***
During dinner, Balthazar looked wryly at Jason Moiser. He couldn't understand what was going on here.
If Aaron said that this guy would most likely be the next head of the clan, then how could it be that Jason isn't even a demigod. The highest magical potential is considered the basis, without which it is simply not possible to become the head of the clan...
In a small clan, and even then for a very short period of time, a magician can indeed become the head of the clan ... But for an average one, such a development of events is nonsense.
«Is there something on my face?» Jason asked, noticing the special attention from the heir of the Bach clan.
«No, it's all right...» Balthazar replied, and then, plucking up the courage, decided to ask. Are you the only Jason in the family?
The young man frowned, obviously he did not expect such close attention to his own person. Instead, Alphonse, sitting next to him, decided to answer:
— The only one, apparently even rumors reached you ...
— What are the rumors? asked Bradomir. — The old man is completely behind the times, could you enlighten me ...
«A year ago, for some reason, many people in the city began to say that there was another Jason Moiser in our clan,» Alphonse explained. «Most likely, some idiot decided to pretend to be a member of our clan. Not to say that many people saw him, but some fell for the bait of a scammer ...
Balthasar, having heard such a story, became even more confused, because it could not be that Aaron was somehow able to deceive this scoundrel, who took someone else's name ...
«I don't know why that jerk took my name, but if he catches my eye...» Jason said menacingly. — In general, I will definitely tear out his tongue so that I can no longer deceive people.
«Okay, stop talking about all sorts of nonsense,» said Alphonse. «We're here on an important matter...
— Do you want to ask something? said Bradomir, putting down the cutlery.
«Yes, I have long overdue, so to speak, the question ...» the heir of the Moiser clan thoughtfully stretched out the words, and then said: «On what basis did the Arcer clan assume that Anna and Susan Arcer are with you?»
The old man was absolutely calm and the question did not bother him at all.
«In truth, when such an unexpected accusation came against us, I instructed my subordinates to make inquiries ...» Bradomir said. «What they found surprised me to some extent.
— And what did you find out? Jason interjected. You have really intrigued us.
— In general, the last time Anna and Susan Arcer were seen in the city, in the market, and according to some eyewitnesses, it was about a month ago, — Bradomir explained, and then, smoothing his mustache, continued. — Further, in the course of interviewing witnesses and conducting our own investigation, we came to the perpetrators of the abduction of girls. It turned out that this is a criminal group, primarily engaged in the slave trade.
«Are you saying that you are not involved here, and that it was all the slave traders who did this?» Alphonse clarified, not hiding his skepticism. Do you think that if we are young, then we are fools? Obviously, the slavers would never dare to insult the Arcer clan...
«Calm down, grandfather didn't have time to finish,» Balthazar cut in. «Like you said, the slave traders wouldn't dare to do something like that if they weren't hired by someone to do the job...»
«It's true, in order to find the customer, we first wanted to learn more about this criminal group, and in which case find out the identity of the customer from them,» continued Bradomir. — Only here an unforeseen problem appeared... The grouping was slaughtered a week ago, after which, literally the next day, rumors spread that the girls from the Arcer clan were supposedly with us...
«You mean you were framed?» Jason asked.
«Jane, my sister, said that even in the academy there were such rumors,» Balthazar added. «However, many managed to notice that it is the Arcer clan that spreads these very rumors.
«Suppose this is all a cunning plan of the Arcer clan,» Alphonse nodded. «But what motive are they pursuing by taking such actions... Have they forgotten that the Moiser clan does not tolerate conflicts between their vassals?»
«You are still young, and you must not know ...» Bradomir decided to explain himself. «There may be no enmity between our clans, but our relations are rather strained ...
— For what reason, if not a secret? Jason asked, narrowing his eyes.
«About twenty years ago, the Arcer clan proposed an engagement to our clan,» Bradomir said. — Then I was not so wise, and refused such an offer.
— Why? Alphonse was surprised. «The Arcer clan is rich and also has a long history, it would do well for you to enlist the support of such an ally...»
«You see, I have only one daughter, and I didn't intend to marry a second time,» the old man sighed, and then continued. «Besides, Ilmira grew up as a spoiled girl, and did not want to leave her father's house ... In general, I made a decision guided by selfishness, and have not yet regretted it.
«But didn't your daughter and son-in-law die?» Jason clarified. «If she had joined the Arcer clan, this wouldn't have happened...»
— What do you have in mind? Balthazar frowned, and then abruptly stood up from the table. Are you saying it's...
«Shut up, Balthazar!» shouted Bradomir. — Sit down...
The threat in the old man's eyes was clearly visible...
The grandson quickly stepped back, and immediately sat back on the chair. You could tell from the awkward look in his eyes that he regretted his temper tantrum.