The Grand Atrium of House Vaelthorn had not seen a gathering this opulent in decades.
Golden banners fluttered from crystal chandeliers, arcane braziers floated mid-air, casting soft light upon the noble guests. Rows of silver-lined tables curved through the space, filled with wine that shimmered with enchantment and delicacies hunted from the highlands of Vaelthorn's northern forests.
It was a celebration—on the surface.
The official reason: a successful maiden deployment of the Lion's Teeth.
The true reason: bait.
Kael stood at the top of the staircase in a formal black uniform with silver trim, a crimson sash across his chest. He looked every bit the noble son, every bit the calm, respected heir.
But beneath his cool expression, a blade of calculation waited.
"Lord Gennard will be here," Thessa whispered beside him.
"Of course he will," Kael said. "He'll think he's won. Or that we know nothing."
Lyra approached, dressed in deep violet robes laced with soft metal threads—an elegant gown made for a shadow.
"We've hidden ten Lion's Teeth among the guests. Five more wait in the east wing. If Gennard runs, we close every exit."
"And if he doesn't run?" Kael asked.
Lyra gave a thin smile. "Then we'll give him a reason."
---
Among the Nobles
Lord Gennard arrived precisely an hour past sunset, in a fur-lined coat and a wine-colored tunic. He smiled at everyone. He bowed to Kael. He praised the Lion's Teeth.
And Kael let him.
For now.
The other council members stood gathered in little circles, some quietly watching Kael with wary eyes, others drinking too much too quickly.
As Kael moved through the gathering, offering nods and clipped greetings, a familiar figure intercepted him.
Elira.
She was dressed as royalty should be—simple, regal, untouchable.
"Still playing warlord, Lord Vaelthorn?" she said with a teasing smile.
Kael didn't smile back. "Better than playing princess when the empire's already burning."
Her smirk faded slightly.
"Elira," he said, voice lowering. "Leave by midnight. Do not attend the council tomorrow."
She raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
Kael glanced briefly toward Gennard across the room.
"Because tomorrow, someone bleeds."
---
The Strike
Just before the closing toast, Kael raised his goblet.
The entire hall turned.
"To House Vaelthorn's future," he said smoothly, "and to those who've dared to threaten it from within."
A hush fell over the hall.
Kael turned, lifted his hand—
—and a folded letter dropped onto the table before Lord Gennard.
"Recognize your handwriting?" Kael asked, voice carrying through the silence.
Gennard's expression didn't change.
"This," Kael continued, "was recovered from the northern watchtower. A sealed missive bearing the sigil of the Velcras Circle. Author: Lord Gennard Vaelthorn."
The hall erupted in gasps.
Gennard stood.
"That's a forgery."
"Then you won't mind being searched."
Before Gennard could respond, two Lion's Teeth stepped forward and pulled aside his coat.
From his inner pocket, one of them retrieved a rune-sealed coin marked with the exact same sigil as the letter.
Now Gennard's smile cracked.
"You little bastard," he hissed.
Kael's voice was like ice. "You tried to kill me. You endangered our house. You sold information to enemies."
Gennard's hand reached for something inside his belt—
—but Kael moved first.
With a flick of his wrist, the dagger—his father's—appeared in his hand and stabbed into the table, pinning Gennard's hand just short of the concealed blade he had hidden.
"I should kill you now," Kael said, leaning in. "But I want the rest of them to see what happens when they hide behind masks."
He turned.
"Strip him of title. Bind his mana. Tomorrow, he faces judgment before the council."
The guards seized Gennard, now red-faced, struggling and cursing.
And as they dragged him away, Kael spoke one last word—
"Traitor."
---
After the Gathering
That night, the halls of the estate were deathly quiet.
The nobles had seen it now—Kael wasn't a figurehead.
He was no puppet prince.
He had drawn blood, in the open, and walked away clean.
In his chamber, Kael sat at his desk, the black dagger back in his hand. It pulsed faintly, humming with residual energy.
Rin entered quietly.
"It's done?" she asked.
Kael nodded. "The house saw him fall. That was the point."
"What about the others? Gennard wasn't alone."
"No," Kael said, eyes narrowing. "He was only the first."
He turned to a sheet of parchment with a list of names.
Three already had red crosses.
Six more had question marks.
And one—marked only by an ancient rune he couldn't yet decipher—sat at the bottom, circled.
Lyra entered, closing the door behind her.
"The Velcras Circle will retaliate," she said.
"I know," Kael murmured. "Let them."
He looked out the window toward the distant hills.
"We'll be ready."
---
End of Chapter 58