Chapter Sixteen

Just because the townspeople had been calmed didn't mean much. They could turn on the Prince in two hours after deciding he was a piece of shit after all. A couple of pleasant actions didn't mean much without evidence of real change.

Rowing Rest used to have a lord, although he'd been killed when Soleil first invaded. They'd slaughtered him and most of his fighting men when he refused to surrender. Afterward, they'd come across land, and ships had gone around to secure the waters. By the time Giorgio learned they'd invaded Midland, they'd already been on their way to Rowland.

The Soleilian soldiers on land had slaughtered any werewolves they had found as they traveled across. Of course, they hadn't gotten them all and were more interested in meeting the other half of the army on the opposite coast.

Technically, werewolves weren't permitted on Midland to that day except it wasn't exactly enforced. A couple of packs roamed around in the countryside, and no one seemed eager to chase them down. If the Regent started a war with Rowland, he'd get to work on ensuring their extermination.

The manor house was in disrepair. The soldiers didn't use it since it had no wall or much of anything for protection. Weeds and grass grew up against the sides, and Remus didn't like the low windows on the bottom floor that would allow anyone to easily climb in. Hopefully, the upstairs would do for sleeping.

When they approached it with several townspeople, Sébastien led Whisper on foot. As they clustered in the yard, the guards dismounted and went to deal with their horses. Remus took Whisper's lead, and Sébastien headed for the manor home to see the inside. Someone said it had a main hall that would do.

"Hey, you." An old lady tugged on Remus's sleeve. "Why's that unicorn all scarred up? Did the Prince do that to him?" She set her jaw as if ready to go fight the Prince if the answer was yes.

"Do you think Prince Sébastien would be alive if he did that?" asked Remus. "Someone else tried to hunt him down, and we don't know who. Whisper himself chose Prince Sébastien later."

Her mouth fell open, showing a few lost teeth. Remus almost wanted to roll his eyes. Sébastien would be a trampled mess with several holes in him if he'd been so cruel to Whisper.

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a furry blur come charging through the front door and right toward Sébastien as it ran on all fours. The Prince froze for a moment before hastily backing up a step. Before Remus or any of the soldiers could move, it jumped on the Prince.

"It's really you! Iridia said you were coming!"

A couple of guards yelled and dropped their horse's bridles. Whisper didn't seem alarmed.

Sébastien almost fell backward from the weight as the pup wrapped his arms around his neck and clung to him like a limpet. He held his hand up to the guards. Some had drawn their weapons and looked ready to rip off the pup with their bare hands. Remus caught Lord Rochefort telling Lord Dubois to calm down.

"It's fine," said Sébastien. "It's just a pup."

"It's a werewolf!" snapped Lord Dubois.

"It's a child, you numbskull." Sébastien tried to peel off one of the werewolf's arms while he chattered away. "Can you get off me?!"

Remus spotted a few patches with thinned fur and realized it had to be the pup from court. Some of the townspeople snickered since Sébastien looked so uncomfortable.

"Zayd!" exclaimed a man. "Get down! You can't jump on people."

"But I like him."

"You're also heavy," said Sébastien. Zayd slid down and grabbed his hand instead.

"Why do you even like him?" asked another man. "The Prince fucking hates your kind."

"No, he doesn't," insisted Zayd. "I told Iridia he doesn't. You should try opening your ears."

"Cheeky kid." The man eyed Sébastien. "Any reason why he likes you? He talks about you like the sun shines out of your arse."

Sébastien gave a vague shrug.

"You know what? We should go inside because Prince Sébastien needs to sit." Remus gave Whisper's lead to Lord Rochefort since he could be trusted to put up Whisper and be kind to him. He took the werewolf's hand and started leading him toward the door.

"I want to show you my room!" Zayd exclaimed to the Prince.

"So let's go in," Remus said in a slightly pointed tone.

"Weren't you with the Prince at the table?"

"Yes. Come on."

Sébastien followed, and several townspeople tagged along. In the foyer, Remus asked if they'd be so kind as to get the hall decent enough for the Prince. A couple grumbled and said they weren't his damn servants.

"Fine," said Remus. "Sit on the floor or dirty chairs for all I care. Screw your own comfort."

That got them moving, and a man said he'd find a broom.

"What are you doing with the pup?" one demanded.

"I want to talk to him and see if he has family."

