《The Draft of the Biting Cold》


 Ruthlessness Returns

    The grand estate of the Justinian family. The bastion of one of the world''s most powerful families, my family, now crumbling in flames, and I was witnessing it all so young. Our grand halls, our beloved decorations, and our grand ornaments ¨C all of it scorched and smoldered into nothingness. The whoosh of the raging flame and the crackling of burning wood bellowed in my ears, drowning out my mother''s desperate cries.


    Amid everything, I saw him. He stood there, motionless, like many of our marble statues. His head was hung, as he was staring at something that was obscured by the smoke and debris.


    Suddenly, he snapped his fingers, and I saw a flash of light, and then everything went white. When I opened my eyes again, I was on the ground, my ears were ringing, my head was spinning. I thought I heard the sound of my grandfather screaming but I was not conscious enough to tell. I stood up slowly, trying to regain my balance. The moment I was on my feet, I looked back in the man''s direction. He was staring right at me. Frozen, I stared right back. Our gazes stayed unmoved for a few seconds. I noticed that the lower half of his face was obscured by some fierce-looking mask. But what was far more distinguishable were his eyes, so full of hatred and disgust. He glanced down at his feet and held his stare with distant and unfeeling contempt.


    I didn''t know what to feel. I simply stared at him until he abruptly turned away and disappeared into the smoke.


    That was ten years ago. Now, the ashes were buried beneath the foundation of the newly rebuilt estate. It was the day of the grand reopening and many who escaped and survived the blaze were eager to return to their ancestral home. A project that took more than a decade and the blood, sweat, and tears of my uncle, it was a symbol of the foreboding return of the nation''s most powerful family.


    I walked down the polished stone paths, paying no heed to the gossip of haughty noblemen and women. Such gatherings were often beacons for the elite to relate their frivolous and lavish lifestyles to each other, and oftentimes, their discussions will be incredibly dull. The more I stayed away from it, the less time I would waste. Then, as I was close to reaching the entrance, a voice called out.


    "Lady Elara!"


    I tried to ignore the voice but a hand on my shoulder forced me to entertain whoever just called me. A woman in a fine dress greeted me with a smile. Her garb was finer than even most nobles could afford. Her clothing was colorful and bold, though intended for outdoors, it was still far more opulent than it needed to be. Her fingers sparkled with individual jewel rings that shined in many colors, whose unique craft betrayed her foreign heritage. Yes, I knew who this was. Princess Halimah Bint Hasan Al-Farhad, heir apparent to the monarchy of Diriyah. The presence of a foreign aristocrat was not surprising as the Justinian family had far-reaching connections, so their return to prominence was bound to attract celebrants from overseas. But a visit from the heir apparent of Diriyah was an interesting development, it was true that my father traces his roots to their house but from what I knew those ties were faint and tenuous at best.


    "Princess Halimah, Your Royal Highness," I curtsied for her, and she returned the greeting in kind. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"


    "The pleasure is all mine." She smiled at me. "I simply came to give you and your family my well-wishes on your return to prominence."


    "The well-wishes of an esteemed lady are appreciated greatly." I bowed my head. "Especially those of the heir apparent to the Diriyah throne."


    "No need to be so formal, your father was a beloved and esteemed member of House Al-Anbar. After the loss of our beloved kin in Carolingien, it would be remiss of me to not give our good wishes to his daughter and heir apparent to the Justinians."


    "Heir apparent... You flatter me, Your Royal Highness." I smiled, lightly brushing aside her comment. I glanced aside at the door, where many servants were waiting to accommodate the family. "If it is alright with you, I shall take my leave. I have had a long journey and desire to retire to my new quarters."


    "Of course, I look forward to speaking with you some more," She smiled as we curtsied at each other and went our way. As soon as I turned, my smile immediately wore off.


    Hmph, "heir apparent to the Justinians", how presumptuous. Under conventional rules of succession, she might have been correct. My mother was the eldest child of the family, meaning I was the closest to the hypothetical throne. But there was no crown, and therefore no divine right that validated the line of succession, which meant that the power to rule over the Justinians would not come so easily to those who theoretically had a stronger claim to it. The politics surrounding this was... complex. Halimah''s vocal support would hopefully prove to be useful someday.


