Chapter 316
“So, what happened next?”
“What else could happen? They fled to the provinces in embarrassment. Haven’t heard anything since.”
Eripony lounged half-sprawled on the plush sofa, tapping ash from her long pipe. Smoke scattered with her low laughter. She was thoroughly entertained by what Alenara, sitting opposite her, had just shared.
Life was the same everywhere – the noble social circles of both Bariel and Ruswena were complete messes. As Eripony swept back her hair, the sharp-witted Alenara immediately rekindled her pipe’s embers.
“Alenara, you’re quite diligent for a noble lady.”
“Thank you.”
Eripony blew smoke toward her demonstratively.
It wasn’t empty praise but genuine appreciation. She’d already taken a liking to Alenara’s desperate attempts to climb up that night at the banquet, and she was proving useful in various ways. Though she seemed to be merely chattering away, her gossip contained information that foreigners couldn’t possibly know.
“So, Haiman’s fortune was split and transformed into ten banks. Which one’s the biggest operation?”