Chapter 10
I called the senior capos together.
Not to vote.
To listen.
I explained Miriam’s proposal exactly as it had been described to me.
Formal family council.
Seats by branch.
Permanent representation.
No one looked shocked.
That bothered me.
“How many of you have heard this?”
Four hands.
“How many support it?”
One.
Thomas Greco raised his.
I appreciated that.
“Why?”
He answered honestly.
“Because concentrated command can become dangerous.”
Fair.
That was a real argument.
Not everything Miriam said was poison.
I looked around the table.
“Then we discuss command.”
Silence.
“But children are not evidence.”
Thomas nodded.
Good.
I continued.
“If you want a council, propose a council. If you think I hold too much authority, say it to my face.”
Several men shifted.
“Do not steal toys from toddlers and call it succession planning.”
That embarrassed them.
It should.
Conrad sat at the far end.
I looked at him.
“You wanted legitimacy.”
He said nothing.
“You almost got it.”
His eyes lifted.
“If Miriam had brought this proposal openly, I would have heard it.”
That surprised him.
“Instead, she turned Eli and Nathan into symbols before either child understands what Ravello means.”
Thomas spoke.
“That was wrong.”
Conrad looked betrayed.
Good.
Honesty should feel expensive sometimes.
The council question did not disappear.
I allowed discussion.
That mattered.
Miriam’s manipulation did not automatically make every concern attached to it false.
But one rule became immediate.
No child under sixteen would attend command discussions.
No one would use Eli, Nathan, or any other minor as evidence for political claims.
Conrad laughed bitterly.
“You’re protecting Eli again.”
“No.”
I looked at him.
“I’m protecting Nathan too.”
May you like
He had no answer.
Because somewhere inside him, he knew that was true.
