We had been on friendly enough terms that he had once argued to the grand duke that judicial authority should be actively delegated to me, but in court politics, yesterday's friend can become today's enemy at any moment.
And now the Judicial Department and my own faction had become enemies.
Still, that didn't mean compromise was impossible.
"I don't understand it. Weren't you and the Military Department political enemies of the Reinfeldt family, Baron? Why shield Adelbert like this? Did the man offer the Finance Department up to you on a platter?"
"Our political enemy was Heinz von Reinfeldt. And he is dead."
"And Adelbert is not? That is pure sophistry!"
The Judicial Minister pushed back hard, but he would find it difficult to withstand a prince's pressure. It was in his nature to avoid clashing with the Finance Department back when it was strong. Weak before the strong, strong before the weak.
Such is the true nature of a man who preaches law and justice.
