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“I mislike him, cousin.”
“Oh hush, Orin. I am convinced that if you met the Savior himself at a party you would insist upon finding some way to mislike even Him.”
“His connections are low.”
“Our forebearers were present at the signing of the Magna Carta. All connections are low compared to ours. I cannot be convinced to hold such a thing against him.”
“He has no breeding to speak of! He was born common, and raised to lordship only months ago. He cannot be credibly considered a gentleman.”
“He was raised by the King himself, sister dear, for services to the Empire of great import. Surely that speaks to the quality of his character, would you not say?”
“I would not. Have you not heard the whispers? His noble services are nothing of the sort. An arms dealer, they say, when he isn’t helping cover up the profligacies of the Crown Prince.”
“Oh! Thank you, sister, for relating such fascinating rumors to me. They have assisted me most greatly in understanding the shape of his character.”
“It pleases me to assist you. You are Father’s heir, after all, and I only want what is best for you and for our family, and that man is not– wherever are you going?”
“To meet the most interesting person at this party. I simply must find out if all the rumors about this new Lord Enver Gortash are true.”