Numsley was the center of questioning eyes throughout the hall. Cultrost listened to the nobles whispering questions and speculations among themselves. He remained unnoticed among the crowd.

The mouths of the family of Naveirei that Escribanorr introduced to Numisley were wide open with shock.

“What is the meaning of this, nephew?”

Matironra Naveirei did not seize her daughter’s weapon as she did with the head of House Commerro. Yet, her overbearing Aura was enough to make the air heavy, almost crushing. His nephew’s faltering presence faltered in the face of such presence.

“I found him within my city. It was only yesterday that I discovered him."

"And? Why did you think that he's one of us without evidence?"

"The statue of Duellitarro’s Triumph, sculpted by the [Royal Sculptor], Sculturra Terenta. That Feat of his had a profound effect on Numisley. An effect only present in our bloodline."

"A statue is no evidence in any court."

The head of House Commerro announced his presence. His sudden appearance shocked the other Comerros. They were sure that Escribanorr didn't invite him. Two Auras clashed with each other, making the air shimmer between the heads of House Commerro and Naveirei.

“Do you have something to do with this?” Matironra steely asked the Commerro’s Count.

“No, not exactly. Yet, Numisley Gildin is my [Trader], with my Signo Dato.” Torresso Commerro answered. “But, he broke one of the realm’s laws. A mere [Trader] has no right to claim the heritage of nobility!”

“I have the right. Upon my blood, honor, and homeland, I declare my intention to undergo the Ritual of the Ichoricon to prove my heritage.” Numisley moved out of Escribanorr’s shadow, facing Torresso Commerro.

“He is one of us. He has Naveirei’s grace and tenacity. Thus, it is my lawful duty to back his claim and intention.” Escribanorr defended Numisley. “

“Sentiment has no place on the Decree’s judgment on the matters of bloodline.” Torresso countered. “And besides, Numisley Gildin is indebted to me. He owes me 300 torosi that he did not pay. Gold for that Signo Dato, the barrels of fish I had provided him, and their building in my city. So, according to the Amithrales Charter, the claimant doesn't have the right to undergo the Ichoricon.”

Matinronra picked up the metal halberd and thumped it on the ground. The sound resounded throughout the hall, ominously reminding them of the [Duchess]’ wrath. Numisley instinctively withdrew behind Escribanorr.

“This matter will be adjudicated in private, under the guidance of the [Priests].” Matinronra weighed the two sides and waited for the right moment to interrupt. She sent a telepathic message to his nephew.

“We will talk about this later.”

The formal commemoration continued on as if nothing happened. The library was now open for the interested nobility to peruse. Now, there were already rumors circulating among the invited nobility about the disunity among the Naveirei. Those who consider the House to be a rival and threat formulated plans that exploit it.

Numisley and Cultrost were discreetly evacuated out of the celebration by Escribanorr’s [Servants],.

Escribanorr's diligent [Servants] discretely evacuated Numisley and Cultrost. With careful maneuvering and Feats, they evaded the curiosity of the guests. The [Servants] proceeded to lead them towards one of the rooms and pushed them inside.

“I don't understand. Why are you detaining us?” Cultrost protested. They were now in a dusty storage room with stacked wooden crates. The room is only lit by a vertical window slit.

“This will be temporary. My lord will get you out within the day. He wanted to make sure that none of them will exploit Numisley Gildin.” One of the [Servants] answered. He is a nondescript man wearing the muted orange clothing of the castle’s servants that didn’t quite fit his body.

“Naveirei.” Numisley barked. “What do you mean, ‘exploit’?”

“The lords and ladies are interested in approaching you. Acquiring you as their assets to whatever they had planned.”’

The door closed shut. The Gildin Brothers resigned to wait in the dim room.

After that stunt, the Duchess of the Naveirei had demanded Escribanorr to his office.

“Why did you sabotage your own party? I already hear those sniveling scum plotting our demise. Disunited, they say!” Matinronra slammed her creased fists on Escribanorr’s desk. The solid cedar cracked under her strength.

“I took the opportunity. As I said before, I found him a few days before the party, and I felt like it’s proper to restore a rightful scion to his heritage.” Escribanorr replied.

“Where did you find that stray anyway? And why didn’t you tell me?”

