Several eyewitnesses had seen the forest burning and heard the commotion after Michael's group left. Michael's capture of the spy had only bolstered his reputation.
"Yes, I was tending to the beasts at the time, so I wasn't in the thick of it. But Sir Michael truly did an excellent job," Baron Kensington added, his tone full of praise.
Michael felt the growing admiration in the gazes of Count Charles and Baron Kensington. The way they looked at him was almost unnerving, as if they were ready to marry him off immediately to secure an alliance.
In a society where political marriages solidified alliances, such a possibility was far from unlikely.
Michael quietly moved closer to his father.
"Father, please don't let them pressure you. I'd prefer to find a match once my position is more stable," Michael whispered.
Baron Crassus gave his son a startled look.
