Two days after I returned to Sestia, the familiar quiet of my library wrapped around like a comforting cloak. The air slled faintly of old parchnt, sandalwood incense, and the spiced tea I had brought back from Denril. I sat reclined in the armchair—its velvet cushions shaped to the curve of my spine—one leg crossed over the other, a delicate porcelain teacup held loosely between my fingers.
Across from , the three city lords—my loyal vassals—were seated on two opposing sofas, each exuding a different shade of barely veiled nace. It was strange how peace could coexist so naturally in a room filled with forr underworld lords. They were dangerous n, molded by cri and fire—but under my rule, they’d evolved. Refined. Loyal.
"So," I began, taking a slow sip of the warm, fragrant brew. "How is everyone?"
Lord Snake was the first to respond. He leaned back lazily, his ever-playful smirk already forming. "Everything’s going smoothly. But I won’t lie—we did miss you, Master."
Lord Hawke, ever the formal one, adjusted his sleeves slightly and nodded. "Affairs have remained stable in your absence, Master. We’ve submitted all the necessary reports regarding the businesses, internal security, the city council, and the guild’s earnings."
"Good." I offered a small smile, then turned toward the one who had remained silent—the most enigmatic of the three.
"What about you, Lord Devil?"
He looked up from his cup, his usual calm smirk touching the corners of his lips. "Hm? There’s nothing that could go wrong—not when it’s all handled under your wing, Master." He paused, eyes narrowing slightly with interest. "But I confess I’m far more curious to hear about what truly happened in Denril."
As if on cue, the other two straightened slightly, their eyes locking onto like wolves drawn by the scent of intrigue.
Lord Devil placed his cup down with a soft clink and turned fully toward . "Of course, the newspapers were buzzing—how the three Princes of Sestia won over the hearts of Denril’s people. And Prince Rune, engaged to the Princess of Denril? It all sounds... tidy. Too tidy. And then there’s the matter of the sea routes the King promised. That’s the part I find especially interesting."
I let a smirk play across my lips as I studied the three of them—n once feared across kingdoms, now cloaked in finer clothing but still cloaked in the sa raw power. The cities they ruled may have changed, their blood-stained pasts washed clean with reform, but their presence—intense and dangerous—remained intact.
And I liked it that way.
"As you heard," I began, swirling the tea idly in my cup, "the King of Denril has promised two major sea routes to Prince Eric, and one each to Prince Davian and the Young Duke Rune."
"Hmm? Not to Sestia itself?" Lord Hawke tilted his head, a puzzled crease forming on his brow.
Lord Snake let out a snort. "Oh, that’s going to ruffle so scales."
Even Lord Devil let out a low chuckle. "Indeed. That’s not just going to cause ripples. That’s a political tsunami."
"You an," Lord Snake added, barely containing his amusent, "I’d love to see Golden Serpent’s face when she gets to know that the sea routes weren’t for her and the King to control but the Prince who she tried so hard to get rid of."
They all burst into laughter, rich and wicked. It filled the room like music, laced with sharp mirth.
I chuckled along with them. "Well, everything is going as smoothly as it could get."
"But," I said, letting my voice drop into sothing quieter, firr, "this is only the beginning. A single victory on the political chessboard doesn’t win the ga."
They imdiately sobered.
"This is the first declaration to the world—that Prince Eric’s influence is rising. That the flas he bears aren’t just for show. What cos next will determine if Sestia can truly transform under his reign."
"You have only to give the order, Master," Lord Snake said, his voice unusually solemn. "We’ll move heaven and earth for our Prince."
"Not yet," I replied. "But soon. The Princes will return next month, and a grand ball will be held to honor the heroes who ended this war and brought peace to both nations. That night, the curtain will rise. The pieces will move."
Lord Snake leaned forward, his erald eyes gleaming with mischief. "I can’t wait."
"Is there anything we should begin preparing in the anti, Master?" Lord Devil asked, always the strategist.
"Yes." I t each of their gazes. "Return to your domains. Keep your ears to the ground and your people in line. Prince Eric’s rise to the spotlight will provoke her. The Golden Serpent will try to sow dissent, twist narratives, and manipulate the court of public opinion. I trust you three to ensure no rumor takes root. Silence it before it grows."
"We understand, Master," Lord Hawke said.
"We won’t let our Prince of Flas be extinguished by petty sches," Lord Snake added.
"If anything," Lord Devil finished, "his na will blaze across kingdoms—for his wisdom, his bravery, and the change he brings."
I smiled, proud of the loyalty burning behind their words.
"Good," I said softly.
"Ah, speaking of good, where is the Young Master? I didn’t see him today," Lord Snake suddenly asked, his tone dipping into a wistful murmur as he looked around the room as if expecting Kai to appear from behind the bookshelves.
"He’s training right now, Lord Snake," I replied, settling deeper into the armchair.
"Heh? And here I thought I could play with him." Lord Snake pouted, slouching into the sofa with exaggerated disappointnt.