"He was doing just fine before you came," said a woman. "He doesn't need you, and one of our own is taking care of him. Someone is coming for him."

"I'm going to show them my room!" Zayd proudly announced.

Remus had no idea where anything was, so he simply took Zayd up the stairs and ignored a couple of complaints. Nobody did anything, and since Zayd seemed okay with them, they must have decided to leave it be.

None of the windows had coverings, so there was sunlight, and dust motes stirred through the beams. Water stains marked the ceiling in some spots. The last lord must have needed to do repairs for his home, and after he died, the house continued to rapidly decline. An old portrait of an almost comically angry-looking man stared at them from the wall as they passed. Remus picked a door and tugged Zayd in.

"What are we doing?" asked Zayd. "This isn't my room."

"What did you see that night?" Remus asked as soon as Sébastien shut the door.

Zayd squinted and licked his nose. "What do you mean?"

"You're all excited to see Sébastien, and you've been talking about him. Any reason for that?"

Zayd nodded. "I know what happened. Did you think I'm blind?" He tapped his head with a nail that had grown a bit and wasn't so dull as the last time Remus had seen him. With no one mistreating and starving him, he'd filled out a little bit too, although he was still a bit too skinny for a werewolf pup in Remus's opinion. "I'm smart, and I said nothing."

"What did you see?"

"Sébastien was in the room across the hall that night. It was dark, but I have good eyes, and I could make out his hair. I didn't see anyone else with hair like his, so I knew he was in there. And then, Vemer came. He tried a lot to get free before, but he couldn't, so if he did that time, someone had set him free. Vemer bit the chain so that stupid ball wasn't weighing me down. I ran and jumped off the balcony."

Remus took a deep breath. He'd seen the Prince with his better eyesight and guessed that he was responsible for the events of that night. "Did you tell anybody the truth?"

"No," said Zayd.

"Are you sure you didn't mention anything about the Prince having a hand in that?"

Zayd rolled his eyes. "He basically committed mass murder. Just because I'm a kid, it doesn't mean I don't know he'd be hanging from a rope if anyone found that out. I'm eight, not stupid. I can even read a bit." He stuck out his long tongue. "Pbbt."

"Kids don't always think before talking, so I had to check."

Remus let out a relieved sigh and leaned against the wall. The Middies might not have minded if Sébastien killed a bunch of Soleilian courtiers. In fact, they might even applaud and tell him "good job." If either the lords or the guards knew, they wouldn't keep quiet about it, and the Regent would have a huge reason to execute him right there.

"What do the people think? What have you been saying about Sébastien?"

"Iridia and the others think Vemer just got loose somehow because he wasn't watched. That's what I said." Zayd wagged his tail. "I said the chain must have gotten loose, so he broke free and decided to free me and kill the courtiers because they hate werewolves and keep slaves. She said Sébastien was made the Duke of Midland, and he was coming here, but I'm supposed to hide because Soleilians hate werewolves. I told her the Prince disliked the entertainment so much, he left the room in a huff and refused to watch. Nobody cared what he thought or was bothered when he left. She thinks that's why I wanted to see him."

That would work. The Regent would have been in charge of most entertainment, so if the Prince was against it, it didn't mean anyone had to listen to him.

"Where is she now?" asked Sébastien.

"She takes care of her Mother during the day. She lives just outside of town. I'm sure she'll come around soon now that you're here."

"How did you get here and end up in this house?"

Zayd went to Sébastien and took his hand again while he talked. Once he'd been free, he'd gone through the side garden, climbed the wall, and ran away into the woods. He took the long way around, made it to the docks, searched along that night, and managed to avoid being seen.

Midland had a winery on the eastern coast called Matteo's Marvel. Since a ship with those words had been moored, he'd managed to sneak aboard in the dark, hide down below, and wait. Rats in the hold had given him something to eat, and he knew if he made it to Midland, he'd likely do better there than in Soleil.

The ship stopped in Rowing Rest, and he'd snuck out again at night since he wasn't sure if the sailors would have appreciated having a stowaway. He was also afraid they'd try to take him back to Soleil to sell because he heard some of the sailors who didn't have a Midland accent.

Not knowing what to do with himself, he'd wandered and hunted little animals he could manage. A lady, Iridia, had found him in the loft of a barn he'd hidden in. Middies seemed ready to help werewolves in general, unlike other places. His family had been wandering around the coast of Morian when they'd been slaughtered, and he'd been taken to be trained to dance and do tricks.

