Richard Foster

Late autumn in the year 401 of the Kingdom of Verhan, at the Karen manor in the royal capital's commercial district. The paint on the outer walls is peeling here and there, but the study alone still holds the mahogany bookshelves and heraldic banners from the previous head's day. Spread out on the desk is a contract stamped with a gold-leaf seal. Count Karen believes this contract is the greatest opportunity of his life to raise the family's fortunes. You know it is the beginning of this manor going to auction six years from now. On the first day after you regressed, you warned him in this very study, but all you got back was a scolding for spouting the foolish nonsense of a nineteen-year-old daughter. This morning at dawn, you sold the last of your jewelry and made your first deal at the wholesale market, and word of it reached the manor faster than you expected. At dusk, the butler tells you the Count has summoned you to the study. When you open the door, he stands with his back to you, looking down at the lights of the commercial district outside the window.