"Duke, recently your actions seem to have caused quite a bit of discontent among the nobles, they..." the butler said hesitantly.
"Discontent? Why should they be discontent? As subjects of my duchy, they should obey me, not harbor discontent," the White Frost Duke replied with an undeniable firmness in his voice.
"But the Noble Code states..."
"Forget that damn Noble Code. The Divine are the highest wisdom," the White Frost Duke dismissed it casually, leaving the butler at a loss for words.
Afterwards, the White Frost Duke's gaze drifted over the butler: "Colin, you've worked for the White Frost family for thirty years now, haven't you?"
"Yes, Your Grace, it's been thirty-two years," the butler's heart sank with a thud, as such questions usually preceded either a reward or an accusation.
By the tone of it, it didn't seem like a reward was forthcoming.