Theron's spirit lifted with that thought.
He had Aveline. Even if all else failed, he had her!
Confidence boost, change in demeanor.
"Do you know," he said quietly, "what I find remarkable, Lord Chancellor?"
The older man arched a brow.
"That every noble presently hoarding cotton claims to be safeguarding his family's future." Theron's gaze sharpened. "And yet none seem concerned about whether there will be a kingdom left to inherit if the people freeze."
A flicker crossed the Chancellor's face, though it vanished almost immediately. "The people endure," he said dismissively. "They always have."
"They endure because they have no choice."
"And rulers survive because they understand necessity."
Theron took a slow step forward. "No," he said. "Rulers survive because the people permit them to."
Silence settled over the corridor.
The Chancellor studied him carefully. "An interesting sentiment," he said. "One might almost mistake it for idealism."