After taking care of him for a while, Iridia decided to send a messenger to find one of the packs in Midland and ask if they'd take him in. It wouldn't be long before someone came since the man had left quite a few days ago. The packs moved around a lot, but he'd find one. Iridia said it was better if he went with them instead of staying with her forever because as he grew older, they'd teach him to hunt bigger and better animals. She wouldn't be able to teach him how to hunt like an adult werewolf, and he couldn't spend his life being afraid of the soldiers and staying indoors.

Zayd had spent time in the abandoned home recouping and gaining some weight. Iridia brought him food, and he hunted rats too. The soldiers never came into the home, and they didn't suspect he was there. The other townspeople had kept quiet because no one would tell the soldiers anything even if the sun fell out of the sky. Zayd asked if he could stay with Sébastien instead since he was going to be the Duke, and if he liked werewolves, he'd be safe with the Prince.

Sébastien crouched by the door and let the werewolf keep holding his hand. "We're on a mission, and it's not safe. You're better off with a pack too because I can't teach you how to hunt and such. I'm sure most of my men don't like werewolves either. You wouldn't be happy with us, and the future's a bit…uncertain."

Zayd's tail dropped. Being with a pack would be better for him since he was young, but he likely saw Sébastien as a hero who'd killed a bunch of terrible people, allowed Vemer a form of revenge, and saved him. No wonder he wanted to go.

"I'm sorry about your family," said Sébastien. "The Regent ordered that entertainment. The handlers are all dead now since they were blamed for not watching Vemer. They can't steal any more werewolves."

Zayd's ears sagged. "Did Vemer make it?"

Sébastien took a deep breath. "No. He wanted to go down fighting to avenge his mate and brother. He also wanted you to be free. He said he'd had a good run, and it was your turn to live. He also said you were smart and could get away without the ball and chain, and he was right. You were also very smart to know a ship from Midland."

Zayd thought for a moment, probably about Vemer. "We found empty bottles once by an old campsite. Father had grown up in Midland, and he had seen the winery and knew where they came from. That's why I knew. He had me sound out the words."

"He'd be proud that you remembered and knew what ship you could hide on."

"I want to go home, but I'm scared, and they're all gone," Zayd said in a small voice. "I came here because I thought I'd be safer. It's still not home. If I go back to Morian, I'll be alone."

Sébastien drew him into a hug. "Sometimes, we need to find a new home, and you'll have that with the pack. I know it feels strange now, but it'll start to feel like home. You won't be alone."

Remus stayed quiet by the wall. He'd never thought he'd see Sébastien hugging a pup like he was an equal. Then again, it was just a child, and they shared more similarities than he might want to admit out loud.

Zayd wanted to show them his room. Iridia had gotten him blankets and a few old books since he could read, although he said he was slow and had trouble with big words. Sébastien said every child was like that and grew better if they practiced. Most werewolves could read and write to some extent, so they could teach him that too.

She brought him food. His fur was still thin in places, but it seemed to be growing back. The room was upstairs and toward the rear, so he had a little lantern to use at night. The soldiers never saw a thing, and now that Sébastien was there, they couldn't do anything to him even if he danced through the town.

Zayd tagged along when they went downstairs. He wanted to know what they were doing there, and Sébastien said he was going to take care of Midland and make it better since the townspeople had a lot of problems with the way things were being run. Zayd could stay and watch if he was quiet.

The tables and benches in the hall had been cleaned well enough. Someone had brought a barrel of ale and mugs. The windows were open, and a few lanterns had been hung. Someone had swept, although they'd mostly just pushed the dirt into a corner. It would do. Sébastien took a seat at the High Table which was old and scratched. It lacked a tablecloth too, and the chair creaked when he sat in it.

A good deal of the citizens had packed in, and many watched from the foyer. Others stood outside the open windows to peer in. Guards hung around closer to the High Table, just in case, and most stayed along the walls to be out of the way. Lord Rochefort took a spot, and Lord Dubois looked like he'd swallowed a lemon as he plunked himself down.

"Remember-"

"Save your advice," Sébastien warned him in a cold tone before lowering his voice. "Or I might have to stomp on your throat again."

Lord Dubois didn't dare make a peep about that. Remus sat right beside the Prince with some parchment and a quill someone fetched. He could take notes if needed. For some reason, quite a few sour faces had returned, and a couple of thumbs pointed down.

