The kingdom looked calm on the surface—but under the silk, it bled.
Seraphina sat at her desk in Blackspire Keep's war room, flipping through the Black Ledger. Each name glowed faintly with a color: green for loyalty, yellow for caution, red for betrayal.
But one name blinked gold.
Lord Tyran Velcroft.
Noble. Young. Vain. Newly appointed royal ambassador to the east. And, most importantly, desperate for status.
She smiled.
"He'll do nicely."
---
> Quest Initiated: Operation Crownfall – Step 1: Turn the Ambassador
Objective: Flip Lord Tyran to Kaelrith's cause using manipulation or blackmail.
Reward: Access to inner court secrets and military movements.
---
Kaelrith entered the room silently, wearing black as always. "You found your piece."
"He's more like a pawn," she said, standing. "But even pawns can topple kings."
"I assume you want to see him alone."
"He thinks I'm harmless. Pretty. Disgraced. Let's not ruin his fantasy just yet."
Kaelrith gave her a look—half-warning, half-pride. "You've changed."
She approached him, eyes cold. "No, Kaelrith. I've remembered who I am."
---
The meeting was held in a private parlor at an inn near the capital's edge. Tyran Velcroft arrived draped in gold embroidery, his hair styled to perfection. He bowed low when he saw her.
"Lady Seraphina. I confess I never expected a personal invitation from someone of your… charm."
She smiled demurely. "Flattery from a royal envoy? You're bolder than the rumors suggest."
He grinned, taking her hand. "I'm also smarter."
"Then let me offer you a chance to prove it."
She poured two glasses of wine. One laced with Truthblight, a subtle serum from her new Shadow Council contacts. Enough to loosen the tongue, not raise alarms.
He drank without hesitation.
---
> Skill Activated: Political Seduction Lv.1
Temporary charisma increase. Deceive or distract one target during a dialogue.
---
"Tyran," she said smoothly, "how loyal are you to the Crown?"
He chuckled. "Loyal enough to wear their colors. Disloyal enough to want more than they offer."
"Good," she said, voice velvet-wrapped steel. "Because I'm offering more."
He raised an eyebrow. "You want me to betray Prince Caelan?"
"No. I want you to delay his war."
"Delay how?"
"Slow his reports. Misfile documents. Leak just enough misinformation to sow doubt among his generals."
He laughed—then froze when she placed a sealed document on the table.
"What's this?"
"Proof that you sold a cursed relic to House Brenwyn three years ago. Illegal. And fatal."
He paled.
"You wouldn't…"
"I won't," she said, sipping her wine. "As long as you obey."
---
> Mission Update: Lord Tyran Turned
Status: Loyal (Conditional)
Court Military Intel Access Unlocked
---
Tyran looked at her like a man who had just realized the wine he drank was poison and the woman smiling across from him held the only antidote.
"You're not who they say you are," he whispered.
"No," Seraphina said. "I'm worse."
---
That night, she returned to Kaelrith's study. He sat by the fire, reading old scrolls in languages few remembered.
"It's done," she said, dropping Tyran's signet ring into his palm.
"You seduced him?"
"No. I broke him. Fear lasts longer than love."
Kaelrith looked at her like he was seeing her for the first time all over again.
"You were always meant for this."
She walked to him slowly, placing her hand over his heart.
"So were you."
---
> System Alert: Operation Crownfall – Progress: 1/5 Targets Flipped
Next Target Unlocked: The Queen's Handmaiden – Lia of the Larkhall
Secondary Reward: Romance Path Level Up (Kaelrith: 68 → 74)