Thaddeus exhaled sharply. He had already accepted this madness, so he might as well fully commit before this reckless fool found a way to derail things even further.
Without waiting for Lucavion to open his mouth again, he launched into a full explanation.
"Now listen carefully, because I will not repeat myself," he began, his golden eyes sharp and unwavering. "First, you will formally meet my retainers. These are the commanders of my forces, the nobles who stand with the Duchy, and the key figures who hold influence within my faction."
Lucavion opened his mouth—
Thaddeus glared, shutting him up before he could even speak.
"You will not walk into those meetings like some wandering rogue," he continued, his tone brooking no argument. "You will conduct yourself properly. I don't care how skilled you are—power alone does not grant you respect in the political world. If you want them to acknowledge you, you will have to prove yourself in more ways than one."
