Mortaine inclined his head, understanding already crystallizing behind his eyes.
"And what of the possibility that his father becomes suspicious?" Viscount Kale asked, his nervousness returning in new form. "What if Alaric Kaiser begins to investigate? What if he discovers our involvement?"
The fireplace crackled. The flames danced with sudden intensity, and for a moment, the shadows across Duke Asher's face became particularly dark.
"Then," he said quietly, "we will have underestimated our opponent, and we will face the consequences. But the alternative is to do nothing. To allow the Kaiser family to consolidate power unchallenged. To watch as Jack Kaiser builds his merchant empire and diplomatic alliances while his father maintains military supremacy."
He paused, his gaze sweeping across each face at the table.
