Chris knew why the people of Minisia had sent an envoy. It was mostly just to buy time.
But when Chris met the envoy-a clean-shaven, pale-faced man with chestnut hair, a blue robe, and a fawning smile-the man's opening words nearly made him lose his composure in his chair.
"Prince Chris, you are a Minisian too. Why would you stop us from helping the people of Bagnia enter a more civilized world?"
"?"
Chris said nothing. He merely watched the envoy for a moment, then leaned back slightly.
According to the Bagnian noble etiquette Chris remembered, leaning back like this conveyed subtle contempt, as well as a cool sense of distance.
He looked the envoy straight in the eye, slowly tapping his index finger against the plain armrest.
"What is your name, sir?"
Chris's voice was as calm as a winter lake, yet it sent a chill creeping up the envoy's back.
"Your Highness, I am Albert de Molson, of the House of Molson in Montelier."
Montelier?
It was a name he had never heard before, so it clearly was not one of Minisia's major cities. This envoy probably was not a powerful noble either. Perhaps he was a court noble, the sort of courtier who depended entirely on royal authority and talked his way into power.
"Sir Albert, how is it that I never knew I was Minisian?"
"Your Highness, your mother is the current king of Minisia's younger sister. By-by blood, you are also a member of the Minisian royal family."
Albert leaned forward slightly, trying to bridge the distance between himself and Chris with this show of familiarity. The fawning smile on his face grew even more pronounced.
"Under Minisia's law of royal succession, you also have a claim to the throne of the Minicia Kingdom..."
Chris