“Ensure that an imperial merchant guild will never darken our kingdom’s doorstep for such atrocities again. Don’t let even one of those damn rats in.”
Pinned by Cale’s steadfast gaze, Antonio felt his hands go numb. He couldn’t look away.
“As the southwest’s gatekeepers, House Guiller must keep it safe. That is what I want from you.”
The only thing Cale himself required of the Guillers was for Antonio to keep the Empire at bay while war raged in the north. Essentially, he needed them to do their job correctly.
Antonio swallowed hard. While Cale was only asking him to carry out his duty as a noble, the Guiller heir felt the overwhelming weight of those words. He had never seen a noble express such a straightforward wish before.
Alcoholic. Indulgent. A lout. As various descriptors tumbled through his mind at once, Antonio realized he’d had the wrong impression of Cale. This man was different. He didn’t seek power, nor was he motivated by greed. He was no impostor wearing the guise of nobility.
“Lord Cale—”
“One more thing.” Cale wasn’t finished; there was something else the crown prince wanted. “When the kingdom asks it of you…open the gate.”
The alliance of the four realms and the beastfolk tribes wouldn’t let the Empire’s crimes go unpunished.
“This is our request.”
He left those words hanging in the air, and silence settled over the reception room.
Antonio clenched his fists. This is nobility. In Cale, he saw true nobility—the same kind of nobility Antonio himself aspired to emulate. He had learned something about himself over the course of their discussion. Why had he assumed Cale Henituse intended to extort or manipulate him, when the only thing Cale had asked for was a conversation?
Looking down at his hands, Antonio let his fingers go slack until he could see both his palms. He felt as if a mask rested in his empty hand—a mask called “nobility.” He, too, was an impostor wearing a noble mask.
“What do you mean by ‘open the gate’?” Antonio’s unease bled into his question.
We’re to open the gate to the Empire when the kingdom asks for it. Taken the wrong way, this was a dangerous request. Doing so could be interpreted as Rowoon pointing its blade at the Empire.
Cale answered with a query of his own. “Are you worried that His Highness is looking to wage war against the Empire?”
This was indeed the case. Antonio was afraid that Prince Albert might want to declare war on the Mogor Empire or another foreign nation.
“I thought I made myself clear.” Lips quirking upward, Cale reiterated, “When the kingdom asks it of you.”
Not the crown prince but the kingdom. There was a significant difference between the two, but Antonio hadn’t picked up on the distinction until now.
Once Antonio caught on, Cale added, “House Guiller serves the kingdom. You should understand what I mean, right?”
To serve the kingdom… Antonio’s expression turned pensive. The kingdom encompassed the collective will of the crown, the aristocracy, and the common citizens. If the entire population of Rowoon wanted House Guiller to open the gate, the Empire must have committed an offense so heinous, the kingdom could not simply brush it aside.
What did the Empire do?
The Guillers were custodians of the southwestern region, which bordered the Empire. Despite being the next family head, Antonio couldn’t figure out what the Empire could have done to bring about such a scenario.
Realizing the serious problem his lack of information posed, Antonio began, “What—”
“Figure it out yourself.”
Cale’s response drew a line, preventing Antonio from asking about the Empire’s actions. He could speak no further on the matter. With his weakness in Cale’s grasp, he had to obey. In any case, if the Empire’s crimes impacted Rowoon, it was only right for the Guillers to unravel the situation for themselves. Antonio could investigate on his own…or choose another option.
“Then I shall ask His Highness.”
He needed to go to someone above the ducal level. When Cale accepted this as the obvious solution, Antonio made up his mind to discreetly gather intelligence about the Empire and review the southwestern region’s defensive strategies.
That was the response Cale had hoped for. He wanted Antonio to be wary, to quietly investigate the Empire’s movements. Antonio would also take an interest in Rowoon’s affairs beyond consolidating his own power. Given that he had authority over one of the main regions of the kingdom, his attitude would work to Cale’s benefit.
Cale straightened in his chair and locked eyes with Antonio. “I hope you’ll make the right decision once you’ve given it some thought.” He had nothing more to discuss; requests were best presented in a succinct manner. That said, he didn’t forget to threaten Antonio in closing. “These documents are all copies, by the way. I have the originals. As you consider your options, I trust you won’t forget that your undoing remains in my hands.”
Antonio let out a sigh and smiled. His reaction elicited a frown from Cale. Strange. What’s that look for? Who smiled after being threatened? Here Cale thought Antonio had understood him, but Antonio looked more relaxed than ever.
While Cale stewed in confusion, Antonio felt only relief. Not everything Grandmother said is true.
Leveraging the weaknesses of one’s peers on the kingdom’s behalf was a hallmark of true nobility. After meeting this bona fide noble, Antonio felt as if the clouds in his mind had dispersed.
“You really are a noble, Lord Cale.”
“Obviously…?”
Puzzled as he was, Cale could see he’d reached an understanding with Antonio. I guess I meet his criteria. Since Antonio had acknowledged Cale as a noble, he must have developed a very positive impression of him.
The crown prince will take care of the rest.
Albert would know how to keep Antonio in check once Cale handed over the documents. Cale was satisfied that all was proceeding as planned. For the most part, anyway.
“I know you’re busy, so I’ll take my leave.”
As he made to exit the reception room, he heard Antonio say, “You have my gratitude, Lord Cale.”
Cale spun around in surprise. “Sorry?”
“Thank you for everything.”
A sense of renewed energy seemed to emanate from the beaming Antonio. Cale was disconcerted to see Antonio looking far more cheerful than he’d anticipated.
Should I have threatened him seriously and taken something in the process?
In his effort to act like a “proper” noble, Cale hadn’t requested any material goods from the Guillers. He regretted that a little, but he forced a smile for Antonio before he walked out of the room.
Cale had all but completed his goals for the day. One task remained, but it was technically for tomorrow—he couldn’t do it until after midnight.