CHAPTER 66: VARNACITE VEIN [1]

As the others went on flattering the Duke’s daughter like drunken poets, the Count leaned slightly toward forward and spoke to Selene in a voice coated with politeness.

"Lady Selene," he said smoothly, gesturing subtly with a nod toward Alaric, "If you don’t mind my asking... who might this young man be?"

He masked it well, the curiosity, the calm, but Alaric noticed it. The brief strain behind the eyes. The twitch of a knuckle. Something tight in his voice.

Jealousy? Discomfort?

Like father, like son, Alaric thought dryly, keeping his face perfectly blank.

Selene simply smiled, and spoke in a smooth and calm voice.

"He’s my nephew."

A ripple passed through the table.

A few heads turned sharply in her direction, some in surprise, others in quiet curiosity.

A couple of gazes lingered on Alaric now, more attentive than before. He could almost feel the subtle shift in the air as they began to weigh him, recalibrate their assumptions.

But no one looked more stunned than Alaric himself.

Nephew?

His eyes flicked toward Selene, lips parting slightly, caught between disbelief and confusion.

That wasn’t the story they’d agreed on. His expression didn’t move much, but the slight furrow in his brow betrayed the thoughts running through his head.

Selene didn’t say anything else. She just tilted her head slightly, meeting his gaze with a knowing smile, her eyes glinting with quiet amusement. As if to say, ’Liked the surprise?’

Alaric held her gaze for a moment, then looked away.

Across from him, the Count finally exhaled, his shoulders easing ever so slightly, as if a weight had rolled off his back. He gave a soft, relieved chuckle and leaned forward with a more relaxed smile.

"Ah, I see," he said, nodding. "Then allow me to greet you properly, young man. Welcome." His tone was warm, but something faint flickering beneath. Perhaps curiosity. Or caution.

Alaric met the man’s eyes and gave a single nod, neither rude nor too polite.

He didn’t speak.

He didn’t need to.

The Duke gave a light chuckle, brushing a hand through his peppered beard before his gaze shifted back toward the center of the table.

"Well then," he said in a cordial tone, "let’s return to the matter of the vein. This Varnacite... from what I gather, it may be far more valuable than our initial estimates."

He leaned back slightly, as if offering a neutral stance, but there was a faint glint in his eye, measured and careful.

"Naturally, we wouldn’t want a single house to shoulder the burden of securing such a resource alone. Especially with recent beast movements near the woods. A coordinated approach may serve us all."

It was subtle. A veiled suggestion, not quite a demand, yet clear enough for those listening closely.

Selene’s expression didn’t waver.

"Of course," she said smoothly, her voice wrapped in elegance.

"Safety is a shared concern. But I’m certain House Glimor is more than capable of protecting its borders."

The Duke gave a small nod, as if acknowledging her point.

But his tone remained steady. "Even so, the Crown would naturally like oversight, just to ensure things proceed... efficiently."

A pause. Then, almost as an afterthought, he turned toward the silver-blue haired girl beside him.

"My daughter has been following such affairs closely of late. I believe she’s quite capable of assisting in matters of logistics and coordination."

The young woman then straightened and spoke in a firm tone.

"If permitted, I’d be glad to contribute where appropriate. I’ve reviewed recent reports regarding the forest routes and shifts in regional supply lines. There are vulnerabilities, but also... opportunities, if addressed properly."

Selene smiled politely, tilting her head.

"How diligent. I’m sure we’ll find a way to include your insights, Lady Verelia. It’s always refreshing when the younger generation takes such interest."

Veleria nodded and continued, "This vein lies at the convergence of three territories. Rather than viewing this as a source of division, might we not see it as providence, a chance to strengthen the bonds between our lands?"

Selene’s eyes narrowed slightly. "But the Blackthorn hold have guarded that area for generations."

"As Stonevile’s quarries have provided the foundation stones for half the keeps in this duchy," Baroness Elira added pointedly.

"And Redtrail’s trade routes," Baron Varell interjected, "ensure any extracted wealth actually reaches the markets."

Veleria nodded respectfully to each speaker.

"Indeed. Each barony brings essential strengths. Therefore, I propose a joint venture—equal partnership between Blackthorn, Stonevile, and Redtrail. Shared investment, shared labor, shared profits."

The silence stretched like a bowstring.

"And the oversight?" Baron Torren asked quietly from the far end of the table.

"The duchy, naturally, would provide administrative coordination. A modest fee for ensuring fair distribution and resolving any... operational disputes."

Duke Garran watched the play of emotions across the nobles’ faces, calculation, reluctance, and gradual recognition of the proposal’s wisdom.

His daughter had learned well the art of offering solutions that served multiple interests.

"A reasonable framework," he said finally, his tone carefully neutral. "

"I trust we’ve come to a reasonable understanding?"

He gave a small, expectant smile.

Just as the Duke’s words trailed off, a blue panel flickered to life in front of Alaric.

[New Quest: Stake Your Claim]

Objective: Assert your authority over the council regarding the Varnacite Veins.

Optional Bonus: Undermine the Duke’s subtle maneuver without direct confrontation.

Reward: ??? hidden bonus.

Alaric blinked once, his expression remaining carefully neutral as he processed the system’s new quest. The timing was impeccable.

"Before we seal this accord," Selene said suddenly, her voice cutting through the moment with gentle authority, "I believe we should hear from one more voice."

Her emerald eyes locked on Alaric and a small smile played at her lips. "What do you think about this, my dear nephew?"

Every head in the chamber turned toward Alaric.

He felt the weight of their gazes, calculating, curious, some perhaps dismissive.

Duke Garran’s eyes narrowed slightly, clearly not expecting this development. Veleria’s composed expression flickered a little, but she hid it.

Alaric raised a brow at the unexpected prompt, but within seconds, his posture shifted.

He straightened, calmly placing his hands over his knees as he let his gaze sweep across each face at the table.

"The proposal shows admirable... cooperation," he began, his tone respectful but somehow commanding attention.

"However, I fear we’re treating symptoms rather than the disease."