CH361 Final Prep
***
"Very well. I won't interfere then," Drake said simply.
Alex frowned, a thought forming in his mind.
"Father, are you sure Duke Wastelander won't support Alric?" he asked. "I hear he's the duke's favourite son."
"I'm sure," Drake replied without hesitation. "It doesn't take a genius to understand why the Wastelanders are so fixated on your lass, Zora. Anyone who looks at a map of the east of the empire would see the reason. But attacking you—or our House—won't guarantee Alric her favour. If anything, it'll alienate her.
"She's not a fool. If something were to happen to you while she's still fond of you, the Wastelanders would be the first suspects."
He leaned back slightly, "Siegmund may be proud, but he's not foolish enough to play a losing hand."
"I see…" Alex murmured, his expression thoughtful.
He recalled the Auction House incident—the look in Alric's eyes, and the faint but unmistakable malice he'd sensed.
