In the Dimitry estate,
A man in his thirties sat in a chair at the center of a grand and luxurious room. The space was filled with books and scrolls, their shelves lining the walls from floor to ceiling.
The faint scent of ink permeated the air, mixing with the warmth of the fireplace and the weight of old leather bindings. A large oak desk stood near the window, covered in papers and sealed letters.
The curtains were drawn back, allowing pale moonlight to spill across the floor.
The man in the chair was Alex Dimitry, lord of the estate.
He was dressed in a dark velvet coat with silver embroidery at the collar, his dark hair combed back, his face sharp and composed. But his composure was cracking.
In his hands, he held a letter.
The parchment was thick, the handwriting elegant but hurried.
The seal had been broken hours ago, but he kept reading it again and again, as if hoping the words would change.
Beside him, a man in a butler suit waited in calm silence. His tailcoat was pressed to perfection, black fabric unblemished, silver buttons catching the firelight. White gloves covered his hands, folded neatly in front of him.
A simple silver chain hung across his chest, attached to a pocket watch that he never needed to check. His posture was straight, his expression composed, his eyes watchful but patient.
He had served the Dimitry family for over twenty years, and very little surprised him anymore.
But tonight, he noticed something different.
Alex's eyes moved across the letter. His brow furrowed,his jaw tightened,his lips pressed into a thin line.
The composed mask he wore so often slipped, and his face turned sour, then annoyed, then something darker.
The butler observed the shift. He waited a moment, then another, before speaking.
"Is something wrong, my lord?"
Alex did not answer immediately. He set the letter down on the arm of his chair and rubbed his temple with two fingers.
His other hand drummed against the leather armrest.
"The Hendrix family," Alex said finally. "The beast attack. The lord of the barony, Rowan Hendrix."
He paused.
"Is it true?"
The butler did not hesitate. "Yes, my lord. Baron Rowan is confirmed dead in the beast attack. The border fortress fell three weeks ago,casualties were severe.
The surviving defenders are scattered, and the horde has been pushed back but not destroyed."
Alex picked up the letter again, scanning a particular line.
"And the son? The one who was injured?"
"The young master, Noel Hendrix, survived. He was unconscious for twenty-one days but has reportedly woken. The church priests attended to him."
Alex exhaled through his nose. "So the heir lives."
"Yes, my lord."
Alex set the letter down once more and stood. He walked to the window, his boots silent on the thick carpet.
Outside, the estate grounds stretched into darkness, torches flickering along the walls.
The butler turned slightly to keep facing him. "Does something about this matter to you, my lord?"
Alex took a deep breath before speaking. "The faction of the Second Prince wants us to take control over Hendrix territory."
The butler's eyes widened a fraction. It was the most expression he had shown all evening. "I see. That is... significant."
"Significant," Alex repeated,
A hint of bitterness in his voice. "That is one word for it."
He turned from the window and began to pace. His hand moved to his chin, his fingers stroking his jaw as he thought aloud.
"The First Prince is the rightful heir to the throne. Everyone knows it. His faction is growing day by day, and he has a great number of supporters across the kingdom. The noble houses, the merchant guilds, even some of the church leaders. They all flock to him like moths to a flame."
The butler nodded. "It is true. The First Prince's influence expands with each passing month."
Alex stopped pacing. "But I am aligned with the Second Prince. And the Second Prince holds military authority. The armies, the border garrisons, the strategic strongholds—all of it answers to him. He does not have the legitimacy of the First Prince, but he has the sword."
"A dangerous combination," the butler observed.
"Dangerous and necessary," Alex replied. "If the Second Prince wants Hendrix territory, then Hendrix territory will be taken. The question is how."
He walked back to his chair but did not sit. Instead, he stood behind it, his hands resting on the high back.
"Let me think. Hendrix territory. What do we know about it?"
The butler answered promptly. "It is not a good economical estate, my lord. The land is harsh, the soil is poor for farming, and the population is sparse. Resources are limited. Trade routes are minimal."
Alex nodded. "And yet the Second Prince wants it. Why?"
The butler hesitated, then said, "Because of its location, my lord."
"Exactly." Alex began pacing again, his voice growing more animated.