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    I approached the grand noble estate, noticing the grandeur of the structure. Nearby servants offered to take my luggage, and together we navigated the vast land. The estate is sprawling, with expansive grounds that seem to stretch on for miles. I walked up the cobblestone path leading to the main entrance, surrounded by lush greenery and beautifully manicured gardens, each one more vibrant and colorful than the last.


    The estate itself was a sight to behold. The building was a magnificent blend of architecture from a bygone age, with towering columns and ornate stone carvings that seem to reach up to the heavens. The entrance was adorned with massive wooden doors, intricately carved with delicate designs that told a story of the estate''s rich history.


    As I stepped through the doors, I was greeted by the warm glow of flickering candles and the gentle scent of freshly cut flowers. The interior of the estate was as grand as I remembered, if not grander. The walls are lined with exquisite paintings and tapestries, each one telling a unique story of the estate''s illustrious past.


    I walked through the estate, escorted by two servants, who guided me toward my quarters. As soon as I immediately recognized the placement "This was where my mother''s room used to be."


    "Duke Aurelius spared no expense in ensuring his sister''s quarters remained as it was for her eventual return, it was only fair for him to let you have it."


    I opened the door and walked inside, taking in everything as I gazed around the room. The furniture was ornate and meticulously crafted, the fabrics rich and sumptuous to the touch. Every detail has been carefully considered, from the intricately patterned carpets to the sparkling chandeliers that hang from the ceiling. These details by themselves were unremarkable and instead reflected the painstaking detail that the builders went through to replicate this place. The servant certainly was not exaggerating.


    "Alright then, you may both take your leave, I desire to rest for the day."


    "Of course milady. Before we take our leave, we must remind you, your uncle has organized an evening reception for the family and its guests, will you be attending?"


    "Yes, I will." I nodded at them, and they bowed and left the room. I immediately moved to lock the door and close the curtains before unpacking my luggage. I left the clothes folded on my bed for the servants to place in my closet, and left other essentials to be organized eventually. I then reached my hand into a hidden compartment, pulling out a wig, glasses, and a maid''s uniform.


    I glanced around before entering the privacy of my changing room. I gazed at my reflectioninn the full-body mirror. My profile was that of a young noblewoman with intricately styled lavender hair, and dark, unblemished skin, wearing a finely tailored dress. I had to change that if I were to leave the mansion without inviting attention or suspicion.


    First, the wig. My hair and its color were easily the most recognizable part of my appearance and would give my identity away even in the most immaculate of disguises. Wearing it over my head, I carefully tucked my hair under it until no traces of it showed. Examining my profile closely, I deemed it well-crafted enough to escape scrutiny.


    The rest of the steps were fairly straightforward. I removed my clothing, carefully folding and placing each piece of clothing and folding it neatly on a nearby chair, and putting my accessories into a jewelry box.


    Then, I took up the uniform and began to dress. The fabric was rough to the touch, but I had worn far worse. I buttoned up the front of the dress, fastening each button with care. Next, I tied the apron around my waist, making sure it was straight and neat. Finally, I secured the cap over my hair, tucking any stray strands inside.


    As I finished dressing, I surveyed myself in the mirror once more. This was satisfactory enough to at least allow me to leave the mansion''s premises. I took a deep breath before leaving the changing room, rummaging through my luggage again and throwing a few more pieces of clothing from the hidden compartment into a nearby clothes hamper. I picked up the clothes hamper and stepped out of my quarters. The halls outside were empty, as all the other arriving nobles were likely still touring the rest of the estate. I checked my watch, and it was about to turn noon. I locked my door and left a note that I was sleeping hanging to deter any of the house help from attempting to enter.


    Though this was my first time being in the manor, I had access to many maps and architectural plans that gave a layout of the entire estate. The laundry was due to be picked up by a specialized service at noon at the back of the central manor, though this was only for clothes belonging to the nobility. Commoners were expected to wash their own on their own time, so no one was going to suspect anything from a maid leaving the house with a hamper in her hands. Security screened my cargo and found no issues. Soon, I eventually made it outside of the estate premises and into the city proper.


