Nott would likely rather scoff at regularly using something like Academic Magic as the Thorne mages would. That might be the only problem he runs into, but if Istredd add his own enchantments, that's maybe different enough magicks for a family in need to swallow their pride and accept.

All he says in argument to being 'man of the people' is, Mob mentality. Work into the little people and it spreads. Rumors are illogical, he's sure he's said something of the sort to Istredd in the past.

He shifts around, blankets twisting as much as possible with him, to face Istredd, already talking with his hands as he does so. Are they discussing Thorne politics, and politics in a generalization, on Lucifer's bed at some abnormal hour of the night? Yes, apparently they are.

"Unlikely. I assume Thorne has no care for Nott from how much the citizens themselves mutter unhappily about the Crown. And as much as I don't care about Lyle, 'influence' from Thorne is more than likely to backfire negatively. Do they need the help? Yes. But they're likely as independent from Thorne as any of the territory can get. Lyle and the others 'Lords' aren't going to want to lose that, and it will cause new problems."