Chapter 35: Those with a Choice

Anden lands in Janloon after IBJCS work in Espenia, reflecting on the rise of medical jade and Jon Remi’s destabilizing example. He reunites with Jirhuya; intimacy and takeout ease his jet lag. Anden invites Jirhuya to No Peak’s New Year’s party with the Pillar’s permission, signaling seriousness.

Jirhuya refuses, fearing being seen as No Peak’s charity and wanting his professional success unlinked to clan patronage. The disagreement exposes their different positions within Kekon’s social order and unsettles Anden’s hopes for public acceptance of their relationship.

A desperate knock interrupts: Niko, soaked and distraught, asks to stay with Anden. The next day, Anden goes to the Kaul house and sees evidence of Hilo’s rage. Lott Jin reports that Hilo has stripped Niko of rank, frozen his accounts, and nearly ordered his jade removed.

Anden confronts Hilo, urging him not to repeat past rejections of family and to separate public necessity from private fatherhood. Hilo condemns Niko’s decision to sell his jade to foreigners and worries about clan image and defections; even Shae agrees with a hard line.

Anden proposes a compromise: publicly disavow Niko’s actions but keep him within the family and heirship privately. He invokes Lan’s example and Hilo’s execution of Niko’s mother, arguing Niko deserves the freedom to leave and the option to return. Anden stakes his own allegiance, threatening to leave No Peak if Hilo disowns Niko.

The argument ends unresolved. Anden informs Hilo that Niko is staying in his building’s guest suite and that he will take Niko to the airport in two weeks, leaving the Pillar to choose between pride and family.