    Stepping into a cleaning service, I placed the hamper down and pulled out the pieces of clothing I threw in there prior. Leaving the hamper behind, I discreetly entered a nearby comfort room. The pieces of clothing were in fact, veils intended to cover the wearer''s face.


    The veil I chose to wear was black, and it felt soft as I draped it over my head. It covered my entire face, except for my eyes, which were still visible. I adjusted the veil and tightened it before leaving the comfort room and the launderette. I walked until I came upon a streetside eatery that served ramen. Walking towards it, I sat on one of its high chairs, next to a dark man in a brown trenchcoat. He was eating his noodles with clear relish as my sudden presence did not seem to alarm him.


    Without looking, he took out an envelope from his coat pocket and handed them to me.


    "Here are the files on every Justinian as requested. Hope you appreciate it because getting it was neither cheap nor easy."


    "I very much do," I replied while staring at the folder. "Any information is appreciated when your task is to undermine a whole dynasty."

 Tracing the Blood Line

    The evening reception was in full swing. I stood idly, dressed in an attire that befitted my status and the grandeur of the occasion. My gown was made of the finest silk, with delicate embroidery and intricate beadwork that sparkled even under the starlight of the moonless night. The deep shade of Amethyst was a choice of tradition but also a method of identifying persons of interest in a crowd. Traditionally, only powerful members of the family wore any shade of purple, to evoke the image of emperors from bygone ages. With no ruling head, a person wearing purple can be interpreted as a subtle challenge to one''s play for the seat of power.


    And just as I had hoped, many eyes were on me as I gracefully descended into the garden. Some held expressions of awe and intrigue, and others ignored me, but I was looking for more unique reactions. My eye glanced at one of them, who gave me a nasty side-eye before she continued to smoke from her wooden pipe.


    "Mary Caracalla Justina." The words of my informant rang in my head.


    "The eldest cousin, daughter of my aunt Elisa." I recounted. She is a reclusive but effective businesswoman. A big part of why our wealth remained untouched after the devastating arson attack was in part due to her rigorous efforts to diversify our assets overseas. However, there are rumors that these assets are being invested in the black market and illicit substance trading, which has put the family under much scrutiny by many international organizations. Rumor has it that her relatively emaciated appearance came as a result of her own indulgence in such substances. The pure revenue Mary brought to the family barely outweighs the legal woes it has brought the family, and makes her a strong contender for the leading position in the family.


    As I scanned the room, my eyes landed on a noble who was currently chatting up a woman who seemed to have little interest in him. I noticed his faint glance in my direction before he continued his advances on his lady friend.


    "Isaac Lucius Justinian."


    He is far from the effective and productive entrepreneur his sister was, but he makes up for it with pure physical prowess. Having participated in international fighting competitions, Isaac revived a fascination with noble sports. His ventures into physical activities have helped cultivate a white-washed and lofty view of nobility through the practice of sport. Despite being depicted as clever, charismatic, and lovable by the media, Isaac was incredibly stupid. He has been dragged through the mud many times before falling for paltry scams, gambling his money away, and embezzling it on numerous mistresses who did not even want him. His power lay purely in his public image, which wasn''t difficult to destroy given he actively sabotages it all the time. Yet despite all his scandals, he still stands and charismatic morons have found themselves in places of power, so Isaac should not be underestimated.


    I glanced at another one, who stood at the center of a group of noblewomen, exuding a sense of divine air that was hard to miss, in a flowing unstained white dress with a simple silver pendant around her neck. Her congregation of noblewomen hung on her every word as she spoke about the virtues of humility and compassion. Despite the noise and bustle of the party, it seemed as though a hush fell over the room whenever Sabine spoke. It was hard to deny the effect that her presence had on those around her.


    "Sabine Agrippa Justina."


    The traditional Vestal of the family. She was referred to as the purifying light of the Justinians, a moral beacon in a fog of corruption and hedonism. Her sermons dedicated to the old ancestral gods of the family and her gestures of friendship towards the Church of Orius have made her a saint among the populace. With her incredibly involved approach to helping the marginalized and her naturally divine appearance, many claimed her to be a Goddess Incarnate, whose purity would wash away the filth of poverty and suffering from Sternan. Naturally, those claims are hysterical enough to be rationally dismissed yet powerful enough to make her a strong contender for the seat of the family head.


