Harold nodded and followed him into the mansion's lounge.
The Grand Duke's Mansion was not a place where everyone could freely pass through the inner gates. Those without sufficient status had to wait in the lounge until an elder decided whether they were permitted to proceed further.
The porter's politeness was therefore partly a matter of etiquette.
A great House cared deeply about its reputation.
Even when dealing with someone from a weaker family, they did not want outsiders to say that House Silver had used its position to humiliate or oppress them openly. Maintaining appearances was part of the behavior expected from a great aristocratic House.
That was why Harold was treated politely when he arrived.
But there was another side to that courtesy.
A porter brought him a bowl of water.
It was an ordinary pottery bowl.
The water inside was nothing more than plain boiled water.
There was no tea.
No expensive fruit.
