Cornel poured out all his worries, holding nothing back.
"The Believers of the Evangelical Church aren't much of a concern; under the pressure of the Orthodoxy their voices will only grow weaker. But the other ministers and Dukes don't see it that way. They have vast enterprises in every trade—war will only shrink their fortunes. They may refuse to go to war, and when that time comes those discordant voices will drag us down. You have the power to command them, but now you're trapped in a sickbed…"
Cornel's voice gradually trailed off.
The King didn't speak. Only after a long silence did he slowly begin to talk about the past.
"Have I ever told you about your grandfather?"
"No. His name is a taboo. When I was a child, even a curious question about him would earn me one of your furious scoldings."
