House Guiller would suffer further aftershocks when the identity of the Empire’s merchant guild got out. By choosing to take responsibility and step down, Sonata could mitigate the backlash they might face in the future. Furthermore, she planned to punish House Krish and force the baron to relinquish his title, ensuring that any Krish descendants never dared to show their faces in public again.
Still, worry gnawed at her. Her failure to notice the gap in the kingdom’s gate was a major concern. She’d believed that to survive, one had to secure power—but she was wrong. While House Guiller was locked in a power struggle, the gate to their home had been breached. This was unacceptable.
Sonata looked at her grandson. She had always told him, “Nobles are greedy creatures. If you want to survive, you must know how to wield your own sword. You cannot show any openings. You must always pass judgment upon them and use those judgments to your advantage.”
It may have sounded harsh, but her grandson had never opposed her. He never failed to conduct himself with the demeanor and authority befitting a noble. Even so, she had noticed how he truly felt: Despite his imperious bearing, her grandson took no small amount of pride in his noble title.
“Your Grace, I believe we should lock the gate.”
Antonio was the first to suggest that House Guiller abandon its quest for power and focus on fixing its internal affairs. She realized then that the time had come to make him the duke and lend him her support in becoming a reliable gatekeeper for the southwest.
“Grandmother…”
When Antonio called out to her once more, she chastised him. “I am speaking as the duchess. Address me by the proper title.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Her stern manner made her decision clear. Once she’d reached this point, Sonata never changed her mind. Even though it pained Antonio to know that his grandmother blamed herself for this incident, he held his tongue and watched her move toward Cale—yet her next words to the count’s son made him gasp.
“Do you know who best holds their liquor in this household?”
The duchess hadn’t lost one bit of her backbone.
Cale, for his part, was flustered. He had expected House Guiller to lock the gate, but the duchess making a personal appearance to announce the family’s seclusion and her own abdication in favor of her grandson was beyond anything he’d anticipated. And why was she suddenly talking about drinking?
Uncertain of the answer, Cale replied, “I’m not sure.”
A smile softened Sonata’s wrinkled face. “Me.”
“…Sorry?”
“I’m the family’s top tippler. Let’s drink together next time.”
Her statement blew Bilose away. It was widely known that Sonata rarely socialized outside an official capacity because she didn’t trust many people. Yet here she was, offering to share a table with someone who had no power or influence to offer her.
What in the world did Lord Cale do this time?!
Sonata and Cale, who should have been bitter enemies, seemed so friendly with one another. Bilose regarded Cale with reverence—but Cale himself didn’t like how things were progressing.
What’s gotten into her? Cale had no desire to sit with any of the Guillers, but he plastered a tender, respectful smile on his face before responding to the duchess. “Should we be fated to meet again, I’ll bring some delectable spirits with me.”
Fated to meet again—meaning he wouldn’t come without a good reason. Sonata was amazed that he hadn’t leapt at the chance to befriend her. He definitely isn’t your average punk.
The crown prince had said that when it was time to open the gate, he would send someone to notify her. She felt certain that person would be Cale Henituse.
“Yes. Let’s meet again when the time comes.”
The old woman’s eyes sparkled in anticipation of their reunion, but Cale had no intention of following through. Avoiding her gaze, he slowly dipped into a bow. There won’t be a next time.
Antonio smiled, glancing between Cale and his grandmother. He alone realized that his grandmother had acknowledged Cale Henituse as a true noble.
“If that’s all, I’ll be on my way.” After bidding farewell to the duchess, Cale moved to reboard the carriage. A sudden thought held him back. “Is everyone safe, Your Grace?”
Although Cale didn’t specify, Sonata immediately understood he was talking about the kidnapped citizens. “Yes, they’re safe. They’re getting healthier all the time.”
“That’s a relief.”
When his lips quirked upward, Sonata knew it was his real smile. He’s a decent kid. Cale was a better person than she’d imagined, and the crown prince she’d chatted with on this occasion was a good boy too. Now that she would be letting go of the reins, she thought it best to lay the groundwork for her family’s eventual return to power.
I should leave all communications with the crown prince and Cale to Antonio.
Sonata’s gaze intensified as she watched Cale, but he heaved an internal sigh of relief that she wasn’t trying to hold him up. Upon completing one more round of farewells, he finally managed to leave Guiller territory.
Bilose, who joined Cale in the carriage, realized that Cale possessed many talents in addition to his knack for stockpiling wealth. Their trip to Karo filled the merchant with a sense of anticipation.
Just then, Cale flopped down inside the carriage with a huff. “So tiring.” A deep crease marred his forehead; he seemed to find everything annoying.
“Meeeow.”
The silver kitten snagged a pillow between her teeth and dragged it next to Cale. He tucked the pillow under his head and lay down across the seat. Bilose blinked in confusion, finding Cale truly unfathomable.
“I’m going to sleep,” Cale said. “Don’t talk to me.”
Bilose nodded and kept his mouth closed.
Who would call him Lord Silverlight if they saw him like this?
As he thought about Cale’s growing reputation as an honorable noble in Guiller territory and the southwestern region at large, he chose to brush off this display of extreme laziness.