Lord Hawke didn’t even glance at him as he sipped his tea. "Lord Snake, please stay away from the Young Master."
"Eh? Why?" Snake shot back, raising a brow.
"I agree," Lord Devil chid in without missing a beat, his arms crossed. "You are not a good influence for the kind and innocent Young Master."
"And you two are?" Lord Snake snapped, sitting up straight with indignation.
"At least we don’t gift him explicit books," Lord Devil remarked coolly, his lips curling up in an amused smirk.
My eyebrow twitched.
He gifted Kai what?
"Explicit books?" I asked slowly, my tone deceptively calm.
Lord Snake’s eyes darted away. "I only gifted him the kind of books that would help him in the future! He’s a growing boy!"
"Young Master Kai is still a child, Lord Snake," Lord Hawke said, his voice stern and disapproving.
"Lord Snake?" I called, my voice razor-sharp.
He turned to look at , and I saw a visible shiver ripple through him, like prey sensing a predator’s breath on its neck.
"Mind explaining," I said, smiling—not kindly—"what exactly this gift was that you gave to my son?"
Lord Snake cleared his throat and tugged at his collar. "Um... Y-you see, Master... it’s... ah..."
"Hm..." Lord Devil made a thoughtful sound, his tone purposefully dramatic. "I believe the title was sothing like How I Fathered Ten Children... or wait—was it How I Pleasured Ten Ladies?"
The temperature in the room dropped like a stone tossed into icy waters. My Dragon’s Presence surged before I could suppress it, casting a suffocating pressure over the room. The chandeliers trembled, and a few scrolls fell from the nearest shelf. All three Lords stiffened, trying their best not to flinch.
"I-it was just a joke... I swear, Master...!" Lord Snake stamred, sweat beginning to bead at his temples.
"It’s a good thing Mrs. Jones is a wise woman," Lord Devil added smoothly, "She screens all incoming gifts for the Young Master. She disposed of that particular parcel before it ever reached him."
I turned my full gaze on Lord Snake. He paled.
"I-I’ll never send any such gifts to Young Master again," he mumbled quickly, head bowed.
I slowly pulled back the suffocating weight of my presence, allowing the room to return to normal. The three n collectively exhaled, shoulders sinking in relief.
"The next ti I hear of sothing like this," I said coldly, my voice quiet but sharp enough to slice through steel, "You will earn yourself a personal session in the East Wing’s lower chambers. Understood, Lord Snake?"
It was my favorite and highly secured torture chamber, the walls were extrely thick and sound proof, not even an explosion inside or outside could put a scratch on that place.
"Yes, Master," he whispered imdiately, spine straight with fear.
I nodded once, satisfied.
After the eting, I made my way to Kai’s quarters. Enora was inside, busy arranging the room with her usual care. I knocked lightly on the doorfra, and she turned to look at , her warm smile instantly lighting up the space.
"Oh, my—Master! Is there sothing you need?" she asked, straightening her posture with her usual composed elegance.
"Thank you," I said simply, crossing my arms over my chest and leaning my shoulder against the door.
She tilted her head, puzzled. "Why?"
"I heard about the so-called gift from Lord Snake... and how you quietly removed it before it could reach Kai."
Enora let out a soft chuckle. "You were the one who entrusted with the responsibility of looking after Young Master Kai, Master. I’m only doing what I promised to do—and will continue to do. So, please don’t thank for fulfilling my duty."
A smile tugged at my lips as I watched her.
"How’s Rose?" I asked after a beat.
"She’s doing well," Enora replied, her expression softening. "I asked her when she and Sir Asher plan to get married... but it seems she hasn’t quite decided yet."
"That’s fine. Let them take their ti," I said, shrugging lightly.
Enora sighed, her eyes glinting with maternal concern. "It’s a big thing for a mother, you know."
I stepped forward and pulled her into a gentle embrace.
"Oh my!" she gasped with surprise before laughing softly. Her hands patted my back with practiced affection. "I’m sure your father will be just as worried when it’s your turn to marry."
I let out a sigh. "Until then, you still have . And Rose will continue to stay at Oasis. So don’t worry too much."
When I pulled back, she looked up at with a smile that held equal parts fondness and reassurance.
"Besides," she added, "you’ll be heading ho for dinner, won’t you?"
I humd in response. "I was waiting for Kai, but I guess he’s enjoying his ti at Eldarf too much to rember ."
She laughed. "You know he loves you more than anyone in the world."
"I do," I nodded quietly, my gaze resting on her for a mont longer.
Even as we spoke, I hadn’t withdrawn the shadows tailing Asher. The number of watchers had decreased—only a minimal team now—but they were still there, vigilant. I wouldn’t show rcy if he ever slipped, not when Kai and Rose’s safety was in question. But according to the recent reports, he truly seed to have moved on with Rose. He treated her well, with no signs of manipulation or deceit. So, for now, I would wait and let ti decide the future they were building together.
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