In the corner, Kaede flinched. However, she did not do so because of Quinlan's display of cruelty.
'Fujimori honor is everything.'
She had heard those words in council chambers, at formal dinners, whispered into her ear before every test the elders designed. She looked up from the floor and watched the most honorable man her clan had ever produced writhe for air as his skin melted.
Chizuru didn't look at him. She stared at the floor, and nothing in her posture changed.
"You had Silverwind," Ayame spoke up, returning to the topic at hand. "You were building toward taking Greenvale in the competition, and you were doing well. If you focused on that and won, then you just needed a few years to consolidate your powers, wait for the old man to kick the bucket, and you'd wield more power than the crown itself."
"..." Alexios couldn't help but send the young oriental lady a wry glance. But then he returned his attention to Chizuru, knowing she was entirely correct.
