In that quiet moment, Michael couldn't help the small, dry thought that crawled into his mind.
If I'd had this an hour ago, that Great-Tier scroll would have been mine.
A ripple of understanding passed through the room. Michael knew exactly why the manager's hands were trembling, why his voice wavered as he asked, "Is there…anything else you require, Sir Mic? Any further compensation, or perhaps an item you had your eye on? It would be no trouble."
Michael studied the man's pallid face.
He knew exactly why the manager was offering so freely.
He'd realized that Michael's intervention tonight hadn't just saved the nobles and the customers.
It had saved him.
Had the second prince died in that illusion—
Michael's eyes shifted sideways, landing on the prince, who was now engaged in a low, affable conversation with Duke Evermoon.
—it would have been had for most people here to live to see another dawn.
Not the manager. Not his staff. Probably not even their families.