"Hendrix territory holds the border between one of the forbidden areas, Frost Peak and above Frost Peak lies the empire of giants, Jotunheimr."
He turned to face the butler. "That makes it valuable. That makes it strategic. Whoever controls Hendrix territory controls the gateway to the north. They control access to Frost Peak, and they control the first line of defense against anything that comes down from Jotunheimr."
The butler inclined his head. "A fortress in all but name."
"Precisely." Alex stopped pacing and crossed his arms. "The Hendrix family may be poor, but they are positioned like a locked door. And the Second Prince wants the key."
He returned to his chair and sat down heavily. For a moment, he stared at the fire, watching the flames dance and twist.
The butler waited, then asked, "How are we going to do this, my lord?"
Alex met his eyes. "Who is currently in charge of the Hendrix estate?"
The butler answered immediately. "It is the son of Rowan Hendrix. Noel Hendrix. He is fifteen years old now. Under the laws of the kingdom, he is not legally able to command an estate until he comes of age at sixteen. Until then, he is considered a minor under the protection of the crown and any appointed regent."
Alex furrowed his brows. "Fifteen. A child."
"Yes, my lord. A child who has just lost his father and whose mother is reportedly incapacitated. The details are unclear, but word from the church suggests Lady Amelia Hendrix suffered mana overload and is no longer conscious."
Alex leaned back, his fingers steepled. "So the boy is alone."
"It would seem so, my lord."
Alex was silent for a long moment. Then he spoke, his voice slow and deliberate.
"Send an envoy to the Hendrix family. We will offer a discussion. We will tell them we want to help the estate. We will send aid. Food, supplies, soldiers if needed."
The butler listened carefully, his expression unreadable.
"We will present ourselves as allies," Alex continued. "Friends. Neighbors offering a hand in a time of crisis. The boy will not be able to reject this idea. To refuse aid after such a disaster would make him look foolish. Prideful. Unfit to lead."
"And once the aid is accepted?"
Alex smiled. It was a thin smile, cold at the edges. "Once the aid is accepted, we have a foothold. Our people will be on his land. Our supplies will be in his stores. Our soldiers will walk his walls. And slowly, without anyone noticing, we will gain control over Hendrix territory."
The butler considered this. "A gentle conquest."
"Exactly. The Hendrix family will not even realize they are being absorbed until it is too late."
The butler hesitated. There was something in his posture that suggested a question he was not sure he should ask.
Alex noticed. "Speak."
"My lord, why are we going through this trouble? The boy is fifteen. He is a minor. You could legally gain privilege and make him step down. A petition to the crown, a claim of incompetence, a regent appointed by the Second Prince. Noel Hendrix has no political allies."
Alex looked at him, his expression cold and steady. "You think I have not considered that?"
The butler lowered his gaze. "Forgive me, my lord. I meant no offense."
Alex waved a hand.
He stood and walked to the window again, looking out at the darkened estate.
"The reason the Second Prince wants us to take control over Hendrix territory is because he does not want to gain attention. If we march in with legal claims and royal decrees, everyone will notice. The First Prince will notice. And if the First Prince acts, that will be troublesome."
He turned back to face the butler. "The First Prince may not have the military strength of his brother, but he has the law. He has the church. He has the nobles who believe in tradition and bloodright. If we give him a reason to intervene, he will. And then what should have been a quiet acquisition becomes a political battle."
Alex shook his head. "The Second Prince does not want delays. He wants results. Quiet, invisible, undeniable results."
"I understand my lord" the butler said.
"We move carefully,"
"We send the envoy,offer aid, Smile and shake hands like generous neighbors."
"Behind closed doors, we tighten our grip one finger at a time."
He walked back to his chair and picked up the letter again.
"And this also a test from the second prince to us.We should also show our worth."
The butler bowed. "I understand, my lord. I'll prepare the envoy immediately. Discreet, loyal, observant men."
"Good." Alex folded the letter into his coat. "Send word to the capital. I want to know everything about Noel Hendrix."
"If we're going to control him, we need to understand him."
"It will be done, my lord."
Alex nodded and turned to the fire.
The flames crackled, casting long shadows.
The game had begun.