The old woman's eyes widened slightly in surprise, before narrowing in deep, calculating thought. "The Vane family... yes. My younger brother has a sprawling estate in the southern province. There are dozens of children in that branch. But they are scholars and merchants, Seera. They are not soldiers."
"A soldier can be forged," Heena replied coldly, remembering the crying prince in the courtyard. "A sharp mind and a ruthless instinct cannot. I want to visit the Vane estate. I want to personally evaluate your cousins' children. If I find one who has the eyes of a wolf, I will bring them back to the capital and officially adopt them."
Grandpa Marcuset let out a low hum, stroking his white beard. "It is a bold move. Adopting an outsider into the main bloodline will cause an uproar in the noble courts. The Emperor will be furious that you are actively securing the title away from his grasp."
