The Emperor stared at him for a long moment.
Once, the Kosler family had been one of the Empire's pillars the largest financial contributor to the border wars, the primary supplier of winter logistics, a house with vast trade networks. They were not minor nobles easily replaced.
That was precisely what made this situation so destabilizing.
"Protection?" the Emperor repeated softly.
The Marquess nodded quickly. "This is slander. A political attack. Duke Morvex he is the one behind this. He is furious, and now he seeks to destroy us!"
The Emperor did not respond immediately.
He walked slowly back to his desk, picked up one file, and threw it onto the floor in front of the Marquess.
"Is this slander as well?" he asked sharply.
The Marquess lowered his gaze to the document a list of slave transactions disguised as 'contract labor.'
The color drained from his face.
The Emperor picked up another document.
"Embezzlement of imperial funds."
Then another.