Couldn't they give the Prince ten fucking minutes before getting angry again? An old man who looked like the sort who couldn't stop smiling passed out mugs at the table, and Remus nudged the Prince's leg with his own before picking up his drink. Herbs floated in the ale.

Sébastien cautiously took a sip. Ale with lightly spicy tattleworm and cinnamon was mostly a Midland drink, and it wasn't Remus's favorite.

"That's good," Sébastien said rather stiffly as the old man gave Lord Dubois and Lord Rochefort their drinks.

"Good to know even a Soleilian pig has at least a little taste." The old man smiled wider at Sébastien before going to join a table.

Remus gently cleared his throat to remind Sébastien to be nice. Someone made a noise like a frog from the back since calling Soleilians slimy frogs was a lesser-used insult.

"I think you all know what the most urgent issues are and can bring them forth one at a time," called Sébastien. "You can stop putting your thumbs down and get to the matter at hand."

"Who's that?" A woman pointed at Remus.

"He's my aid and guard."

"I think that's the Crown Prince of Rowland," a man declared as he stood. "You might be all right with a werewolf pup, and you might not have killed Frank, but you've got a slave, and if you don't free him right now, we will. That's something we don't like here, and we're not putting up with it."

"He's not a criminal," bellowed another. "That's a bunch of bullshit that he killed his Uncle, so you can't use your stupid laws to enslave him. We all know Quintus sent his twin to Soleil. He's a greedy sack of turds who wanted the throne."

Several others grumbled as they stared at the Prince. They must have noticed Remus's appearance, started talking in private, and put it together.

"He's not my slave," started Sébastien.

"Bullshit! We all heard he was sent to you. You think just because you ain't got him in a flimsy tunic, you can trick us?!"

"How stupid do you think we are?"

Remus had hoped no one would realize who he was so he could slide into the background as an assistant for the moment. He pulled down the collar of his shirt. "Do you see a collar? No? Then calm the fuck down."

Lord Rochefort made a faint noise of surprise, the guards stared, and a vein throbbed in Lord Dubois's forehead. It was the only way the townspeople would calm down if they decided Sébastien was the number one shit person for having a slave. The room went silent.

Lord Dubois started to say something, and Sébastien silenced him by flipping him off.

A woman pushed a loose piece of hair back under her cap. "Why are you with him?"

"Did he force you?"

"Blink twice if you need help."

"Am I supposed to go home?" asked Remus.

"Er…yeah?" The woman with the cap flung her hands up. "We think your brother's a lying bastard, and if you were guilty of treason, he'd have killed you, not sent you off as an extra peace offering."

"Quintus is no better than a slimy frog," said the smiling guy.

"My twin would have me killed the second he heard I'm in Rowland," said Remus. "I don't know how the citizens there would react because they might believe Quintus's lies."

"But we don't. The story sounds ridiculous."

"Yes, but that doesn't mean they feel the same, and if I don't know for sure, I'm not risking it. Their current ruler is a lot closer to them than you are. Should I bring an army of citizens against soldiers? No. I'm one person, and my future regarding home is uncertain at the moment. Prince Sébastien's never had a slave before, and it wasn't his fault that I was dumped on his doorstep in a manner of speaking. It was Quintus's idea to get rid of me and use me as a peace offering to Soleil. It's not like the Prince asked."

A few mumbles and murmurs filled the room.

"He released me, and I agreed to stay as his aid for now while he fixes things in Midland," Remus said while the guards continued to openly stare at him, including Tom. "The Regent won't do it, and since Midland was under Rowland before the war, I decided to help him in the matter. I'm advising him because he's Soleilian and not used to your customs. I am."

Lord Dubois gritted his teeth with an audible sound, and some citizens appeared rather doubtful.

"I could get up right now and walk out. Sébastien wouldn't do shit." Remus folded his arms.

"But what about later?"

"We'll figure things out later," said Remus. "Midland is our focus at the moment. I'm sure you can understand we also have to be careful since Soleil and Rowland have a treaty. Even though he's the Crown Prince, he can't go to Rowland and demand that my traitor twin get his ass off the throne. We need to avoid bloodshed with Midland getting caught in the middle again if possible. Once we've helped this country, Sébastien and I can discuss other things and figure out what to do. Since I'm free, it might also help if my twin later hears that I'm helping Prince Sébastien and not a slave anymore."

