"You have all spoken with admirable honesty," Edward said, his voice echoing with a strange, calm resonance. "In a world of sycophants, I find such bluntness refreshing."
Edward's words quickly halted the merchants in their steps as they were about to exit the hall.
They paused almost in unison. For a brief moment, none of them turned around. Then, slowly, they faced him again. Confusion flickered across their expressions. This was not one of the responses they had prepared for. In their minds, they had expected anger, desperation, or perhaps a defensive argument. What they had not expected was composure.
