The door opened.
Morca stepped inside first, one hand resting lazily on the sword at his waist. He tilted his head and grinned.
"Hey. Long time no see."
Kerry immediately set down his quill and rose from behind the desk.
"It really has been. How have you been?"
The two men embraced warmly.
A moment later, Adam entered the room.
Dailes froze.
"You—!"
She stood up so suddenly her chair scraped loudly against the floor.
"You know each other?" Morca asked.
"We've met once," Adam replied calmly.
Dailes folded her arms, clearly displeased.
"Brother, he's the guard I mentioned before—the one serving that Corsican baron."
Kerry's interest sharpened.
He circled Adam once, openly examining him.
"Impressive build," he said. Then he glanced at Morca."So this is the man you intend to grant a count title to?"
"Yes. My foreign friend. Adam."
Understanding dawned across Dailes's face—and with it, irritation.
"So that's why," she muttered. "No wonder someone with such good prospects ignored my offer."
Her gaze locked onto Adam.
"You do realize he can't grant you land, right?"
"I know."
Dailes took a step forward.
"And do you understand how humiliating it is for a noble to hold nothing but an empty title?"
"Enough."
Kerry's voice cracked through the room.
Silence followed instantly.
Dailes bit her lip. Only then did she seem to realize how harsh her words sounded.
"Brother…" she said, frustration slipping through her voice. "He's taking someone you could've recruited."
"You shouldn't even be here during working hours," Kerry replied firmly. "This isn't the city watch."
She hesitated.
For a brief moment, her eyes flicked toward Adam—annoyance mixed with something harder to name.
Then she turned sharply.
"Fine."
She strode out and slammed the door behind her.
Kerry exhaled quietly.
"My apologies. My sister can be… overly straightforward."
Morca waved it off with a faint smile.
"It's nothing. We've known each other too long for politeness."
He chuckled at himself.
Kerry adjusted the papers on his desk before speaking again.
"So," he said carefully, "you're certain about this? You don't have many titles left to grant."
"I'm sure."
Morca rested a hand on Adam's shoulder.
"He has land in Corsica. Probably richer than I ever was."
"Oh?"
Kerry looked back at Adam.
"In Corsica?"
"Yes, Your Excellency."
Kerry nodded and returned to his desk, pulling out a fresh sheet of parchment.
"Name?"
"Adam."
"Full name."
Adam paused briefly.
"Adam Hild Behsi."
The quill scratched across paper.
Signature. Wax. Seal.
Kerry handed the document over.
"Take this to registration. I'll handle the Senate afterward. If you want, I can arrange a formal investiture ceremony."
"No need."
Morca passed the letter directly to Adam.
"Actually," he added, turning back, "there's another favor. Could you arrange a respectable position for my friend?"
Adam stiffened immediately.
"That really isn't necessary—"
Kerry laughed.
"I've waited years to hear you ask me for help. Didn't expect it would be for someone else. Consider it done."
"I truly don't need a job," Adam insisted.
Neither man acknowledged him.
"I'm already an old man," Morca said with exaggerated seriousness. "All I require is a place to drink."
He coughed theatrically, then laughed again.
Kerry shook his head.
"You're still younger than me. Join this campaign. Take your land back."
Morca's smile faded slightly.
"No. I'd hate to see you lose yours because of me."
Soon after, Adam and Morca left the office.
Even as they departed, Kerry continued promising to arrange an excellent post for Adam.
Inside the carriage, Adam finally said,
"I really don't need employment."
Morca ignored the protest.
"That young man yesterday… your master?"
"Yes."
"At first, arranging work was merely courtesy. Someone with land wouldn't care."He glanced sideways."But now I know you're only a guard."
His tone grew firm.
"A noble—even without territory—must live with dignity."
"But I already have work."
"What work? Guarding a baron?"
Morca lowered his head briefly, then looked up again.
"People move upward, Adam. Everyone does."
A pause.
"I like you. So I'm offering you a chance."
Adam spoke before thinking.
"And you? You just refused yours."
Silence.
Morca studied him.
"I have reasons," he said quietly. "Reasons others don't know."
His gaze sharpened.
"And you? Unless you also have reasons for wanting that title."
The carriage fell still.
Only wheels grinding against stone.
At last, Adam sighed.
"…Alright."
He nodded.
"I accept."