    Three pioneers. Three family members with a stronger footing than mine. To surpass them, I would need to be able to effectively use everything in my arsenal. I would need to prove myself to be enterprising enough to preserve the wealth our family proudly flaunted, be charismatic enough to be loved not only by my family members but the common people outside of our social circles, and lastly, prove myself pure enough to represent the higher and sought-after ideals of nobility. Each would need its own careful execution, and I would also need to dispose of them sooner or later once I completely supplant them from their positions.


    "So, these are all of the people you could gather information on?" I asked, slipping the files back into the folder.


    "The ones you need to watch out for, anyway. Everyone obviously wants a piece of what you''re trying to get, and new rivals will emerge from the shadows to make a play if they think the winds are blowing right." My informant shrugged before taking a gulp of his glass of dry stout. "When that time comes, I''ll make sure to give you the file on any new rivals."


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    I raised an eyebrow. The offer was generous, too generous in fact. He was willingly giving me these files with no sense of urgency or secrecy. There had to be some sort of catch to this, or strings attached. I slid the envelope to him, only for him to stop it in its tracks.


    "Keep it, I don''t have any use for it now."


    "And how am I supposed to know if I have any use for it?" I countered. He looked uncomfortable at the insinuation.


    "Trust me, it''s good and reliable information, and completely free."


    "You know that''s exactly why I''m suspicious of it. What''s your play here?" I narrowed my eyes at the informant.


    "I have a personal stake in this, is all. I will reap my rewards from this soon, there aren''t any strings attached to this."


    "And how am I truly sure there is?"


    "Just take me at my word. You verified it yourself, didn''t you? It''s none of my business if you don''t believe me." He shrugged, removing his hand from the envelope and returning to eating his noodles. I stared at him, perplexed by his behavior. Regardless, I took him at his word and accepted the envelope, tucking it in my coat pocket, leaving as the street grew denser with countless people slowly pouring out of their workplaces.


    There was something about that informant that I could scarcely understand, even as someone trained in espionage. When he had first approached me, I expected it to be an obvious attempt to swindle me, but the information had turned out to be of verifiably high quality, too high quality for the kind of informant I assumed him to be. Further background checks did not yield anything that might explain this discrepancy.


    But I could not afford to let those details distract me. My mission was to focus on taking over my family, whatever the informant was hiding could wait until then. I glanced aside to see the ritual fire burning atop the towering cathedral of Orius, the flickering flame bringing back memories of that destructive blaze.


    I could scarcely remember anything from that night. My mind becomes a blur whenever I try and remember the details. The only thing I could vividly picture was the man who destroyed everything. Not his figure, or his face, but his eyes, his impassioned, hate-filled eyes stared deep into me before he disappeared into the fire.


    The eyes of that informant were dull and lifeless but I was sure they were the same ones that glared at me hatefully that fateful night.


    "Elara?"


    I had been snapped out of my own thoughts, and a voice brought me back from reality. I was staring into space at the reception with a whiskey glass in hand. I turn towards whoever called me, seeing an older man staring down at me kindly. I had been so caught up assessing my rivals that I had forgotten who had been in charge.


    "Lord Gillian Aurelian Justinian."


    When my family was still alive, he was mostly unremarkable and overshadowed by his older siblings. He was off finishing his studies when the blaze consumed everything. He stepped into my grandfather''s shoes and did his best to rebuild everything, preserving the wealth and prestige of the family through masterful manipulation of our assets with his niece Mary. Though initially ignored, he turned out to be a man of charisma and integrity, a beacon that the family could rally behind after the arson attack put them in disarray.


    He was still relatively young and healthy, so one may wonder why the position of family head was even a topic of debate. Lord Gillian lacked ambition of all things, and only ever sought to preserve the family out of obligation rather than any desire to hold power. My mother described him as sweet and simplistic, and I suppose that part of him had not changed after all these years. Still, strange for him to approach me of all people, especially considering many who visited had been seeking an audience with him.


    "Yes, Lord Gillian?" I asked, bowing out of courtesy, though he immediately chided my show of respect.


    "None of that, Elara, we are family, remember? You are the sole blood and flesh of my eldest sibling, if anything I must show you that courtesy."


