"I hope you don't mind signing a Divine Contract then?"
Draco's eyes darkened. "A Divine Contract? Why? You never asked the Archelins to sign."
Aeric offered a slow, knowing smile. "A verbal promise is one thing. But because this has to do with two families, I have to make sure that giving you my word is balanced with something as strong as a Divine Contract. I am the Prince after all. My word is far stronger than yours. This evens the odds and makes sure you keep your word."
Draco hesitated — but now, with the weight of every watching noble, he couldn't refuse.
A muscle ticked in his jaw. "You're a manipulative little bastard," he muttered.
Then, a glow of light appeared before him with a golden pauper materialising after.
~ ~ ~
Having captured the sponsorship of two out of ten branching families, Aeric felt pretty successful so far. But it was also time to speed things up. Besides, it wasn't only family discussions he planned to carry out today.
