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But Dominic had previously fallen out of favor due to the incident involving Freya, and to some extent, it had damaged his standing with the people. This was a way to repair that—to win back their trust and goodwill.
Without hesitation, Kendrick nodded firmly. “Consider it done. I’ll handle it.”
He had a tendency to overthink things, and now his mind was racing with possibilities.
If this arrangement benefited everyone, then they were all in the same boat, weren’t they? That thought made him feel like he and the Sullivan family were practically old friends already. Besides, Sophie was his sister-in-law-technically family, right?
Unaware of his thoughts, Sophie instructed Travis to accompany Kendrick to the local government’s office.
Travis was no longer the naive country boy who had first entered Rafael’s service, and he had learned much during his time alongside Jacob. He had become sharp and capable, now seasoned in the ways of diplomacy.
During their quick trip to the local government’s office, Travis advised Kendrick to adopt the princely manner and keep silent. It would be fine to let Travis handle the talking.
“The truly authoritative don’t speak much,” Travis said, his tone calm but firm.
Kendrick found the advice reasonable. He had always feared his older brother Salvador, who, with just a glance, could impose an almost suffocating pressure on anyone in his line of sight.
In truth, Travis was worried Kendrick would say too much and make things worse. After spending time with the prince on this journey, he had come to understand the man’s nature all too well. Kendrick didn’t think before he spoke-promises rotted off his tongue as easily as breathing. If he liked someone, he would swear he would give them mountains of gold and silver without a second thought.
But if Kendrick went to Magnus and started making those same grand, careless promises, it could spell trouble. After all, Magnus didn’t know Kendrick like Travis did.
As it turned out, things went surprisingly smoothly. Magnus was more than willing to do Kendrick this favor-he was eager to curry favor with Kendrick, hoping to use the prince’s influence to secure a transfer back to the capital.
Having previously served in the capital, Magnus knew of Kendrick’s marriage to the Quinton family’s daughter, And though Kendrick was only a prince without true authors the Quinton family held significant power. After all, Malcolm was in charge of the Civil Department. A simple word from him could send Magnus back to the capital.
Magnus acted swiftly. By the next day, a location for the orphanage had been secured-an old, abandoned temple on the westerne side of the city. Repairs began almost immediately, and belie any work had even started, officials had already hung the official plaque for the orphanage.
Sophie and Travis, along with Violet, visited the site. While the building was indeed aged, it had potential. The property included front and back courtyards, with the rear garden large enough to grow vegetables and fruits.
As they were leaving the soon-to-be orphanage, Sophie and Travis noticed a man and a woman standing by the door, peering inside.
The pair looked out of place, their clothes worn and dusty. The man’s shoes were so torn that one of his toes was exposed. At first, they seemed like mere curious onlookers, a couple of ordinary townsfolk drawn in by the commotion.
But as Sophie lifted her gaze to their faces, she froze, taken aback.
The man had a refined, commanding presence. Yet, his worn and tattered clothes didn’t seem out of place on him—it was as if he was born to wear them. Beside him, the woman had striking features. Her bone structure was exquisite, though her eyebrows were thicker than most women’s, not the delicate, arched kind they often painted. Instead, they gave her a bold, almost heroic look.
Sophie studied the man and woman carefully, feeling a sense of unease. She couldn’t quite place their age. They looked to be in their thirties, yet there was an undeniable vitality about them, as if they were no older than twenty.
Her gaze moved to their eyes, particularly the man’s. His eyes were as deep and mysterious, yet they held the calculating sharpness of a seasoned old fox.
Before Sophie could say anything, the man stepped forward and spoke.
“This is where the orphanage is being built? Is the local government funding it?”
Travis glanced at them, noting their perfectly spoken Starhaven dialect. They clearly weren’t from Victory Pass, yet he saw no malice in their faces. He nodded.
“Yes, it’s a place to take in abandoned children,” he replied. “It’s being supported by the local government.”
The man nodded. “That’s a good cause.”
Sophie stepped forward. “Are you from the capital?”
The man regarded her but didn’t answer her question. Instead, he asked, “Are you the Hell Monarch’s princess consort, Lady Sophie?”
A chill ran through Sophie. She was about to demand how he knew that when he spoke again. “You’re heading to Orivenia, aren’t you? When do you leave? Could we accompany you?”
Sophie was taken aback. While many people knew they were traveling to Orivenia for the negotiations, it was a mission involving official delegates. There was no way they could bring outsiders along.
Yet, the man had asked so casually.
She regained her composure and asked, “What is it that you need in Orivenia?”
The man answered, “We just want to observe your talks and bear witness, if you will.”
Sophie felt a mix of suspicion and curiosity. He either had a significant background or was simply talking nonsense. She studied them again. They seemed serious, but their appearance-dressed in threadbare clothes-made them look more like wandering vagabonds than anything else.
Before she could respond, the man spoke once more.
“We haven’t eaten yet. Could we trouble you to share a meal with us? It’s been a long journey, and we’re anxious to look around once we arrive. We even missed last night’s dinner.”
Violet had just stepped out when she heard this. She had missed the earlier conversation and only caught the part about someone asking
Sophie to treat them to a meal. She glanced at the couple and as shep they were wandering travelers, then said, “Sure, I’ll treat you to a meal. We’re all friends when we’re away from home.”
The man’s expression softened, and a faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips. “Then I thank you kindly. How does Spring Pavilion sound?”
Sophie knew Spring Pavilion well-it was a well-known restaurant in the border town, famed for its unique dishes. The prices were reasonable, the portions generous, and it was only a short walk away.
Sophie wasn’t accustomed to inviting strangers to dinner, but since Violet had already agreed and she herself was curious about their backgrounds, she nodded in assent.
She led them toward the restaurant, but to her surprise, the man followed them while the woman went in the opposite direction.
Violet was somewhat puzzled and asked, “Isn’t your wife coming with us?”
The man answered, “She is. She returned to fetch a few others. We have companions.”
He then asked, “There are more people coming, which means more people to feed. Would you mind?”
Violet smiled. “Not at all.”
More people meant more people to feed, but it hardly mattered there would still be plenty of food to go around.
As they walked to Spring Pavilion, Sophie asked him his surname. The man shrugged, his voice light. “Names are mere symbols. What matters is fate.”
Travis observed him closely for a moment and muttered under his breath,
“Mysterious, isn’t he? Could he be some hidden expert?”
His voice was so quiet that only he could hear, but the man replied, “I’m no hidden expert-just a weary soul worn by endless travel.”
When Violet heard this, she felt a twinge of irritation. They were about to treat him and his wife to dinner, and yet he wouldn’t even share his name. It struck her as rather petty.