    "You flatter me, uncle. I am attending this reception with nothing to my name, surely I cannot demand such things from the current head of the family!"


    "Ah, it is merely a responsibility I assumed by default. Had your mother or any other of our siblings survived, I would have gladly thrown this burden onto them!" He laughed heartily. "Now, onto important matters, are you enjoying the party?"


    "Quite, the food and beverages have been nothing but exquisite," I said, raising a glass. "Certainly better than what I was accustomed to at the convent."


    "Yes, quite. I wanted to ensure that all our family members from across the globe feel welcome, of course. Reuniting after that tragic night was not going to be easy, and all those years apart certainly have cultivated our differences, but at the end of the day, but we are united as the noble children of the Winter Nymph." He cheered, raising a glass.


    "Ah yes, of course, glory to the Nymph of Winter and all her children. I certainly feel welcome, uncle." I smiled.


    "Good, I will ensure your stay here is safe and secure. It is the least I can do for my beloved late sister." Uncle Gillian bowed his head and quietly uttered his respects. "Now I must go and entertain the other guests, but do call me if you need anything!"


    I curtsied to him as he left. I returned to my seat and examined the crystalline statues that were placed around the garden. They were all devoted to our family ancestress, the Winter Nymph... So much weight behind that title. To the family, it was a sign of pride and proof of their noble heritage, but I only saw horror. Every prestigious name had its skeletons in the closet, and the children of the Winter Nymph were no different. My mother knew this and imparted this forbidden knowledge to me. Thinking about the complex and terrible history of the family and what it had done with its limitless power during its prime, it was no wonder so many desired our demise.


    It was only a matter of time until one succeeded.

 Coming Celebrations

    I sat in front of the vanity mirror, watching as the servant brushes my hair. It was a tedious and often uncomfortable process that I would rather do myself, but I needed to keep up appearances in front of my servants. As she worked, she began to fill me in on reminders.


    "Miss Elara, your birthday is already in a few months," the servant said, her voice gentle.


    I smiled and nodded, acknowledging the reminder. "Yes, I''m aware," I replied, glancing at her through the reflection in the mirror.


    "Good, because your uncle wanted to celebrate in your honor. He was thinking of a preliminary celebration before a grand ball. The preliminary festival will mark a week-long celebration of your birthday, with your actual birthday acting as the grand finale of the festivities!" The maid said so excitedly that I could not hope to match her tone.


    "How very like him to celebrate so extravagantly," I remarked amusedly. "I do not object, although I am curious what he desires to celebrate so excessively."


    "...Do you not know, milady? You are coming of age. That is obviously something to celebrate, your mother had a similarly grand celebration when she was your age! So many princesses and princes from far away visited her to give her their well-wishes. It is only fair that you receive the same treatment."


    "Many royals...?" I asked, I knew my mother was important but I did not know her connections reached so far. Aristocrats kept connections worldwide due to blood relations and a mutual desire to maintain power, but still, many monarchs visiting a measly party sounded hard to believe.


    "And you, Lady Elara, I''m sure you seek to follow your mother''s footsteps in gracing others with your presence?"


    I froze at the suggestion as I realized this celebration would be a more tremendous hassle than I anticipated. I was still the daughter of the eldest, I needed high-profile guests to make a good impression and increase my credibility. I slightly regretted my glacial treatment of Halimah, given that she would be a vital guest to have in this situation. Regardless, now was not the time for worrying but for planning. I had scheduled another appointment with my informant, this time at the local park.


    It was difficult to move with so many servants about, but I simply stated my intention to wander the estate unaccompanied. This provided the perfect slip for me to leave and arrive in downtown Sternanborough. I kept my veil on tightly as I navigated the crowd before finding the park entrance, immediately seeing my informant sitting by the playground. I casually approached and sat a few feet away from him. He then brought out another envelope from his coat and handed it to me.


    "Sources from Isaac''s inner circle are buzzing with news and rumors about a rivalry between him and a certain Free Guard official, which is possibly culminating in him organizing a sports event to settle it."


    "Let me guess, is it the Heretoch herself?" I asked, taking a peek at the file from the envelope. He nodded.


