The days leading up to the wedding were marked by a tense quiet. The Veridan estate buzzed with preparations, but to Lukas, it felt as if a storm was gathering on the horizon. While his grandfather and Lord Alistair Calderon focused on the grand event, Lukas's mind was consumed by the intricate web of deceit forming around him.
Princess Elara had visited him multiple times now, and each visit had only deepened his suspicion. The king's trap—Lukas was sure of it. Her affections, once innocent, were now tainted by the realization that she was being used, even if she didn't know it herself. And yet, Lukas couldn't bring himself to confront her. She was being manipulated as much as he was.
---
At the Veridan Estate
The morning light streamed through the windows as Lukas stood in his study, reviewing the latest reports from his informants. Selena's network was vast, and the information they gathered was starting to paint a clearer picture. The king's movements had been subtle, but his hand was in everything. From the court's power struggles to the assassins that had attacked Lukas not long ago, it all led back to Valerian.
He couldn't ignore it any longer.
Zane entered the room, his expression grim. "The guards are in position. We're keeping a close watch on anyone coming in or out of the estate."
Lukas nodded. "Good. We can't afford any surprises."
Zane lingered by the doorway, his eyes flicking to the documents spread across Lukas's desk. "What about the princess? You haven't told her yet."
Lukas sighed, running a hand through his hair. "No, and I don't plan to. She's smart, Zane. She'll figure it out soon enough. But until then, I need to keep her at a distance."
Zane crossed his arms, leaning against the doorframe. "What if she's already in too deep? If the king's using her..."
"I know," Lukas interrupted, his voice tight. "But she's not the enemy. Not yet."
The room fell into an uneasy silence. The tension between Lukas and Zane was palpable, but Zane knew better than to push. He respected Lukas's decision, even if he didn't fully agree with it.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the estate, Lukas made his way through the garden. The cool evening air did little to ease his troubled mind. He needed a solution, a way to outmaneuver the king without causing irreparable damage.
His thoughts were interrupted by the soft rustle of fabric. Elara stood at the entrance to the garden, her figure illuminated by the fading light. She wore a simple gown, her golden hair falling in waves over her shoulders. She smiled when she saw him, though it didn't reach her eyes.
"Lukas," she called softly, walking toward him. "I've been looking for you."
He turned to face her, his heart heavy with the weight of what he suspected. "Elara, it's late. You should be in the palace."
She shook her head, stepping closer. "I couldn't sleep. I wanted to see you... before things change."
There it was again—that unspoken truth. She knew the wedding was approaching, and with it, the finality of their relationship. Yet Lukas could sense something more in her words, something darker beneath the surface. Her father's influence, the aphrodisiac—he could see it all falling into place.
"Elara," he began, his voice gentle but firm, "you need to be careful."
She blinked, confused. "Careful? What do you mean?"
Lukas hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. "I mean... your father. He's been acting strange lately, hasn't he?"
Her face faltered, a flicker of doubt crossing her features. "My father? I... I don't know. He's always been distant. But why does that matter?"
Lukas stepped closer, lowering his voice. "Just think about it, Elara. The sweets, your visits... Why now? Why after the engagement was announced?"
Her confusion deepened, but she didn't pull away. "Lukas, I don't understand. Are you saying... my father is involved in something?"
Lukas pressed his lips into a thin line, unwilling to say more. He couldn't risk tipping his hand too early. But he saw the flicker of suspicion in her eyes, the doubt forming. She's smart—she would figure it out soon enough.
"I just want you to be careful," he said again, his voice soft. "Things are changing, and I don't want you caught in the middle of something dangerous."
---
Meanwhile, in the grand halls of the palace, King Valerian sat in his chambers, the advisor by his side. His expression was calm, though his mind was already working through the next steps of his plan.
"The princess has been visiting Lukas frequently," the advisor said, her tone measured. "But he's been cautious. He's not falling for it."
Valerian's lips curved into a thin smile. "He will. It's only a matter of time. Once the aphrodisiac takes full effect, we'll have the scandal we need."
The advisor nodded. "And Aurelia? Her family is still pushing forward with the wedding preparations."
"Let them," Valerian said dismissively. "Once the scandal breaks, the wedding will be called off. House Veridan will be in ruins, and Lukas will have no choice but to submit to us."
The advisor's gaze sharpened. "And if the princess finds out?"
Valerian's smile faded slightly. "She won't. Not until it's too late."
---
As the night grew darker, Lukas returned to his chambers, his mind still racing with thoughts of the king's plot. He sat at his desk, pulling up the system interface, hoping for some guidance. The system hummed, displaying his progress and the skills he had unlocked so far, but there was no new information regarding the king's plans.
---
[System Status]
- Ether Points: 2,400
- Progress to Level 6: 85%
- Current Quest: Survive the Court's Intrigue
---
His Ether Points were steadily increasing, but it wasn't enough. Not yet. He needed more time—time to strengthen his forces, time to gather more information, and time to prepare for the king's next move.
As he closed the system interface, a soft knock echoed through the door.
"Come in," Lukas called.
Zane entered, his expression serious. "There's something you should know. Selena's informants have picked up whispers—there's movement in the palace. The advisor and the king are planning something big."
Lukas clenched his fists. "We need to move faster."
Zane nodded. "What's the next step?"
Lukas stood, his mind already racing through possible strategies. "We need to keep Elara safe. If the king's plan involves her, then she's in more danger than she realizes."
Zane frowned. "And what about Aurelia? She's going to notice something's off."
Lukas sighed, the weight of it all pressing down on him. "I'll tell her. But we need to be careful. The king's playing a dangerous game, and one wrong move could bring everything crashing down."