The Ledger Courts still believe in optics.
That is their flaw.
⸻
The first place they do not touch is the children’s ward in Eastmere.
Not because they cannot.
Because they are afraid of what it would look like if they did.
Zane learns this from Jason at dawn, while the heir sits on the floor between them, surrounded by bits of twine and smooth stones, utterly absorbed in the important work of sorting the world into categories only they understand.
“They’re holding,” Jason says quietly, scanning a layered map of routes and sanctions. “Everywhere except hospitals, orphan houses, and elder care halls.”
Zane doesn’t look surprised.
“They can’t afford that image yet,” he says.
Jason nods. “Yet.”
The heir looks up at the tension in Zane’s voice and toddles closer, pressing a stone in
