'This audacious bastard came prepared from the start,' thought Marquis Branford, letting out a faint, cynical chuckle. Ghislain's sheer brazenness was almost impressive.

Normally, if anyone so much as hinted at a request like that, Branford would have immediately shut them down. But today was different.

Tap… Tap… Tap…

The marquis drummed his fingers on the armrest of his chair.

Everyone in the hall waited in tense silence, hanging on his response.

Marquis Branford had never agreed to be anyone’s patron before. It was a dangerous position to take. He could lose the honor and authority he had built over …