"Your breakfast, Lord Konrad," Hans said, "And... your uncle has requested your presence in the main hall."

Konrad took a piece of the tough bread.

Uncle Lothar. The late Lord Wilhelm’s younger brother.

If the peasant uprisings and the empty treasury weren’t enough, Lothar was the rot within the walls.

He was a man who had spent his entire life living comfortably off the estate’s meager income while doing absolutely nothing to improve it. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

"Did he say what he wanted, Hans?" Konrad asked, chewing the dry bread.

"No, my Lord. Only that it was a matter of urgent family business." Hans hesitated, nervously wringing his hands. "He has been speaking with the guards, Lord Konrad. Asking them about the silver your father took to Italy."

Lothar was sniffing around for whatever scraps were left.

"Thank you, Hans," Konrad said, "Tell him I will be down shortly."

He finished his meager breakfast, smoothed down his simple woolen tunic, and made his way to the main hall.

"Ah, Konrad," Lothar said smoothly, "It is good to see you walking. We were all terribly worried the fever would finish you."

"The fever broke, Uncle," Konrad replied evenly, taking a seat at the head of the table. "I am recovering well. What is this urgent business?"

Lothar sighed, pulling out a chair and sitting down opposite Konrad. "It is the estate, my boy. With your father gone, the burden falls to you. And a heavy burden it is. I have been looking over the ledgers."

Conrad simply stared at him, refusing to offer any response.

Lothar shifted slightly. "The truth is, Konrad, we are ruined. The treasury is empty, the peasants are revolting, and the Duke of Württemberg will likely demand heavy taxes we cannot pay. I have spoken with a merchant from Augsburg. He is willing to buy the southern grazing lands for a fair amount of silver."

"Sell our lands?" Konrad asked.

"It is the only logical choice," Lothar insisted, leaning forward. "We can take the silver, pay off our immediate debts, and perhaps move to a small townhouse in a Free Imperial City. It is safer there."

If they sold the southern grazing lands, they would lose their primary source of livestock. The estate would become entirely dependent on grain, making them incredibly vulnerable to a single bad harvest.

And the silver? Lothar would undoubtedly demand his ’fair share’ before abandoning Konrad entirely.

"No." Konrad said.

Lothar blinked, "Konrad, you must be reasonable. You are young, you do not understand the complexities of—"

"I understand perfectly, Uncle," Konrad interrupted, "You want to strip the estate of its only remaining value so you can secure a comfortable retirement in Augsburg while I am left to deal with the angry peasants and an empty larder."

Lothar’s face turned bright red. "You impudent boy. I am trying to save what little is left of this family! You think you can manage this estate? You, who spent your entire childhood hiding in the library?"

Konrad leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "I think I will manage it better than a man who wants to sell our future for a few bags of silver. The lands are not for sale, Uncle Lothar. Not now, not ever."

Lothar stood up abruptly. He glared down at Konrad, his hands balled into tight fists.

For a fleeting second, Konrad saw true malice in his uncle’s eyes.

"You will regret this arrogance, Konrad," Lothar hissed, "Your father was a fool, and it seems the apple did not fall far from the tree. Do not expect me to save you when the peasants break down the gates."

Without waiting for a reply, Lothar turned on his heel and stormed out of the hall.

Konrad remained seated, watching the empty doorway. He had expected resistance, but the venom in his uncle’s reaction confirmed his worst suspicions.