Bonus Story
Part 3: Patience
“You cannot delay longer, Your Grace,” Weiss announced with a hint of urgency.
Damien, who had been staring at the chessboard, raised his head to meet his gaze. “Just a moment longer, Weiss. You have outmaneuvered me in two consecutive matches.”
“You know well that I am not talking about our game of chess,” Weiss said through gritted teeth, as though he were battling the impulse to shake sense into his superior.
“Lord Weiss is concerned that Your Grace has yet to marry,” one of the gathered noblemen declared.
Reclining casually with his arms draped over the back of his chair and his chin propped on his hand, Damien blinked slowly but remained otherwise impassive.
“What does Your Grace intend to do about the matter of marriage?” the nobleman continued.
A heavy silence descended upon the room as his question hung in the air. The assembled nobility and gentry began to offer their unsolicited advice.