“It was my mistake. But, if you want to blame someone, blame my impolite son who found him within my city. I had listened to Numisley’s story and verified the facts. He has the blood curse that had disabled his leg.”

“The Bloodline Curse? So he’s my grandson. He looked like Jascias more than his mother.” Matinronra remarked.

“I did not know about the debt he owed the Commerros.” Escribanorr added.

“He didn’t know better. Rotten trick. Like the Gaviolos, Comerros are the rot seeping in the wood.”

“So, will you back your grandson?”

“No. We don’t need another succession crisis in Torregorn. My daughter and his spouse already dealt with one.”

“But–”

“Not only that. He’s in debt.”

“We can pay that measly sum.”

“No. We won’t pay. That Commerro implied that Numisley is irresponsible enough to not pay his debt. With the help of a persuasion-Feat, I’m sure. A debt unpaid is a sin in our faith. Debt leads to crime. And not only that, think of what the other nobility thoughts about that stray. He is a Commerroean [Trader] in their eyes…”

“I see what you mean.”

“...And if ever it comes to light that my daughter didn’t die in battle, but rather ran away with that [Spymaster] to Libertalia–”

“Disgrace.”

“Yes.”

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

“Even if they saved the kingdom?”

“Of course. They–The Commerros, the Gaviolos, their ilk would find any excuse, any chink, any weakness to discredit them to spit on them. They’re lucky they kept their titles for this long because of necessity.”

“So how can we help them?”

“You. Not me. I still haven’t approved of my daughter’s marriage to that commoner. I don’t consider him as my grandson. She should have married a better person.”

Escribanorr saw his aunt storm out of his office and slammed the door. After several moments, someone knocked on the door.

“Come in.”

His son, Anteojor entered the room.

“Are the ‘guests’ gone?” Escribanorr massaged his temples.

“Yes, father–my lord.” Anteojor saw the creases on his father’s forehead.

“Tell Numisley and that Satyr to come here.”

The [Servants] let Numisley and Cultrost free after making sure that there's no one around. The guest had already left the castle, stayed at the library, or stayed in one of the available rooms.

They informed them that Escribanorr had summoned them. Numisley and Cultrost barged into Escribanorr's office, too incensed to remember their manners.

“So, what now?” Numisley asked, insolently omitting his noble title.

“I regret to inform you that I can’t pay your debt to the Commerros. I can’t back your claim due to that.” Escribanorr leaned forwards from his seat.

“Why not?” Numisley asked.

“A lot of factors. Mainly reputation.”

“Reputation?”

“See, since you are indebted to that Count, they expect you to pay your debt to him. Since us, the Naveirei House, and the Decree-damned Commerros are rivals with their relations to House Gaviolos, us paying your debt will inevitably give money to the Commerros, which puts our reputation and position at risk.”

“Sounds complicated,” Cultrost whispered to Numisley.

“When you rise, there are many ways you can fall, to quote a local saying," Escribanorr said.

“Can you give us advice? Something to help us?” Numisley asked, resisting to urge to beg. He knew that their company was now in financial danger, more so due to the debt to both the [Smugglers] and that Count.

“My advice? Find a way to pay the debt. I would guess that he’s going to impose a heavy interest rate with little to no time to pay it. If there’s an opportunity for your company to make money…I’ll make sure to notify you. Is that acceptable?”

Numisley gave it a thought, before turning towards his brother.

“Whaddya think, brother?”

“I think it's solid,” Cultrost replied curtly.

Numisley extended his hand forwards.

“We have a deal.”

Numisley and Cultrost had left the keep, disappointed with the news. They were heading home when the Count approached them. His wife stayed behind with their son, observing them. Racieros stared at Cultrost with a forlorn look.

“I expect you to pay your debt to me fifteen days from now.”

The Count deviously smiled like a predatory housecat playing with its prey, knowing that Numisley wouldn’t be able to pay the debt anytime soon. Numisley sneered like a cornered hound, holding back the fiery ire that he would spit from his tongue. Their stares clashed with each other for a few seconds before Numisley backed away.

“Fine.”

Numisley stormed away from the Count, propped on Cultrost shoulder as they headed towards their wagon.

“Who are those? Is that the claimant of the Naveirei blood?”

