Chapter 44 - Encounter - IV
"I am Thadeus Ferrox Umbra," he declared, not even extending a hand for a greeting. "And you don't have the qualities necessary to stand by Her Majesty's side."
'I knew it. The moment of chaos. A member of one of the three noble families stationed here in the north of the empire.'
I frowned in displeasure at his argument.
"Is that so? And what would those necessary qualities be, that you speak so highly of, which would be enough for anyone on this planet to stand by Selene's side?"
My words surprised Thadeus. A clever play of arguments, and I was just waiting for him to fall into the trap.
"Agh... Agh... It takes more than just having affinities. Someone who stands by the queen's side should come from a good lineage and be the support she so desperately needs!" he said exasperatedly, trying to organize his thoughts.
"Then why has none of the great geniuses of this generation from the twelve families ever become her consort? Or why has none of the leaders of the great families taken that position?" I asked venomously.
The art of dialogue is a cunning battlefield. From the moment he chose to counter my questions, all that awaited him were situations that devalued people far above his level, like the leaders of the great families themselves.
"No... that's not what I meant. What I wanted to say was..."
"And what about the queen's own judgment? Shouldn't that be taken into account?" I cut his argument short.
"No... I just think that..."