a place without rules."
In the operations ahead, I'll send him to the most dangerous places and make him lead the charge! Count Firth thought, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
Just as planned.
Zachary smiled faintly, but inside, he was filled with twisted pleasure.
Count Firth's decision was precisely the result of his careful maneuvering.
Ever since Louis had embarrassed him at the banquet, anger had been simmering in Zachary's heart.
Louis's disdainful gaze, in particular, had dealt a brutal blow to his pride.
Who do you think you are? Zachary thought with a sneer. You're nothing but a family outcast, yet you dare look down on me?
By exploiting Count Firth's ignorance, he could easily put Louis in the most dangerous position.
And Louis would pay the ultimate price for his arrogance.
Of course, Zachary also knew when to stop.
Once he had planted prejudice in Firth's heart, he only had to let it fester over time.
So he quickly changed the subject, recounting amusing stories from his hunting trips in the south.
The nobles gradually relaxed, and the atmosphere warmed again.
The banquet returned