    Blaire Hilde, Heretoch of the Free Guard. Heretoch during the olden days was a title akin to a general or army commander but is now used as a formality for young officers appointed as direct assistants to the Free Guard Chief of Staff. Blaire is described as friendly and down-to-earth. The decision was described as controversial due to her age and inexperience but the move paid off in public relations and caused the public to view the Free Guard more positively. Furthermore, she is described as incredibly industrious and eager to learn, which only bolstered her credibility as a reliable aide to the Chief of Staff.


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    Her appeal to the public is largely carried by her pleasant personality and her incredible swordplay. Her impressive fencing record has made her something of a celebrity among fencing enthusiasts, and many fan clubs have been established in admiration of her. Despite this, she remains humble and genuine, an admirable trait to have given most other people would let such power corrupt them.


    She remains steadfast and loyal to the Free Guard and follows orders as instructed. This kind of reputation was bound to clash with Isaac''s, and there have been whispers of the Heretoch surpassing Isaac, something he will not take lying down. If there was any chance to outshine him in the realm of sport, then it would have to involve her. With that in mind, I was already concocting a plan to make contact with her, and the informant could discern my intentions from the expression on my face.


    "...What are you thinking about?"


    I was wary of letting him know, yet I had to consider the off-chance of him being able to help me with this so I decided to be honest.


    "Well, sir..." I paused, realizing I never asked for his name.


    "Liam, just call me Liam."


    "I am simply pondering a way I could reach out to the Heretoch."


    "Why?"


    "Well, given the likelihood of this event, I would like to see her in action and gauge the heights I''d need to achieve and excel in the event."


    "Well, I have her phone number." He responded plainly, much to my shock.


    "Would it be possible to ask if she has the time? It''s a big thing to ask of you but given you''ve delivered well so far..." I paused, but Liam already brought out his pager to type a message.


    "Sure, I''ll text her and see if she has the time."


    "You''re serious?" I asked, surprised he even knew her on a texting basis given the gap in their rank. Based on my background check, Liam was only a freshly promoted captain of the Free Guard, so his lax attitude toward contacting her was strange.


    "Under normal circumstances, I don''t fraternize with anyone above my rank but Blaire''s circumstances are special. I used to be her superior officer for a time before she was appointed as Heretoch, and after she assumed those duties, our relationship became more relaxed."


    "So do you think she has the time to discuss some things with me?"


    "I would say more than enough time. She sounds really excited to meet you." Liam said, still sending messages to the Heretoch. His choice of words unnerved me greatly as it seemed like he was framing it as some sort of informal meetup between friends.


    "Ergh..." I grunted uncomfortably. "I was hoping for a more... professional discussion instead of pointless fraternizing?"


    Liam then looked at me with a face sterner than his usual scowl.


    "I will let you in on a little secret. If you are planning to converse with Blaire from a purely business approach outside of her office hours, you''ve lost her already. But come to her with a chance for connection and she will open herself to you quite easily. You said you needed to meet her on short notice, yes? This is the shortest notice you''ll get."


    I breathed out a defeated sigh and let him go ahead. He put the phone to his ear and started speaking:


    "Hello, Blaire? Are you free sometime after work? Yeah? Good, let''s eat someplace nice this time, I''m paying. I know you''ll like her. Alright, sounds like a plan then. Bye." Liam said over the phone before closing it and glancing at Elara. "Alright, we''ll be meeting her a few days from now. It''ll be someplace nice so you don''t need to hide your identity. I hope you''re ready."


    I only stared at him with subdued bewilderment.


    "...Who are you to know the Heretoch so casually?"


    "I don''t seek people out, it just so happened that we became friends. I''m friends with Blaire, not the Heretoch." He shrugged.


    Right, friends. I still had that other issue of having no one to invite to my birthday. No one of adequate standing, anyway. Strangely enough, Liam seemed to sense my distress again as he asked me what was wrong.


    "My birthday is approaching, and I only realized now that it was the opportunity to put my influence on display with my guest list."


    "You''re still young, and given your background, I''d be surprised if you had any at all."


    "Regardless, my mother had guests of great prestige, and though I hold little vanity, it would still be the pragmatic course of action to try and make the most of this opportunity. My mission has always been to take over the family on behalf of the people of Sternan, and I will not allow this opportunity to go to waste."


