The Duke was shaking.
Not enough for anyone else to notice, but Holden's 10,000x processor caught the tiny tremors in his jaw and the way his breathing had become shallow and controlled.
Behind Holden, the broken mirror frame stood in the middle of the mess. Glass dust still floated through the air as the nobles picked themselves up, brushed off their clothes, and whispered among themselves.
A few of them were staring at Holden now.
The contempt in their eyes was gone.
The Duke stepped forward.
His voice was calm. Too calm.
"That artifact was a Second Age relic. A family heirloom that's been passed down through the Sterling family for seven generations."
He glanced at the broken mirror.
"You broke it. Under Capital law, there's a way to settle the debt."
His eyes returned to Holden.
"A sanctioned duel."
Lyra immediately stepped forward.
"Father, that law hasn't been used in over a century. It's barbaric—"
"Daughter."
The Duke didn't even look at her.
