I am suspicious of Merrick's move here. He has THE Trump Card. And he uses it to transport two people from A to B? There has to be more. Sure, he has limited resources and Royce is the one that would be able to pull this off quickly. But Royce isn't the only one, I am sure, that Merrick could use to kidnap two people. So there has to be more. Does he need all three (Saldur, Modina and Royce) to meet him up quickly for the other "ominous" job offer he had for Royce before Wintertide? Like two birds with one stone. Or does he think he can pull this card twice in a row? Or will he back-stab Royce? Also. Why bring Modina and not just have her killed? 1. Merrick thinks he can still subdue and use Modina - this in my eyes rellies heavily on the fact that he had no interaction with her himself and is not putting what happened at/after Wintertide to her but to the people around her. This brings me the question personally as to who he then thinks did it. Amilia? Why not have her removed from the picture in addition -> See in Point 2. why he might not ask for an assassination from Royce. 2. He needs her dead but does not trust Royce to do so and get rid of the body in a way that she can't be brought back as evidence. As well as that for Royce not to reach out to Hadrian he can not put anyone else in a Life/Death Situation than his trump card because that might lead Royce to think (due to such a thing not being possible to be reversed - a kidnapping can be reversed) and check in with his personal Moral Compass (Hadrian) which would make it go slower as well as bring in the complication of Hadrian and possibly even others in addition. either way. Something stinks here!

God, what a disappointment Degan Gaunt turns out to be. Arrogant Ass that flaunts his (fake) "Heir" Status the moment he has it. And is the man that Amilia fears from her time as a Maid to be sexually assaulted and raped. I already hate his guts.

I don't know why but I had kind of hoped Archibald would plan to rescue Thrace/Modina. Knight in Shining Armor kind of style, you know? Whisk her away in a daring move so she falls in love with him or then has to marry him (just to be rejected again by her)