"What is feudalism?" Michael asked.
As he began, Astrid instinctively straightened her posture. Whenever he spoke, his arguments were logical, convincing—and dangerously easy to agree with if one didn't remain vigilant. So she prepared herself to think critically.
"It's a system where a king divides land among nobles, who then pledge loyalty in return," she answered evenly.
Michael tapped his fingers lightly on the table, the rhythmic sound filling the space between them.
"But over time," he said, "those nobles begin to prioritize their own interests above those of the crown… and the people."
He tilted his head slightly.
"They pass their lands down through generations. And slowly, they start disregarding royal authority."
Astrid pressed her lips together. She knew it was true—she'd seen it happen more than once.
Michael's gaze sharpened.
"In the end, the kingdom ceases to be a unified state. It becomes a federation of self-interested lords."
