Annan's first reaction after pondering,
was to seek out the head of the Rasputin family... "Beauty of Imbalance" Vasily Rasputin.
For Annan trusted Ivan.
Ivan had once said to Annan, "Although the Rasputins are odd, once you succeed as the Duke of Winter, the Rasputins will become your best allies."
Because the Rasputins are a secret-keeping family, there's no need to worry about them leaking secrets.
Annan planned to attribute the discovery of this ore vein to the Rasputin family. As a pure-blooded ritualistic family, it wouldn't be strange for them to be privy to some exceptional secrets and to master some inexplicable rituals.
It would be perfectly reasonable for them to discover a gemstone vein—and, fearing their inability to monopolize such immense profit, offer a substantial share of the benefits to the Duke of Winter in exchange for the privilege of mining the gems.
In this way, the other nobles would not only be unable to approach Annan to "demand half" upon meeting.