More murmurs filled the room as they seemed to get that. Lord Dubois kept his mouth shut, but Remus was sure he'd either do something or lay into the Prince once he had a chance and could keep his throat out of the way.

"How come you never said anything?" Nate dared to ask.

"We didn't need to make a big deal out of it. We're here for you now, so let's focus on that," added Remus.

"You've been letting some Rowland guy tag along and lying about what he is?" demanded one of Lord Dubois's with such cheek, even a few Middies raised their eyebrows at him.

"Did I ask for your opinion?" asked Sébastien.

"He's been nothing but help." Tom glanced around the soldiers. "If you knew he was free, you'd have all bitched about a Rowland man in the ranks. He's worked just as hard as any of us."

"What's the first issue to be dealt with?" Sébastien asked the Middies. "Someone needs to be the speaker for you."

The man outside who hadn't wanted to speak despite some trying to push him forward finally stood, and his red wings twitched before he tucked them closer to his back.

"One issue we've been having is that soldiers are paid every three months, and they don't buy most of the food they consume or they don't pay a fair price. A ship comes without fail to deliver the money to the Commander, and he doles out the wages to his flock of idiots. They're not broke. The soldiers and the Commander have been demanding a portion of the fishermen's catch to supplement their food. They don't pay for it at all. A few tried to refuse at first, and the soldiers threatened to torch their boats and beat them. They buy some food that's grown around here and refuse to pay for more than half. None of our farmers are rich to begin with, and they're not asking for much. It's ridiculous that we're making them rich because they get to save more of their wages while the farmers get shit after all of that backbreaking work in the fields."

The rest voiced their agreement.

"I think most of your issues would be solved if the soldiers were gone," said Sébastien. "The Regent is under the impression that you're unruly because you don't like being under Soleil rule-"

"We don't," spat an old man.

"-and I can see that the Commander is quite rude. No wonder you can't stand him. I can't tell the Regent to let Midland become independent or go back under Rowland rule because that's out of my power. I'm your Duke and Crown Prince, but I do not have total control of what Soleil does since my Uncle is the Regent. What I can do is dismiss the soldiers since they don't have Rowing Rest in their best interests, and they're also wasting money. The Regent never permitted them to take food or pay less, and no soldier in Soleil would be allowed to do that. A man who's far away from the eyes of his ruler may think he can get away with certain things, and now that I'm here, that's ending. They can go home and do some real work for a change."

"You're really going to make them leave?" The speaker narrowed his eyes.

"Yes. I'm wondering why you didn't revolt in the first place. A couple assigned to be lords in Midland disappeared. I'm sure they're in a grave."

The man shifted in place. "That didn't happen here."

"Yes, but let's not pretend they weren't killed."

Keeping the place just unhappy enough to where they didn't all revolt but were close enough was perfect. The Regent had probably planned to send Sébastien there at some point as soon as Midland was given to him. He'd just needed to wait for a bit and see if he could make his nephew have an accident first. Of course, the citizens didn't know that. If Sébastien asked the soldiers if they'd been told to do anything specific, they wouldn't hesitate to lie and fib if needed.

"The Regent hasn't forbidden me from putting lords in place, so I think the best option would be one of your own. Honestly, you don't need me breathing down your necks, and I think you'd prefer it if a Midland citizen ruled your day-to-day lives. Perhaps you could get this house fixed up to help out whoever you pick."

Remus had given him that basic bit to say since it removed him from the equation in a way. The people would feel empowered and start looking to their new lord. Sébastien wouldn't seem so important.

The room paused as the words sank in.

"Frank," someone shouted.

"Frank!"

"We pick Frank!"

"He should be the lord."

Frank was sitting toward the back, and he'd propped his boots on a table. "I never said I wanted to be the lord. Shut up with that nonsense."

"You already showed you'd fight for Rowing Rest, and you're only one man. You're a real Middie for fighting the Prince."

"Come on, Frank."

"You've got the biggest balls ever!"

"I don't know anything about being a lord." Frank waved a hand. "Why do you think I told King Kalen and King Rhys I didn't want a holding? Dom, you should give it a go."

The speaker shook his head. "I don't know how either."

Sébastien cleared his throat. "I can give you some help to get started. It's not that hard."

"Dom's smarter than me," said Frank.

