Another aide, ever eager to please, chimed in with a sycophantic tone.
"Ah, we aren't as young as we once were, Your Grace. You must take care of yourself. Perhaps a nap during the day would help?"
A third noble added, "Indeed! Surely Your Grace has been too busy to rest. If you're feeling unwell, perhaps we should adjourn for the day and resume the meeting tomorrow."
The room quickly filled with murmurs of concern for the duke's health. Unlike the northeastern faction, which was mired in internal disputes, the northwestern faction was firmly under Duke Rochester's control. Any dissenters had already been eliminated during the chaos of the war.
Rochester furrowed his brow and shook his head.
"That won't be necessary. I appreciate your concern, but let's continue with the meeting."
He straightened in his seat, attempting to refocus on the discussion. Yet, the repetitive complaints and grievances of the other nobles only pulled his thoughts further astray.