    He stared at me, his expression unreadable before he sighed.


    "I''ll see what I can do."


    I tipped my head at him, completely puzzled by his response. I did not even make a request yet he immediately obliged. Before I could even begin to question his motives, he stood up and walked away, leaving me confused as always.

 Preparations for Supper

    The rain tapped against the windowpane, creating a soothing rhythm as Liam sat at his study desk, surrounded by stacks of unfinished yet nearly complete paperwork. He glanced at the antique clock on the wall, its hands slowly ticking away the hours. Time seemed to stand still in the solitude of his thoughts.


    The room was dimly lit, with a soft glow emanating from the desk lamp, casting a warm hue upon his face. With a deep breath, he reached for his phone, dialed a number, and held it to his ear. The sound of the ringing filled the room, amplifying the tension that hung in the air.


    After a few moments, Marcel''s voice crackled through the line, breaking the silence. "Liam, what''s going on? It''s late."


    Liam only sighed as he responded, "Marcel, I need your help. Look, remember how you said you owed me one for helping you? I want to call that favor in now."


    There was only a pause on the other side followed by a deep sigh of obvious reluctance. "...Alright, hit me."


    "You are aware of the Justinians?"


    "Yes, I maintain some connections with them as a former duke, but nothing too deep. You want me to cut ties with them?"


    "No, there''s one of them named Elara. She''s about to have her coming-of-age celebration soon and is fretting about guests for this special occasion. She needs some folks with clout over there, and I told her I''d help her get some influential people to attend. You''re a powerful member of the new age elite of Carolingien, whose influence and fame reach far beyond the borders of your nation, you being there would help her a lot."


    Liam only received a pause of contemplation.


    "...Liam, I said that I''d return the favor for helping my family but... this is a strangely specific and mundane request to make." Marcel voiced over the phone. "What''s your play here?"


    "Elara is about to host her first masquerade ball, and I am aware that she needs a few high-profile guests to make a good impression on the family. I asked some others to come too."


    "Alright, I have some affairs I need to settle over in Sternan anyway, but can I at least know why I am helping boost the reputation of this specific Justinian?"


    Liam sighed, palming his face.


    "Do you remember what I told you about the night of the fire? What I saw that made me leave?"


    "Oh... Oh fuck." Marcel expressed over the phone. "...Have you told her yet?"


    "Not yet. I''m planning to soon, but maybe after this whole family feud blows over."


    "And wait until she''s in a much better position to screw you over?" Marcel expressed with obvious skepticism. "Liam, this isn''t something to treat lightly. Knowing what I''d do, you need to watch yourself around her."


    "Whatever happens to me is what I deserve," Liam responded resolutely, a pause taking over. "...Now, here''s the invitation to Elara''s birthday ball."


    "...Alright, I''ll consider it but you better not go and do something reckless. Regardless of what you might think, a lot of people still need you."


    "Alright," Liam hung up and looked at the clock. It was almost past midnight. He sighed and returned to working with the paperwork at his desk.


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    The morning sunlight streamed through the gossamer curtains, gently coaxing me from my slumber. Scratching my eyes, I sat up, the radiant sun blinding my bagged eyes. The familiar surroundings of my opulent bedroom greeted me. A knock resonated from the door, announcing the arrival of my attendant, one of the devoted servants in our household. She entered with a graceful bow, her eyes filled with warmth and respect.


    "Good morning, Lady Elara. May I assist you?" she inquired, her voice as gentle as always.


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    I nodded, a forced smile tugging at the corners of my lips. "Yes, please, Sarah. Prepare my bath and lay out my attire for the day."


    Sarah moved with silent efficiency, attending to my request. As she drew the bathwater, infused with the intoxicating fragrance of rose petals, I rose from my bed, adjusting the luxurious silk robes that wrapped my body. I approached the intricately carved vanity mirror, my eyes meeting my reflection. It was just another day of countless tasks ahead. There was the matter of meeting the Heretoch later for dinner and then handling matters surrounding my coming-of-age celebrations. So many crucial tasks to fulfill on behalf of my mission with little room for error.


