[Rynthall Estate—Lucein's Office—Afternoon]
"I suggest you… raise the salary of our people, my lord," Marcel said carefully, placing a neat stack of documents in front of Lucien.
"A raise of salary?" Lucien echoed, raising a brow.
Marcel nodded solemnly. "The people who work for us… they've shown more loyalty while Lord Silas has been away. They've held the estate together, my lord, despite everything."
Elysia, perched comfortably on Lucien's lap and swinging her tiny legs back and forth, paused mid-bite of a pastel-colored macaron. Her crimson eyes darted between her "Mama" and the Marcel.
Lucien smiled faintly, brushing a loose curl from her cheek. "Alright, then… raise their salary. Ten percent, Marcel. Is that enough?"
Marcel tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Yes, my lord. That should suffice."
Lucien nodded, picking up his pen and sighing as he signed the papers. Marcel accepted them with a small bow.
