Chapter 56: To give and to take

"I must admit to something, before we deal with each other," Gilbert began, with an easy-going smile. "I was not always a lord. In fact, I bought the title, and climbed my way to the Council of Five."

Both Felix and Edward stared at him, barely resisting the urge to gape openly. One could buy a lordship? How was that even possible? Felix turned towards Edward, as he was the more experienced between them. And yet, Edward was just as amazed.

"Now, before you bombard me with questions, I must say that I have been pushing for the end of the attacks on the Emporiums for a long time. Yet, my voice is always lost, for I don't dare to push too much. What had not been given as a divine right, can be taken away," the gears in Edward's brain began to turn. If Gilbert had bought his way into nobility, then he needed a massive profit.