In those days when the gray clouds refused to clear the sky and the winds lashed throughout the kingdom, the streets and shops were overcrowded with people of all social classes due to the announcement of the most anticipated celebration of the year: the birthday of His Majesty, the King.
The season known to be most beneficial for the Bathory family began at the start of the fourth season, as they were the only ones capable of providing eccentricities and luxuries to the nobles who wished to stand out on such an important night.
Neil had practically vanished from the rest of the world. He took advantage of the convenience of the festive days, especially being a man who needed to hide so many things. Not even Liam tried to bother him when business depended entirely on him. It was a perfect opportunity to divert the attention of Wilhem and the men dedicated to monitoring his movements off-duty. Meeting the red-haired Marquise was much simpler during the winter.
—The King must be utterly desperate if he wishes to turn his birthday party into the start of an internal struggle within the palace.
Lathasha Zehren observed the ostentatious invitation that had been delivered to her by Neil Bathory's own hand. That task normally belonged to the royal couriers, but the court's most important advisor had taken the errand as an excuse to visit the mansion in secret. The envelope, decorated with luxurious stones and golden ink, announced not only the celebration of the monarch's birthday but also the appointment of his youngest son as Crown Prince, as had been decided years ago.
Neil remained leaning against the wall at the back of the room, as if wishing for the shadows of the curtains to hide him. Although the surroundings were deserted, he continued to be discreet.
—Choosing the younger son instead of the elder will clearly divide the aristocracy —Lathasha continued—. I am sure many wish to know what stance the Bathory family will take.
Neil smiled calmly. After all, that entire coronation theater had been proposed... and carefully manipulated by himself.
—Are you laughing at the disaster you've provoked? —the Marquise said ironically—. You are a true monster.
—Honorable Marquise —he responded serenely—, the path of a King's heir is always tumultuous and fierce. The weaker he is, the faster he will be devoured by his opponents. In this case, the Crown Prince's protector should be a monster capable of keeping his enemies at bay.
Lathasha knew the old King's plans perfectly. The monarch was preparing a safe path for his successor, and Neil had received the decree to ensure a solid and prosperous reign for the heir. Was that not, after all, the reason for the candidates' existence? Still, the court Neil intended to build around the future King seemed fragile to her eyes.
—Time has run out —she finally said—. I wonder how you plan to face Cain and Lucrecia. Was it truly necessary to provoke the two best candidates in that manner?
Neil smiled again, letting out a slight sigh, as if feigning concern. It was evident he already had everything under control. To him, the lives of pawns had never been a relevant problem.
—This game has taken an unfortunate direction thanks to my dear Delilah.
—You are the worst —Lathasha responded frankly—. Is that the only thing that concerns you? Delilah? Do you still trust that girl so much even after she chose Cain?
The Marquise knew perfectly well that Delilah had been pushed toward that decision by Neil himself. However, she wanted to provoke him, pointing out that even if it had all been part of his plan, the final result was the loss of the girl as a resource.
—The only piece I wanted for myself.
It was impossible to tell if Neil was mocking himself... or if he truly regretted something.
—When this entire celebration ends —Lathasha continued—, it will be impossible to hide the relationship between Delilah and Cain from Wilhem. Neil Bathory's supposed mistress will awaken the interest of that dangerous man. I would like to know what you plan to do when that moment arrives.
—I told my father that Delilah is an informant infiltrated within the Zehren mansion —Neil responded calmly—. And there is no lie in that fact.
For a moment, Lathasha wondered where the unshakable confidence with which that man lived each day came from. Neil glanced at the clock in the room. At that hour, Andrea would likely be arriving at the Zehren mansion, just as he had ordered. That brief visit was intended to gauge the girl's concerns... although he believed he already knew them.
—The King expects your honorable presence, Marquise.
Lathasha always found a certain charm in his brazenness. It was a quality she would never grow tired of.
—I heard you arranged Raguel's departure from Kevland.
Neil stopped just as he was about to conclude the conversation.
—Baron Asselin will not allow it so easily —she continued—. That would mean losing his title, and his name would be erased from the family book. Perhaps with Delilah it wasn't a problem, but if Raguel is removed from the Asselin hierarchy, diplomacy will not allow him to enter the royal court.
—Raguel's aspirations go beyond a decaying court —Neil responded—. And I can assure you that he has the protection of Bathory.
—Even if you have the power of a Duke, you cannot change the established rules in Kevland, Neil. You are being pretentious.
When Neil smiled for the fourth time, Lathasha understood that not even she truly knew the limits of his power. It was true that Raguel was embroiled in a dispute over the Baron's inheritance, and the slightest mistake could bring devastating consequences. But Neil's Raguel did not need his surname to obtain prestige.
Neil walked until he stood in front of the Marquise. With a careful gesture, he slid his fingers through her silky red hair, as if touching a delicate and valuable piece. Then, he invited her to accompany him to the dining room.
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