The Count turned towards his wife who innocently asked the question, then took a disappointing glance at his son who judged him with his gaze due to the trick he used.

“Yes. I assure you, he’s not of the Naveirei. A lowly commoner who doesn’t know his place. Who didn’t pay his debts.” Torresso answered.

“Where did he come from? He was with one of the barbarians plaguing the Ersenwyenian coasts.” The two brothers piqued Strraina’s curiosity.

“Libertalia. The Wild Continent.” Torresso answered curtly.

Racieros’ ears prickled red as he heard his mother’s comment about Cultrost, the “barbarian”. He bit back his defense, knowing that he will embarrass himself. His words will shame him if ever heard.

“They seem interesting...” Strraina lightly commented.

“Perhaps. But they broke my contract. I’ll deal with them soon. I'll meet with the other Commerros that dared to come here.”

“I will be in the carriage, my lord.”

Torresso was already on his way to the other Commerros. He stared at his second wife escorted by his [Knights], feeling a shard deep in his heart. He felt the itch to show her his affection, but he was also conflicted with the longing for his first wife. Yet, he had a duty to do.

He headed towards the clique of the other Commerros with an escort of armed [Knights]. He barged through their conversations, giving stern warnings about ingratiating with their rivals. He only knew about the party through his information network.

This reminds them who is truly in charge of the Commerro House. This reminds them of their duty. This reminds them of their obligations.

He headed to the inn where they were staying at. The Noble Familar is the best inn in this city; he knows this because of his Feat, [Detect Quality Lodging]. For him, who travels across Torregorn and its neighbors, the most important thing is quality lodging. He had bought every room in that inn so he and his family would have some privacy and better service. Some of his family members, the ones who were too close to their rivals, had rooms in the castle.

He nodded to the [Innkeeper] and his familiar behind the counter before coming upstairs. He finds his wife waiting for him on their bed, reading a book.

“Oh, this? I borrowed it from the library. We should build one in Ovespuerte.”

He was unsure whether this is a slight against him or a cheeky jest. He guessed it's most likely the latter.

“Ovespuerte is crowded as it is. And the ports and the [Merchants] that come there are our most important source of income.”

He sat beside his second wife, taking a peek at what she’s reading.

“Our son seems upset. I wonder why.” Strraina told Torresso. Racieros had sulked in the other room when they had arrived here.

“I haven’t got a clue either.” Torresso sighed.

“You should go talk to him.”

“Soon. I need to do what I need to do.”

Torresso stood up and wrote encrypted instructions on a Message Scroll. It magically transmitted his words to the commander of his guard in Ovespuerte. He furled it close. Something tapped on his room’s window, with a wooden capsule tied on its foot. It was a bird with faded brown plumes, an ordinary pigeon one can find anywhere. Torresso knew that if a message isn’t sent through magical means, that means the sender must want the message to be as unseen as possible.

The pigeon had already flown away after he untied the string on its leg. Torresso knew that this was from the former Duke of the Gaviolos House, who now is in his estate. Few people can get away with a coup against the [King]. He wondered how deep his connections were in the kingdom’s Synod. He felt the hum of magic from his Message Scroll, which he thought was already depleted. Torresso realized that somehow, the Duke imbued his Feat on the pigeon.

He released the wooden capsule from the string and read the letter within it:

If ever this matter of bloodline comes to court, I have evidence that will incriminate him. Be sure to update me on this matter via secret channels.

-

“Damn.”

Numisley drummed his fingers on the sheets of his bed. They rested in their room after a tiring day of being politically outmaneuvered.

“He got us. Fucked us over.”

Cultrost pushed aside the pouch of coins that they earned today before he could sit. He lifted the pouch and dropped it on the desk. When he saw the coins in the pouch, his mind shone with an idea.

“Hey. Our father got an account back in that bank back home right?”

“Yeah?”

Cultrost surprised Numisley with his idea. Numisley's brawny brother is on to something.

“Did he have accounts in this place? I mean, he came from here, after all. Dad’s letter said that he had accounts both back home and on this continent.”

“That’s a good idea!” Numisley brightened up. “ Let’s ask Thewardn that.”

“Hope that Dad still got a lot of money.” Cultrost playfully pushed his brother, now lying on the bed.

“I hope that nothing bad will happen to the headquarters back in Ovespuerte.”