"Fine," Levon said.
Besides, this was far safer.
The emperor must have long been wary of the true relationship between two powerful clans: the Varyns and the Rashets. But the truth was... complicated.
The Rashets came from a neutral faction. They stayed out of court intrigues. The Varyns were the opposite. They were leaders of a powerful political faction that had once also been neutral, until they were forced to take a pro-war stance against the barbarians when the Ubian lands became involved. Now, it seemed the Varyns had to wage more and more wars just to reclaim Ubian.
As for the relationship between the two houses? There was no grand alliance. Just a friendship—struck since their teenage years—between the future heir of Rashet and the current duke, who had often visited the Rashet manor as a boy.
"Someone should pass a message to Kyle. He needs to stay away for a while. A general's son shouldn't be getting too close to anyone. He should stay at the Sinopia Inn if he wants to have a talk—" Levon stopped. "Is that inn's name too obvious, Dorian?"
Dorian sipped, his face didn't change.
"No one takes an obvious name seriously," he replied. "And if someone does grow suspicious, it's easy to spot them."
Levon exhaled, as if he'd had enough.
"I'm going. I have a wedding to attend tomorrow. You're not invited."
Dorian's mouth curved, amused.
"Congratulations."
Levon turned away.
He felt, deep down, that he could finally stand against this man—once he took control of the mine.
...
THE WEDDING was private. Most guests were clan members, with only a handful of outsiders. Weddings among the great clans, like the Rashets, were kept out of the public eye. They treated weddings as sacred events, not festive ones.
But the few invited outsiders managed to see the bride. Nona Leana Ochia was good-looking, well-mannered, and more than qualified to become a nobleman's wife.
Nona smiled faintly, aware of their admiring gazes. She watched Levon Ares Rashet talking to some guests across the reception hall.
Before, she had only been able to admire him from afar. He was very handsome. His manners were impeccable. And she hadn't expected to become his wife. If Levon finally inherits his title, she would become the next marchioness of the Rashet Clan.
"I hope you'll help Levon build the next generation of the Rashet family. It's unfortunate the late marchioness passed so soon. She would have been able to guide you properly," Ezekias said.
"I'll do my best to ease the young master's burdens and become his strength," Nona replied politely. "Thank you, my lord."
When the marquis left, a maid approached and whispered, "Madam, the tea is ready in Rosemary Hall."
Nona nodded.
This was Elder Chem's first order, before they both cut off communication. And she had made sure it would happen during the wedding night, when she and the young master would share tea as a newlywed couple.
When the maid left, Nona gathered herself and approached Levon, who was still deep in conversation with a group of men.
...
PARAGON HALL
"My lady, aren't you going to do something?" Fay frowned. She and the young lady remained in Paragon Hall, of course. Unmarried noble ladies weren't allowed to attend weddings. "I bet that two-faced woman is scheming right now. She's the smartest daughter from the branch."
"Brother is watching her," Nyasia said with a bored expression, flipping another page.
What preoccupied her mind now was Maryan's silence. Or the Jade Temple's. Ever since Dorian had killed the merchant and his people, nothing had surfaced, as if they had changed their plans.
Was it possible their strategy had shifted the moment Dorian appeared at Rashet Manor, right after the public reveal that she was the sole heiress of the iron mine?
"But my lady, we should still be vigilant. Don't you think she might be determined that... something will happen tonight?" Fay pressed on.
Nyasia glanced at Fay.
"What's the point?" Nyasia replied. "They're married. Drugging him wouldn't make sense unless Brother somehow forgot what happens on a wedding night." She paused. "Besides, if he needs a potion to figure things out, we've got bigger problems."
"E—er," Fay muttered.
She realized, indeed, scheming on the wedding night was stupid—the worst possible timing.
"Time isn't on Elder Chem's side," Nyasia said, remembering how Dorian had mercilessly used desperation to unravel his enemies. It might be that Elder Chem was desperate enough to use the wedding night to make his move.
"Assassination won't work here. That would be stupid. Drugging him? For what? Because the Ochia family wants Nona to have a child right away? That's playing the long scheme. And Elder Chem wants full control of the mine now. So what is it, then?"
Fay was thinking too.
Nyasia furrowed her brows.
"Or... what if she doesn't drug him... but lets him take something else..."
*