"You can fight better," argued Dom.

"Fighting is all I'm good for. You're better at writing and figuring, and you've got all them old books you read. I think a lord needs book smarts, and I'm not interested in getting any."

The citizens started thumping the tables. "Dom. Dom. Dom. Dom."

"They switch so fast, it's like they don't think," grumbled Lord Dubois.

"Or perhaps they think and comprehend faster than you." Sébastien smiled, and the Earl's jaw tightened.

"The Regent never told you to put a Midlander down as a lord. I know he didn't and-"

"It's my decision. Be quiet. Dom, you can have the position if you want."

Dom frowned. "Fine, but only if Frank's my first man-at-arms because every lord needs guards, and someone has to train the rest. I'm not skilled with weapons."

"I can do that," said Frank.

"Then that's settled," said Sébastien. "All rents and taxes are forgiven for the next six months, but please make sure Dom isn't starving in his new home since he won't have any income in that regard."

The hall cheered again as the people banged on the tables, walls, floor, and whatever they could reach. Zayd didn't have to pay rent or tax, and even he thumped the table in front of him while wagging his tail.

"Once the soldiers are dismissed, you can go to Dom with most of your issues. He's lived here, so I'm sure he already knows things to change."

"Can we get stone from the quarry?" yelled a man. "Those assholes wouldn't let us use the quarry, Prince."

"Ask Dom," said Sébastien.

"Of course, you can," said Dom.

"Why weren't you allowed to use the quarry?" asked Sébastien.

"I don't think they wanted us strengthening our buildings or building any kind of wall. Just in case a certain someone decided to stomp this place into the dirt." A woman scowled. "They only let us cut down so many trees too, so we often had to choose between our cooking fires and repairs."

Remus suppressed a sigh. No wonder that half-built home had been left like that.

"Before I forget, the ship is loaded with goods that Dom can dole out among you," added Sébastien. "There's silk and all sorts of things you can use. Keep it, sell it, or do whatever. Since you're my first stop, you get everything."

The hall erupted in cheers as several got up to congratulate Dom on being the new lord of Rowing Rest.

"That's your bright idea?" demanded Lord Dubois. "Presents? Dismissing those who keep order, giving some peasant a job that shou-"

"Why shouldn't I put a Midland citizen over them?" asked Sébastien. "They're happier this way. Or are you blind?"

"Until the whole island revolts in the future because they decide they don't want to pay taxes to a Soleilian King. You've just pumped up their arrogant pride."

The Prince picked up his mug and lounged in his chair. "You jump to the worst conclusions. You should watch that vein that's throbbing in your forehead. It can't be good for you."

"And you jumped to the worst ideas since your slave isn't even collared." Lord Dubois glanced at Remus and opened his mouth, no doubt ready for another lecture. "You freed an enemy without a word to any of us-"

"I suggest you shut up and enjoy your ale," said Sébastien.

***

The guards seemed unsure as they all marched toward the guardhouse in town and ordered the Commander to ring the bell and bring in the rest who patrolled around. Dom said he wanted the Prince to make the announcement because they'd be less likely to argue. If he went in and told them to pack their shit and get out, they'd laugh at him. If he said he'd just been made the lord of Rowing Rest, they'd laugh until they couldn't breathe.

The Commander looked like he couldn't breathe when Sébastien told him who the new lord was, and that the soldiers had to return to Soleil. "This is my post!"

"It's over now." Sébastien looked down his nose. Despite standing in front of the Commander's desk, he didn't look like a subordinate. "The people will be a lot calmer, so there's no need for you."

"But-"

"You can also stop leeching from people for food. You shame Soleil with such actions. Does the Regent not pay our soldiers enough to eat and maintain a basic family and home?"

The Commander flushed. "I-" He clenched his fists on the desk. If he tried to fight back, Remus was sure their group could handle it, but they didn't need to be losing numbers at the first stop.

"Don't make me repeat myself," said Sébastien.

Commander Tiding relented, and the soldiers had to pack their things. The merchant agreed to take them back, and the Regent couldn't technically complain about that. If a town is calm, there's no need for such presence, and since a lord had been appointed, Rowing Rest wouldn't give them any more trouble.

He'd done what the Regent didn't think he could do since Sébastien was lazy in his eyes. In Corentin's eyes, he was also unfortunately alive and not dumped face down into a deep grave.