The door opened, and Duke Cyrus Glimor entered.
He was exactly as the rumors described.
Late forties, dark hair, sharp features that suggested intelligence tempered by experience.
He wore formal attire that managed to be both elegant and practical, expensive fabric cut for comfort rather than show.
His presence filled the room imdiately. Not through arrogance, but simple authority. The kind that ca from years of managing a powerful rchant house and navigating noble politics.
I stood quickly and bowed, keeping the gesture respectful but not servile. "Duke Glimor. Thank you for agreeing to see . I apologize for the unannounced visit and any inconvenience—"
"No need for apologies." Cyrus waved his hand dismissively as he moved to the chair opposite . "Though I admit I’m curious what brings a Raith to my door without prior notice."
He settled into his seat with practiced ease, studying with those sharp grey eyes.
A maid entered carrying a tea service before I could respond. She set the tray between us with quiet efficiency, poured for both of us, and departed without a word.
The whole operation took maybe thirty seconds.
Cyrus took a sip of his tea, waiting.
I accepted my own cup, buying myself a mont to settle my nerves.
Careful. Every word matters here.
"I’m currently on sester break from the Academy," I began, keeping my tone respectful but direct. "I ca to Greyford primarily because I wanted to et my future brother-in-law. To see the estate and household my sister Cassandra will be joining."
Cyrus’s expression shifted slightly. Not quite surprise, but interest.
"A thoughtful gesture," he said. "Though perhaps one you should have arranged in advance. Killian left for the capital two days ago. He’ll be gone for at least a week, possibly two."
I felt my face fall slightly, letting disappointnt show.
Yeah, I know.
"That’s unfortunate," I said, and it wasn’t entirely a lie. Having Killian gone actually made this easier, but I couldn’t let Cyrus know that. "I was hoping to see him, get to know him better before the wedding."
"The engagent is still months away," Cyrus said, though his tone had ward fractionally. "There will be ti. And the fact that you made the journey shows consideration for your sister’s future. That speaks well of you."
He took another sip of tea, and I could see him reassessing slightly.
"Since you’ve made the journey anyway," Cyrus continued, "perhaps we can discuss the alliance between our houses. I assu your father sent word of your visit?"
Ah. There it is.
"Not exactly, my lord." I kept my voice steady. "My father and I have... differing perspectives on certain matters. He doesn’t always approve of my initiatives."
Cyrus’s eyebrow raised fractionally, but he didn’t comnt on the obvious family tension.
"I see. Well then, what exactly are these ’initiatives’ that brought you here?"
I set down my tea, leaning forward slightly.
Here goes.
"During my travels here, I noticed sothing about the rchant routes through the northern passes. The roads near the border territories."
His attention sharpened imdiately. rchant Duke. Of course trade routes would get his interest.
"Go on."
"There’s a new tariff structure being implented," I said carefully. "Most rchants haven’t caught wind of it yet. The regional lords are keeping it quiet until the official announcent next month. But my father ntioned it in passing during a discussion about our own holdings."
Cyrus’s eyes narrowed, calculating.
"What kind of tariff structure?"
"Increased fees on luxury goods coming through the northern pass, but reduced rates on raw materials and bulk textiles." I watched his face carefully. "The lords are trying to encourage local manufacturing. They want finished goods produced in the region rather than just passing through."
It was true, actually. Father had complained about it at dinner months ago, annoyed that it would affect our minimal trade inco.
But for soone like Cyrus, with the resources to pivot quickly...
"If soone moved early," I continued, "secured contracts for raw materials before prices adjust, established manufacturing partnerships in the northern territories before everyone else catches on... there’d be significant advantages."
Cyrus was silent for a long mont, his fingers tapping thoughtfully against his teacup.
I could practically see him running calculations, weighing the information’s value, determining if I was telling the truth or trying to manipulate him.
"Interesting," he said finally. "And you’re sharing this with because?"
"Because the Glimor family stands to benefit more from it than a minor barony with barely any trade presence," I said honestly. "And because once Cassandra marries into your family, it would be beneficial for everyone if I proved myself useful rather than just another useless noble relative."
The blunt honesty seed to catch him off guard. His expression shifted, sothing almost like approval flickering across his face.
"Practical," he said. "Unusually so for soone your age."
He set down his tea, leaning back in his chair.
"I’ll have my people look into this. If the information proves accurate and actionable, I’ll rember the favor." His grey eyes fixed on . "And if it proves false?"
"Then I’ve wasted your ti, and you’ll have every right to treat accordingly," I said simply.
Another long mont of assessnt.
Then he nodded slowly.
"Fair enough. Was there anything else?"
This is it.
I straightened slightly, keeping my expression casual but serious.
"Actually, yes. One more thing, if I may." I paused. "I learned that a woman nad Agnes Marlowe is in your employ, working as a housemaid."
Cyrus’s eyebrow raised. "And?"
"I’d like to purchase her contract. If you’re willing to part with her services, I’m prepared to pay well above standard rates."
His expression shifted, curiosity mixing with sothing more guarded.
"Why?"
I t his gaze steadily.
"Personal reasons, my lord. She was my maid since I was a child. Took care of through a serious illness." I kept my voice even, not overly emotional. "She left our household about a year ago. I didn’t get a chance to... well. I’d like the opportunity to speak with her. To thank her properly."
It wasn’t the whole truth. But it was close enough.
Cyrus studied for a long mont, his sharp eyes trying to read what I wasn’t saying.
"You traveled all this way for a childhood servant?"
"I traveled to et my future brother-in-law," I corrected gently. "Learning she was here was fortunate timing."
He didn’t look entirely convinced, but he also didn’t look suspicious. Just... curious.
"There is a woman by that na working here," he said slowly. "Agnes Marlowe."
My heart jumped, but I kept my expression controlled.
"However," Cyrus continued, "I’ll need to speak with her first. Ensure she’s anable to this arrangent. I don’t sell contracts of servants who don’t wish to leave."
Fair. More than fair, actually.
"Of course, my lord. That’s entirely reasonable."
Cyrus stood, and I quickly followed suit.
"Wait here," he said, moving toward the door. "I’ll have soone to bring her up. You can speak with her briefly. If she agrees, we’ll discuss terms."
He paused at the doorway, looking back at .
Then he left, his footsteps echoing down the corridor as he called for a servant.
I stood there alone in the guest room, my heart pounding against my ribs.
She’s here. Agnes is actually here.
Now I just had to hope she’d agree to leave with .
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