The grand halls of the Duke's mansion buzzed with hushed gossip. Rumor was rampant, and Lord Cedric was at the center of it.
The Margrave heir sat in a dark corner of the banquet hall, his haughty demeanor now slumped. His hands shook as he brought a goblet to his lips, drinking the wine in one desperate gulp.
Aric watched from across the room.
"He knows he's trapped."
Aric's mouth curled into a smile.
It was time.
Aric pushed through the crowd, moving with the fluidity of one who was used to pushing through crowds. He sat down in the chair next to Cedric, his presence not noted until he spoke.
"A troubled man drowns himself in drink," Aric said quietly, filling his own goblet. "But drowning won't make the problem disappear."
Cedric almost gagged. He whirled, his bloodshot eyes widening at the sight of Aric.
"Va—Vaelmont… What do you want?"
Cedric snarled, spitting.
"I want nothing, Lord Cedric. But I think that you do."
Aric took a step forward, his voice dropping.
"Your father has not returned to claim you. The Duke keeps you in his hawk's stare. And the rumors…" He let the words hang. "Well, they do not bode well for you."
Cedric's fists clenched in. "Lies. The Duke will not believe them."
"Will he?" Aric laughed. "Because from where I'm standing, he looks pretty. upset."
Cedric watched where Aric was looking. The Duke sat across the hall, his face unguarded—but his hawk eyes watched Cedric for much too long.
Sweat dripped at Cedric's forehead.
"What am I suggesting?" he whispered.
Aric sipped wine deliberately.
"I can eliminate these rumors. Convince effectually the right people that you're a victim of defamation."
Cedric laughed. "And why on earth would I do that?"
Aric smiled. "Because you can be useful."
Cedric clenched his jaw. "You're going to try to blackmail me?"
Aric shook his head. "Not blackmail. Opportunity."
He drew closer, his voice slick, persuasive.
"The Duke will soon have to decide whether you are worth defending. If he abandons you, House Margrave will be lost."
Cedric gulped hard.
"But if you had someone to turn the tide." Aric went on.
Cedric labored to draw breath.
He was caught. And he knew it.
With a space of heavy stillness, he breathed out.
"What do you want from me?"
Aric smiled.
"Until now? Just your ear. The rest afterwards."
Cedric paused—then slowly nodded.
As Aric was ready to leave, he gripped Cedric's shoulder in a firm hold.
"One thing more."
Cedric swung around to him, cautious.
"Stop acting so desperate," Aric whispered with a grin. "Play the part of a man with power still intact. Or else you'll lose it before I can even get to your rescue."
And then he vanished into the throng.