Once the refreshments were served and the servants had withdrawn, Count Raymond took a seat in a nearby chair, his expression growing solemn.
"Lord Melfield," he began, choosing his words carefully. "A moment ago, outside the Iris Pavilion, I happened to witness the scene in front of the Gold Harvest Bank."
He paused, looking at Murphy with sincere eyes. "In your view, were the actions of that steward... right?"
Murphy lifted his teacup, steam swirling from its surface. "Merchants chase profit, and market prices fluctuate. That is to be expected. They have their own considerations when setting prices."
It was clearly a safe, non-committal platitude.
Upon hearing this, Count Raymond shook his head gently, a look of almost pained disappointment on his face.
"No, my lord, that is not right." His voice was low. "That is far from simple profiteering. It is exploitation. It is extortion. It is taking advantage of the desperate and helpless to reap unjust gains."
