"Which brings us to a question many are curious about. Just how did you convince not one but two of the women who held such prominent stations, Baroness Cleora Aravain and Matriarch Raayani of the Blue Rose, to become so devoted to you that they followed you to the capital?"
The question was delivered with honeyed politeness, but the implication was clear: what manipulation or deception had he used?
Jolthar met her gaze directly.
"I didn't convince them of anything. I simply loved them, respected them, and stood beside them when others wouldn't. Apparently, that was enough."
The simplicity of the answer seemed to catch them off guard. Several of the women exchanged glances, as if trying to determine whether he was being sincere or cleverly evasive.
"Love," Dayamati repeated, her tone suggesting she found the concept quaint.
"How... classical. Though I suppose for someone of common origin, such sentiments are more accessible than political strategy."