    My contemplation caused me to stare blankly into the mirror, and in that moment I looked into my empty and lifeless eyes and snapped out of my trance. Evident aloofness would be counterproductive to fulfilling my task, and I immediately put on the smile that I wore at most functions.


    Meanwhile, Sarah carefully arranged an array of brushes and cosmetics, poised to enhance my natural beauty. She worked her magic, her skilled hands weaving delicate braids and adorning them with precious pearls. With every stroke, she brought forth a vision of elegance, sculpting my hair into a work of art.


    As the grooming ritual neared its completion, Sarah stepped back, her eyes filled with satisfaction. She handed me a small, sealed envelope, the wax stamp bearing the insignia of my father''s family. I tipped my head as I received it. It was a letter stamped with the mark of the Diriyah Royal Family. Possibly a letter from my cousin, Princess Halimah.


    I opened it carefully and read through the letter, the revelations of its contents making me raise an eyebrow.


    Dear Lady Elara,


    It has come to my attention that you are coming of age soon, which is wonderful news to hear, as I am inviting you to Diriyah to claim your birthright left behind by your late father. As a loyal trustee of your inheritance, I am excited to render unto you what is rightfully yours with Diriyah''s courts as our witness.


    So the letter revealed an inheritance left behind by my late father in Diriyah. He died before I could ever see him, so I''m surprised that much was even left for me in the first place. This seemed urgent, however, and I would have to set a date for a flight. A smaller part of me was suspicious about this inheritance and whether it was truly wise to go to Diriyah unattended. I will need to give this journey a little more thought. I still had time before I needed to claim whatever I needed to claim, so might as well focus on the immediate matters first.


    The phone on my desk rang, I picked it up.


    "Residence of the most esteemed Justinians, Elara speaking," I answered.


    "Elara, it''s me Liam, I''m just calling to see if you''re good for later''s dinner," Liam said.


    "Why wouldn''t I be?" I asked.


    "I''m just checking, you are a busy woman after all."


    "I carefully schedule matters to make accommodations for occasions like this. They are too important to miss, especially matters surrounding meeting the Heretoch."


    "Right then, just making sure. My superior grilled my arse for connecting the both of you, so I also wanted to ask for your formal reassurance that you will not be attempting to influence Sternan military matters as a matter of national security."


    "Alright, I can give those assurances. Do you need it in writing?" I asked.


    "Yes, just hand it over to me when we meet."


    I was just about to hang up when I was reminded of my letter. It was perhaps a stretch, but Liam''s intelligence resources could help me with this inheritance. If he could gather a profile of my relatives, perhaps he could look into my father and his property records. I bit the bullet and made the request.


    "If you do not mind, can we also discuss something after dinner? I have something I want to speak with you about."


    "Er, sure? Mind telling me what it is about?"


    "I''ll show you afterward, it''s too risky discussing it in the open and while we''re on official business, for both our benefit," I replied.


    "Right, then. See you later."


    I hung up on the phone before leaving the room. Today was a rather dull day at the estate, most of the others were off engaging in diplomacy or public relations campaigns. Being the youngest and unengaged in family matters, most of my days were spent in the manor''s library, where I frequently conducted my research on either our vast collection of books or using our home device to connect to the network and look up various information. I planned to do research on the Heretoch in preparation for our dinner together while waiting for our scheduled dinner, as well as look into Diriyah''s political landscape to see what I was walking into claiming my inheritance.


    As I walked through our halls, I ran into my uncle, Lord Gillian. I gave him a courteous bow and he gave me a gentle smile in response.


    "Ah, Elara. Are you headed towards the library as usual?"


    "Yes, milord," I responded.


    "No need to be so formal, I''m your uncle. I have been informed that you have reserved a chauffeur for later, may I ask why?"


    "A dinner with some officials I met, mere socializing, uncle," I answered.


    "I see, well, it is good for you to be so active in engaging with the public at such a young age. You''re a lot like your mother in that regard. Hopefully, your friends will be as valuable to you as hers were to her." He chuckled. "I will not keep you here any longer, I have matters I must attend to."


    "Alright, farewell uncle," I said before walking past him. It was obvious he was fond of my mother, but I could hardly tell what he was thinking. Even now, I could not determine his status as a potential opponent or ally. The more I hide from him, the more I question if he already knows everything.