Rewrite That Witch
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Chapter 389: Entrust

“Duke Eltek, dinner is ready.”

Irene opened the door and bowed with a precision she didn’t usually employ. Her voice, too, was more constrained than Ferlin had ever heard it — and he had seen her greet the prince without this level of visible tension. He glanced at his father, who had been sitting in the same chair since they returned and had not spoken a word.

“Father?”

Duke Eltek blinked, surfacing from wherever he’d been. “Come and eat.”

The table was set with more than usual care. Ferlin recognized Irene’s work — she had clearly made a trip to the Convenience Market while he was gone. He met her eyes across the room and smiled, meaning to convey gratitude and something like admiration. He cut the bread and divided the main course into four even portions, as was his habit. Three family members and one guest: Irene’s friend May, who was still here.

He had come home to find them deep in discussion about a drama. He’d introduced his father to both women and expected May to take the natural exit — most people would, faced with a visiting Duke in unexpected circumstances. Instead, she had looked at Duke Eltek with a brief, unreadable frown and stayed. She had proposed, with no particular ceremony, that she ought to remain for dinner.

Ferlin was genuinely baffled. He had tried to thank her properly on multiple occasions, invited her to banquets she had declined each time without explanation. Tonight she sat and served herself broth without being asked.

He had no time to puzzle it out. On the surface he was composed and attentive, but underneath, two things pressed at him simultaneously: concern over what his father made of Irene, and Agatha’s manner — the flat dismissal that had landed on the Duke’s face like something breaking. He didn’t know how to comfort his father about either. The years of distance between them had created an estrangement that courtesy couldn’t bridge. All he could do was be still and eat quietly.

Fortunately, May was around.

She steered the conversation toward drama with the ease of long practice, and Duke Eltek, who had a genuine appreciation for theater and the culture of the great cities, responded to it. Between them they had a spirited exchange about King’s City — the charm of its stages, the particular pleasures of its noble social life. Irene could contribute to the theater portions and did so with increasing warmth. By the time the main course was finished, the meal had become something other than dreary.

May made her farewells promptly after dinner. After Ferlin helped Irene wash the dishes, his father called him to the study.

“Your wife has made a good friend.”

Ferlin was slightly surprised. “You mean May? She’s genuinely remarkable — she’s helped Irene enormously with her performances, took care of her during the Stronghold show—”

“I’m not speaking about acting.” Duke Eltek’s voice was dry with amusement. “Didn’t you notice? She was asserting influence over me throughout the entire dinner.”

“Asserting — father, they were just having a pleasant conversation.”

The old man laughed — a real laugh, the kind Ferlin hadn’t heard in years. “You have no eye for this at all. The story she chose to tell about King’s City was drawn from the legend of the commoner girl and the noble man. Cinderella. When politics came up, she found a way to reference His Highness’s intention to reclaim feudal lands. She knew that you willingly cut ties with your family to be with Irene — or she wouldn’t have opposed every implied criticism I might have raised, sentence by sentence.”

Ferlin was quiet for a moment.

“Is that right.”

Duke Eltek sat back. His expression, when he spoke again, was milder than it had been all evening. “Rather than being swayed by surface things — titles, inherited rank — it’s what a person does that matters. After talking with Miss May, I’ve arrived at a clearer position on Miss Agatha.” He paused. “Whatever our ancestors did or didn’t do, we’ve returned everything that was entrusted to our family, intact. Even if she refuses to acknowledge us, there are other ways we can serve.” He exhaled slowly. “Though I personally disagree with the choice you made—” He looked at his son with something that was not quite resignation and not quite approval, but somewhere between the two. “—after seeing your life here with Irene, I find I can’t call the effort futile.”

“Thank you.” The words came out before Ferlin had arranged them, and his eyes burned with it. He had not doubted his decision — but wanting his father’s understanding and not needing it were two different things.

What Duke Eltek said next came from a different part of the conversation entirely.

“Have you ever considered returning to the Eltek family?”

“What?” Ferlin went still. “I — no, I… father—”

“I’m not asking you to become a knight of Longsong Stronghold again.” The Duke cut gently through his stumbling. “You understand what I mean.” He said it clearly: “I want you to inherit the family.”

Morning Light swallowed. “But my brother—”

“Miso Eltek will not make a suitable successor.” His father spoke without softening it. “He wanted to become a celebrated knight in the Western Region, as you were. After the Duke’s defeat, he lost his footing. A family in our position — a losing side pledging allegiance to a new ruler — should know how to read which way things are moving. Instead, Miso keeps close contact with the other four great families. I can’t turn him.”

“He believes he’s the natural heir. After I left, you had no other option.”

“Exactly. Which is also why he gave you that cold reception when you came back to the mansion.” Duke Eltek turned his hands over in his lap. “Succession isn’t about bloodline alone. A suitable heir must know how to observe circumstances. Ability can be cultivated. Knowledge can be taught. Judgment about when to act and when to wait — that must come from within.”

Ferlin said nothing.

“Lord Petrov has announced His Highness Roland’s new policies. And from Miss May’s drama at the Stronghold — the one titled ‘New City’ — I believe His Highness intends to reshape the entire Western Region into a single entity soon. Whether the four great families accept this is uncertain. What is certain is that this is a moment for stillness and observation, not for being used as a forward scout by other men’s ambitions.”

This was nothing Ferlin didn’t already know. His Highness had always been transparent about his plans, announcing policies before enacting them, giving people time to see what was coming. The plan to develop Border Town into a proper city had been public knowledge for some time.

“I don’t want to contest the succession,” Ferlin said at last. “My brother would not accept it quietly. I know him.”

“I’m not asking you to decide tonight.” His father raised a hand. “I’m still healthy. While I’m standing, the family has its direction.” The smile that followed looked older than the man’s face. “If Miso understood what I’m telling you, I would never have needed to say any of this.” He held his son’s eyes. “All I ask is this: should our family ever fall into serious trouble, do us a favor. For your mother’s sake, and for mine.”

This request, Ferlin could not refuse.

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