No one would dare underestimate the strength of these young people. The very fact that they've shown up at this gathering means they already speak for their families. Whatever they do, whatever they say, those old bastards lurking in the background can easily squeeze enough intel out of this party.
They can clearly see exactly what kind of cards Margaret and that Fatty are holding, what kind of power they can unleash, what kind of terms they'll lay out to sway a family's stance.
That said, tonight really isn't a great time for a party. Even though Hastings still exerts massive deterrence and influence over this country. The generals under him, the Hastings family's forces, will obey his orders without the slightest hesitation and hit back with the hardest counterstrike against anyone who dares launch an attack.
But there's always someone who'll risk everything.
