Dorian didn't flinch. He simply set down his cup, and the soft click of porcelain against wood seemed louder than it should.
"The Varyns never touched natural resources. Gold, copper, silver." Dorian arched a brow. "Do you know why, Lord Rashet?" He let the silence stretch. "Volatility. We want only land and wealth management. That is what the Varyns are. That is all we will ever be."
"But you destroyed the Kissells, one of your largest clients," Ezekias said with a slight curve on his lips.
Dorian smiled faintly, leaning his arm against the headrest. "You have no idea how much they used our banks as pockets to fund their extravagant lifestyle."
His response made Ezekias remember the Kissell scandal. It was clear to him now that this duke had played a role in the Kissells' downfall.
"My daughter has been frail since childhood. And becoming duchess of such vast territory—"
"We clearly disagree on who Nyasia Sofia truly is," Dorian said flatly.
Ezekias barely suppressed a flinch.
"Are you saying you know my daughter that well? She's never been out in society due to her poor health. Your Grace, you sound as if you're not interested in a political marriage. And yet I'm sure you haven't known her well enough to be making this proposal."
"I'm quite sure," Dorian replied, letting the silence hang. "In our circles, marriage is a matter of family agreement, not acquaintance. Why isn't it enough that I saved your daughter's life?"
Ezekias's brow furrowed.
So he's calling in that debt now?
"The emperor," Dorian said, "is a blobfish. I'll handle him."
Ezekias almost laughed.
"I still don't trust you."
Dorian rose. Straightened his coat. Looked down at the marquis with those dark, unreadable eyes.
"We'll talk again in a week."
"Your Grace—"
"I'm not asking for your trust, Lord Rashet. I'm telling you, no one touches her. No one marries her. Only me."
He turned toward the door.
Ezekias found himself speechless.
...
IN PARAGON HALL, Nyasia flipped another page, yet she hadn't truly read a single word. Fay watched from the corner, biting back a smile.
"My lady," Lea said, slipping through the door. "His Grace is leaving. He didn't—" She paused. "He didn't come here."
Nyasia paused.
"I'm not asking," she said.
Fay and Lea exchanged a glance.
They didn't believe the lady wasn't bothered. The duke had made an sudden official visit, and he hadn't even come to the Paragon. Not even a single letter that he had returned. It was very strange.
...
THE FIRST PRINCE, Kaelian Aurelio, sat by the window, a glass of wine in his hand. The evening light caught the sharp angles of his face, which was softer than Dorian's. Behind him, his spymaster knelt, head bowed.
"Say that again," Kaelian murmured.
"The Grand Duke formally proposed to the Rashet heiress. In person. At the manor. He told the marquis—" The spymaster hesitated.
Kaelian laughed. A low, genuine sound that made his spymaster flinch. Then he swirled his wine. "Dorian Alexei Varyn. The man who refused the Second Princess. Who destroyed the Kissells. Who gutted the Oshens. And now he kneels for a sickly girl no one has seen in years?"
"She's not sickly, Your Highness. Not anymore. And she's been seen. At the Rashet banquet. The Third Prince noticed her."
Kaelian's smile faded.
"Derrik noticed her?"
"He invited her to the Queen Dowager's banquet. She hasn't responded yet."
Kaelian set down his glass and rose. He walked to the window, looking out over the capital.
"The Rashet heiress. The iron mine. The seal." He tilted his head. "And Dorian Varyn—who never wanted power—is suddenly building an empire."
"Your Highness?"
Kaelian turned. His eyes were bright, calculating.
"Find out everything about her. Her illness. Her habits. Her weaknesses. If Dorian Varyn wants her that badly..." His lips curved. "Then she is the key to destroying him. I'm sure I shall meet her soon."
"How, Your Highness?"
Kaelian smiled.
"The Queen Dowager's banquet. Derrik invited her. I'll make sure she attends." He set down the glass. "I'll show her what a real prince looks like."
His spymaster bowed.
"One more thing," Kaelian said. "Find out why Dorian visited the Oshens' estates in the peninsula."
He turned back to the window.
"Dorian Alexei Varyn fell in love. What a weakness."
He laughed.