"Of course he'll seek revenge." Marcelo sounded like that was a foregone conclusion.

"I don't want much or anything to do with the Inner Circle. That game of thrones has already hurt us too much." He took a breath. "Though there is one person that's was Inner Circle but is not on the Lords Cardinal that Sage suggested I talk to."

His brow furrowed. "Well, having a politician under your thumb is often contingent on that politician being elected or not having a scandal crop up. With Sage, we can dig up the latter." The former would require more careful thought.

He swallowed. "I didn't know if I should even show you all of this. I know there's... complicated feelings as he's your father."