A Time of Tigers - From Peasant to Emperor

Chapter 448 The Beginning of Something Powerful - Part 12

"A contract? Like a merchant?" Amelia called over from the table behind, horrified. Even though Verdant had been speaking softly, she'd heard every word.

"Amelia!" Pauline cried in horror. The round-faced girl was clutching her head with one hand, and grabbing at Amelia with the other, as she shrank down upon the bench, seeming as though she wished to hide under the table.

"Indeed. Some nobles need more than oaths to assure them of a subject's loyalty," Verdant said. He'd quickly caught onto Amelia's personality, and did not push the issue any further than it needed to go, pointedly ignoring her outburst with an aura of distinct disapproval.

Oliver gave a sigh of relief as he finished his pie. It was incredibly good. Every single day, this world of magnificent food. The chiefs were veritable artists by his estimation. Every meal was something he looked forward to, and never had they once disappointed him.

It felt so much better to have a stomach full of food. He'd missed out on a proper breakfast, and a full meal the previous evening. Now was his attempt to restore that equilibrium. The pie did an awfully good job at that. With its warm weight in its stomach, he felt considerably more relaxed than he had on his way in.

"So, Verdant," Oliver began, off the back of that pleasant wave of food-filled bliss, as he pushed his empty plate out of the way, and pulled his cake towards him, "do you want to be my retainer?"

He felt Blackthorn stiffen more than he saw it. It was an actual jerk of a motion, like a horse kicking. He doubted that any of the nobles near them had heard what he'd asked, but they'd certainly noticed Blackthorn's incredulous reaction, for they were looking over in their direction.

Similarly, Amelia and Pauline were both looking horrified.

My house – the Idris house – is middling in terms of noble families. Our influence in both politics and economics is moderate. I cannot think of what my father would say if I were to pledge my loyalty to a house that in all ways but name was effectively destroyed years ago. I imagine he would disown me all over again," Verdant said.

"That bad, huh?" Oliver grimaced, as he munched through his cake. He was pretty sure he could see the faint traces of a smile on Blackthorn's small mouth, though she hid it well. Apparently, she enjoyed seeing him get lectured.

"That said, I accept."

There was a loud clatter, as a plate slid to the floor.

Blackthorn's cup slipped from her grasp, and spilt out over the table, whilst Amelia's cry of dismay from behind them rang out.

"WHAAAAAAAT!?" She shouted.

Both Oliver and Verdant calmly turned to look at her. She was the one who had dropped the plate. It was empty – lucky for her. She'd been half stood up at the time, about to return it. Pauline's eyes were round with shock. It took her a few seconds to note the many gazes that were being sent their way, and many filled with disapproval amongst them.

Oliver heard some of the nobles nearest them tut, as they regarded the two Serving Class girls. During it all, the tiny bit of liquid that Blackthorn had managed to spill on the table went largely unnoticed, apart from Oliver, Verdant and a pair of girls dining to the next of Blackthorn who hurried to mop it up for her.

He noticed their speed, and wondered if it was because of the Blackthorn rank amongst nobility, as Verdant had just described. Whilst all the others had descended into their shock, Oliver and Verdant calmly finished the rest of their food.