Chapter 35

“Ah,” Trevor said, “I think our breakfast is here. Shall I do the honors?”

“By all means,” I said.

When the server rolled the cart out onto the terrace and saw who was dining with us, he instantly became much more formal and attentive, which made me think of a question to ask as soon as he’d left.

“Watching that guy defer to you, Father, made me wonder—when your retirement and ultimately your death is announced to the world, do you have to go into hiding here in your own home?”

“Not at all. Everyone who serves within the residential portion of the castle is a family member. All members of the family spend some years serving the Duchy in some capacity, usually when they are young. Think of it as our version of National Service, except that it isn’t mandatory, merely suggested and encouraged.”

We settled down to our breakfast, and Dani and I continued to ask questions.