It was late at night when the message reached Barishik. Louis III and the Queen were already asleep, only to be unexpectedly woken by men sent from Marquis George.
Assisted by his servants, Louis III hastily dressed, his face showing a hint of anger. He sent for Earl Daniel, the Chancellor on duty for the night.
A position like Chancellor all but guaranteed that the family behind Earl Daniel would soon be granted the title of Count, elevating them to the ranks of the high nobility. In fact, Earl Daniel's younger brother was already on the next list of peerages.
Earl Daniel was a Viscount from the south. Louis III had poached him specifically to undermine Marquis Oscillate.
Serving the Royal Family was an indispensable step on the path to joining the high nobility. For generations, kings had used this very opportunity to sow division between the northern and southern nobles and maintain a political balance.
