Chapter 102 --102
Duke Romian processed that. It matched his own observation. When Elara had proposed marriage, she’d been completely clinical about it. No nervousness, no hope, no fear of rejection. Just practical assessment.
"What about the beast knights?" he asked.
"That’s the interesting part." Marcus pulled out another page. "She treats them better than most nobles treat human servants. Fair wages, actual respect, real authority. She promoted several to command positions and gave them operational autonomy."
"Unusual."
"Very. Most nobles view beast knights as property. She views them as... employees. Assets to be maintained and utilized effectively." Marcus looked up. "Your Grace, if I may speak freely?"
"You may."
"Princess Elara is nothing like the reports from before she left the capital. The Fourth Princess was described as weak, withdrawn, ineffectual. This woman is building a commercial empire, destroying political enemies, and running intelligence operations. Something changed."
Duke Romian stood and walked to the window. "Or something was always there, and no one bothered to look."
He thought back to his meeting with Elara. The way she’d presented the marriage proposal like a business contract. The complete absence of emotional appeal. The blunt honesty about her motivations.
Most nineteen-year-old princesses would have approached him with flattery, manipulation, tears. Elara had presented a cost-benefit analysis.
It should have been off-putting.
Instead, it had been... refreshing.