The Veridan estate felt unusually quiet in the wake of Lukas's recent return. Tensions within the household were high, and the air was thick with the weight of unspoken secrets. Lukas stood in the estate's central courtyard, surveying the guards and household staff as they went about their duties. He knew that somewhere within these walls lurked spies—spies who had been feeding information to his enemies, likely those connected to the prime minister.
His newfound determination to root them out was unshakable. The recent assassination attempt, the constant shadow of doubt cast upon his military victories, and the clear unrest within the capital had pushed Lukas to the brink. It was time to clean house.
But first, there was work to be done. Lukas had gathered the guards, intending to begin their training immediately. His grandfather had given him permission to form his own forces, but this was the test. If he could transform the Veridan household guards into an elite unit, it would prove that he was ready to lead more than just soldiers—he was ready to build a force capable of protecting the estate and securing their future.
---
As Lukas walked through the barracks where the guards lived, their eyes followed him warily. They knew of him, of course—everyone in Valeria did. To them, Lukas was still the spoiled young master, a boy who had once squandered his wealth and reputation on women and wine. But that Lukas was dead, replaced by a man who had faced death on the battlefield and come out stronger.
The soldiers whispered among themselves, skeptical of Lukas's ability to lead. But that didn't matter to him. He would prove them wrong.
Zane appeared at his side, his usual smirk in place. "They don't trust you yet, you know."
"I know," Lukas replied, his voice calm. "But they will."
"What's the plan, then?" Zane asked, crossing his arms.
"Intensive training. Formation drills. I'm going to break them down and build them back up. By the time I'm done, they'll be the most disciplined unit in Valeria," Lukas said confidently.
Zane raised an eyebrow. "Sounds ambitious."
"It has to be," Lukas said, turning to face the group of guards assembled in the courtyard. "Start with the basics. We'll weed out the weak ones later."
---
The next few days were grueling for both Lukas and the guards. Lukas pushed them harder than they had ever been pushed before—endurance drills, weapons training, and combat exercises that left them exhausted and aching. It was brutal, but it was necessary.
Lukas led by example, joining them in the exercises, refusing to show any sign of weakness. His reputation as the useless young master quickly began to fade as the guards saw him endure the same pain and exhaustion they did. Slowly, begrudgingly, they began to respect him.
But it wasn't just physical training that Lukas was focused on. He knew that discipline and strategy were just as important as strength. He began implementing formation drills and tactical exercises, using the knowledge he had gained from the war to teach the guards how to fight as a cohesive unit.
After a week of relentless training, the guards were transformed. They were no longer the undisciplined group they had been. They were sharper, more focused, and ready for battle. And Lukas had earned their respect, not through words, but through action.
---
Late one evening, Lukas sat in the estate's study, pouring over reports and ledgers. The estate's finances were in worse shape than he had initially thought. They had enough to keep the household running for now, but with the ongoing war, the future was uncertain. His recent gamble had brought in some funds, but it wouldn't be enough to sustain his long-term ambitions.
He leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples. There had to be another way to generate income—something that didn't rely on the whims of the court or the shifting tides of war. That's when the idea struck him.
The auction house.
If he could establish a reputable auction house, one where rare and valuable items could be sold to the highest bidder, it would be a steady source of income. And more importantly, it would give him access to the underbelly of Valeria—information, connections, and influence. But such an endeavor would require trusted people to run it, and it had to be kept secret from his enemies.
Zane entered the study, glancing at the mess of papers scattered across the desk. "Thinking of new ways to make money?" he asked, half-joking.
Lukas nodded, a faint smile on his lips. "I think I have something. An auction house. It'll give us the funds we need, and if we play our cards right, it could also give us access to information. People talk when money's involved."
Zane raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Sounds like a solid plan. But how are you going to keep it secret?"
"I'll use intermediaries. People who aren't directly tied to the estate. No one will know it's mine," Lukas explained. "It's risky, but it's the best option we have right now."
Zane grinned. "You really are planning for everything, aren't you?"
"I have to," Lukas said, his expression serious. "There's no room for mistakes. Not anymore."
---
Meanwhile, Lukas's grandfather had stormed the royal court, his anger barely contained. The assassination attempt on his grandson's life had been the last straw, and the old general was determined to root out those responsible. He marched into the throne room, his eyes blazing with fury as he pointed an accusatory finger at the prime minister.
"You think I don't know it was you?" the general roared, his voice echoing through the grand hall. "You sent those assassins to kill my grandson. You've been scheming against House Veridan for years, and I won't stand for it any longer."
The prime minister, ever calm and collected, raised an eyebrow in mock surprise. "My lord, such accusations are baseless. Why would I want harm to come to your grandson? I have nothing to gain from such an act."
The general's fists clenched at his sides. "Don't play games with me. I know your kind. You think you can manipulate the court and get away with it. But I swear, if you come after my family again, I'll see you hanged."
The prime minister's smile didn't falter. "My lord, I would suggest you calm yourself. At least be grateful that your grandson survived the attempt. I'd hate to see what would happen if something worse befell him."
The veiled threat hung in the air, and for a moment, it seemed as though the old general would strike the prime minister where he stood. But the emperor's voice cut through the tension.
"Enough," the emperor said, his tone stern. "General Veridan, these accusations are serious, but without proof, they hold no weight in this court."
The prime minister seized the opportunity, bowing respectfully. "Your majesty, it pains me to see General Veridan in such a state. He is a great man, but perhaps… his time in service has taken its toll. Perhaps it is time for him to step down and let the younger generation take over. He disrupts the court with these outbursts."
The emperor said nothing, but Lukas's grandfather could see the unspoken agreement in his eyes. The battle for control of the court was far from over.
---
Back at the estate, Lukas's focus had shifted to uncovering the spies. He knew they were here, somewhere within the household staff or the guards. The assassination attempt had been too well-coordinated, too precise. Someone had been feeding information to his enemies, and he intended to find out who.
He began watching the movements of the staff closely, noting who interacted with whom and who seemed nervous or out of place. It wasn't long before his suspicions were confirmed—three members of the household staff had been sending coded messages to an outside source. Lukas moved quickly, detaining them before they could escape.
In a private room, Lukas stood over the captured spies, his expression cold and unyielding. "Who sent you?"
The spies refused to speak, their eyes filled with defiance. But Lukas wasn't interested in their bravado. He had other ways of getting the information he needed.
By the time the interrogation was over, the truth had been revealed. The prime minister had been behind the plot to kill Lukas, just as his grandfather had suspected. But now Lukas had the proof, and with it, he could move forward with his plans.
But before he acted, the estate had to be cleansed. His grandfather, upon learning the truth, took matters into his own hands, executing the spies personally, his rage palpable as he carried out the sentence.
Lukas watched in silence, his resolve hardening. The time for action had come. The auction house would be the first step, but his ultimate goal was clear—he would gather his forces, strengthen his position, and make sure that no one ever threatened House Veridan again.
The war was far from over, and Lukas was ready to fight.