"So, they mean to appease you by offering you the territory. Though it is less an offer and more an acknowledgement of the obvious. They can hardly claim something they have no way to hold."

I respond to that depressingly true statement by taking a large drink of shroom juice. After the departure of Butterfly, the rest of my meeting with the Guiness sisters was incredibly mundane. Boring, even. While she tried hard to hide it, my sudden title threw Marcella for a loop. She deflected with small talk and false concern, but it was plain as day that she was stalling until she could gracefully retreat and regroup.

Maxine was much more honest about her reaction. To sum it up in one word, she was stunned. I don't know if it was one thing or the landslide of revelations dumped on her together, but she was a wreck. She stuttered her way through the conversation but there was so much going on beyond her eyes, I knew it was reflexive.

Even if it wasn't obvious, the behavior of her pet pirate would have given it away. Despite appearances, Rey is not an idiot. She ignored the Butterfly with impressive apathy, but she immediately clued in on her favorite merchant's distress. The way she scooted closer and kept petting at the noblewoman was so ridiculous and awkward I couldn't help but find it a bit cute. I really hope the monstrous maiden doesn't get her heart broken.

I took mercy on the sisters and excused myself quickly. There was a bit of tension as I said my farewell; Marcella wanted her sister to remain at the hotel. Likely to strategize. I was fine with it, but Rey has to come with me. I'm not letting her out of my sight until we get those things inside of her out.

Unfortunately, the pirate didn't like the idea of being separated from Maxine one bit. She didn't have to say it for everyone to know she would refuse. Violently, if needed. The idiot would probably get herself killed and I can't have that. I prefer she cooperate willingly. That meant taking Maxine along as well.

Thankfully, the merchant didn't refuse, distractedly reassuring her sister and trailing after me with a blank look. I didn't pay her much attention after Rey put an arm over her shoulders, trusting the lovestruck pirate to make sure she didn't trip over a step.

It's been hours since then. Once more, the clan is gathered around the dinner table. The perfect time to share the big news. As expected, the reactions are mixed.

Morgene rolls up the scroll, looking distinctly satisfied. She holds it out to Kierra who practically snatches it from her hands. If my mother-in-law is pleased, my wife is ecstatic. She's been beaming that predatory smile of hers from the moment she saw it. No one's been this blatantly proud of me since…I think the first time I successfully summoned an elemental to a circle. Father didn't smile so wide, but he had a similar look in his eyes. Well, not that similar. Family has no business looking at each other the way my lovely savage is eyeing me up and down. If I didn't welcome all her attentions, I might feel violated.

"A fine start."

I shouldn't ask. I ask anyway. "Start to what?"

The purple elf raises a brow, the corners of her lips turning up in a smirk. "To the kingdom you aren't building."

I groan. "It's a territory. One without a capital because I destroyed it. A city that I won't be around to rebuild or rule because I'm leaving."

"Did you set out to conquer this territory?"

"Of course not!"

"And yet, it is yours." Her smirk turns into a smile. "A true conqueror indeed."

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"My gentle conqueror," Kierra purrs, hugging the damn scroll like it's a doll.

Ah, forget it. I'm not going win against these two. Better to block them from sight with my cup.

"Are we staying longer?" Alana asks. She's been thoughtful since I shared the news, but she's hardly reacted. Maybe a mere countess isn't enough to impress the daughter of a duke. Or more likely she views titles differently than most nobles. Being in charge isn't a privilege in the James family. It's a burden. A literal death sentence for the patriarch and his children, generation after generation. "For you to arrange a representative."

She's also dutiful. This territory may only be mine in name, but I accepted. She's not going to be happy if I shrug off the responsibility, is she? Not that I would. "I guess it's a bad idea to let the natives sort it out?"

She levels a deadpan stare at me and I chuckle. "I know, I know. Butterfly offered to help me arrange something, but I was thinking of getting my cousin to do it."

"Jac? Doesn't she want to travel?"

"I was thinking her older brother, Matty. You haven't met him, huh? He's very…solid. Quiet, considerate, and thoughtful. He's the kind of man that if you ask him to do a job, he'll get it done on time, the exact way you asked him to, and he'll clean up afterwards."

"The reliable type," Talia adds, and I point to her.

"Exactly. Very reliable. The kind of man you want minding the store when you have to step out for a few hours. It'd be better if Jac came with him, but I don't want to tie her down." My cousin is ambitious but she's not ungrateful. I've done a lot for her. If I ask her to put off her dreams, I'm sure she'd do it. She's the type to take a life debt seriously.

"Giving how rare it is for you to give anyone a compliment, I guess he must be capable," Alana muses. "Though it makes me wonder how you're related."

"Hey!"

"But will he be interested? Either of them? He's the heir to the family and Jac's not going to find her way onto a boat here."

"I don't know but we can make a compelling offer. Being the heir to the Tome family doesn't mean much. Here, he'd have real authority. And he'd be out from under the machinations of his father." Saints only know what Uncle Jackal is getting up to in the capital, having sold himself to the king.

"He'd also be risking his life." Her eyes narrow as I startle. "He's taking the place of the tyrant that destroyed their city. Worse, he's a blood tie. No matter what story the crown tries to spin, people will be angry. He's a much easier target than us."

Dammit, she makes a good point. I can't put Matty in that position unless I'm sure he's protected. No, somebody else can take that risk. Sigh. "I guess I'll be talking with Butterfly again."

Alana raises a brow. "You sound like you don't want to."

Of course I don't want to. "She's a seer."

Morgene scoffs. "A fake celestial. How ridiculous. They are far more than their spells. True celestials have minds and bodies able to withstand their gifts. Someone trying to use their power without being born to it is not just a mockery, they're an embarrassment. It'd be a miracle if they could be a tenth as effective as a true fateweaver."

"Well, it's been good enough to secretly manipulate the entire kingdom for the last five centuries."

"That's less a compliment of their ability and more an insult to your entire species."

Brutal. "I don't care if she's real or fake. Seers are problems. You don't get involved with them, end all. It was bad enough when I found out one was behind the mess in the north. Now I've got one seeking me out? Handing me royal writs?" I shudder, suppressing the dread that hadn't quite left me from the moment I saw that golden gaze.

Alana crosses her arms. "You've got it wrong. You're concerned that this seer will try to rope you into a scheme, right? Well, if they can see the future, they'll know that's a terrible idea. There may be a problem if they're an elf, but these are the people that have prevented Harvest from having a major conflict from the time of its founding. If anything, that power you're so afraid of will make sure they stay as far away from you as possible."

I gape at her. Then I laugh. I have to set my cup down, as relief makes my grip weak. "You're right! Saints, you're absolutely right." Of course. Butterfly knows that getting involved with me will lead to nothing but ruin. The proof is how she acted earlier. The poor woman was nearly overwhelmed by my simple presence. There's always the chance that the group behind her tries something, powerful people don't tend to like being told what they should do, but I'm sure she'll do everything she can to stop them.

I could kiss my knight right now.

Eh. Why not?

She yelps as I suddenly appear next to her. I swallow her soft sound of protest as I pull her lips to mine, and it only takes a moment for her to melt into me.

At the end of the table, Morgene huffs. "Still young."

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