"Testing you?" Jesse muttered under his breath, stunned.

Nashon stood up, walked next to the window, and looked at the garden for a while.

"None of the Islanders are simple. Often, we have to make costly sacrifices if we want to gain their trust. Shingen must be very suspicious of us offering him a marriage. He thinks we're up to some schemes or this is in preparation for something else.

"Meanwhile, the Shinto Way requires the help of our family to enter our country. However, he needs to be on his guard in case we're up to no good. That's why we had this performance today.

"If I'm someone who values family ties, then he will be sure I won't betray my country for some benefits. But if all I care about is profit and care little for family, it will make me the best partner for him. That's why I'm saying that instead of confirming the date of marriage, he's here to decide if he wants to work with us."

Nashon explained all his conjectures one by one, and it was enough to stop Jesse i