Yet the man before him already seemed fully aware that true power in the North had effectively passed into the hands of the duke's son.
Feeling cold sweat soaking his back, Lowell hurriedly continued.
"What I passed along can hardly be called military secrets. They're the sort of things anyone with sharp eyes could discover—road conditions, market distribution routes, the approximate size of military forces... These are simply the kinds of information every merchant is expected to know. I have also heard that Your Grace gathers detailed intelligence on the North through merchants."
"True. Using merchants' information networks to observe neighboring territories is hardly unusual..."
The man deliberately let the sentence trail off.
Lowell watched the elegant curve of those cold lips with mounting tension.
After several seconds of silence that slowly burned away his composure, the young Grand Duke finally dropped the bombshell.
"But aiding traitors is another matter entirely."
Lowell's shoulders recoiled as though struck by lightning.
He sprang to his feet in alarm.
"T-Treason? That's a slanderous accusation! How could Your Grace possibly say such a thing...!"
"I've heard that the amount of silver coin circulating in the North has increased dramatically since last spring. Curious, isn't it? Especially considering that trade itself hasn't changed much compared to last year."
Lowell's feigned outrage instantly froze on his face.
The Grand Duke of Siorcan leisurely took another sip of wine before continuing.
"I looked into the state of affairs in the North because it had become rather entertaining. During my investigation, I found something fascinating. Some fearless metal engraver had produced an impressively accurate copy of the Roem Imperial minting plates. Care to guess where that craftsman belonged?"
Strength left Lowell's legs, and he collapsed back into his chair.
He had expected reprimands and pressure after being brought here, but never imagined the Grand Duke had already uncovered everything down to the very bottom.
With frightened eyes, he stared up at the astonishingly young ruler.
The man set down his empty goblet with a sharp clack and let out a disappointed sigh.
"Counterfeiting the Imperial minting plates alone is a crime worthy of exterminating three generations of one's family. Yet you went even further and used those coins to fill the purses of traitors... I doubt you'll even be buried with your body intact. Allow me to offer my condolences in advance."
Lowell immediately dropped to his knees before him.
This was no longer the time to worry about how many cards the other man held.
If the Grand Duke had wanted him handed over to the Imperial Tribunal, he would never have brought him to Laedgo Castle. There had to be another purpose.
Abandoning every shred of pride, he began to beg.
"I-I never intended to participate in treason! If I refused to cooperate, I had no idea what would happen to my business or my family. I only agreed to help mint the silver coins because I had no other choice. Please... show me mercy!"
"Are you asking me to overlook your crimes while fully aware that doing so would itself constitute treason? Tell me, what possible benefit would make such a risk worthwhile?"
The man leaned slightly toward him.
His expressionless, beautiful face resembled that of an angel delivering divine punishment.
Through trembling lips, Lowell barely managed to force out the rest.
"If you spare my life this once, I swear that no matter what happens in the future, I will never utter Your Grace's name. Furthermore, I will become your hands and feet, carrying out any dirty task without hesitation. From this day forward... I am your servant."
Instinctively, Lowell knew this was exactly what the man had been waiting to hear when he invited him here.
The young ruler silently studied his face before the corner of his mouth twisted ever so slightly.
It was a smile as sharp as a freshly honed blade.
"Very well. I'll place my trust in that silver tongue of yours."
* * *
She had been lying in bed reading a book, and at some point she must have drifted off to sleep.
Still breathing softly with her eyes closed, Talia felt something cool touch her lips. Unconsciously, she parted them, and a small round object was gently pushed into her mouth.
As she bit down lightly, sweet-and-tart juice burst across her tongue.
She swallowed the slightly softened seed and rubbed her heavy eyelids with the back of her hand. As her vision gradually cleared, Varkas came into focus.
A faint frown appeared between her brows.
Resting one elbow on his knee, he was carefully working at something in his hands.
"What is that?"
"A pomegranate. One of the guests brought it as a gift. Open your mouth."
He carefully removed one crimson seed from the split fruit and held it to her lips.
Talia stared at it blankly for a moment before slowly opening her mouth.
He placed the pomegranate seed onto her tongue, then immediately began picking out another one.