Lukas sat in his chambers, the stillness of the room broken only by the flickering of a solitary candle. The weight of everything—the court politics, the king's looming plans, and Elara's unintended role in it all—pressed heavily on his mind. He had replayed his conversation with her over and over again, knowing full well that she was close to discovering the truth about her father. But relying on her alone would not be enough. He had to move quickly, and he had to stay ahead of the king.
His thoughts wandered to Aurelia. He had yet to speak with her about the full extent of the situation, but he knew she would start to notice soon. Elara's frequent visits, the strange air surrounding their interactions—it was all adding up. Aurelia was sharp, and Lukas couldn't afford to leave her in the dark for much longer.
He stood from his desk, stretching his limbs as the tension in his muscles reminded him of the long hours spent strategizing. Zane had briefed him earlier about the whispers from Selena's informants—there was more movement in the palace, and the advisor's plotting had only grown more dangerous. The enemy was advancing, and he needed to be ready.
There was a soft knock at the door. "Come in," Lukas called, already knowing who it was.
Zane stepped into the room, his expression as serious as ever. "The men are prepped, and we've secured the estate for the night. But... there's more."
Lukas motioned for him to continue.
"Selena's informants confirmed the advisor and the king are planning something significant. There's a shift happening. They're moving fast."
Lukas let out a slow breath, trying to push down the frustration welling up inside him. He wasn't surprised. Every piece of information confirmed what he had feared: the king's hand was in every part of this plot, using Elara to execute his plans. But how far would he go? And would Elara herself become collateral in her father's grand strategy?
"We need to prepare for every possible outcome, Zane. The king isn't just going after me—he's targeting the entire house."
Zane nodded. "Do you think Elara knows?"
"She's starting to piece it together, but I can't push her too hard. Not yet." Lukas rubbed the back of his neck. "And Aurelia? I need to talk to her soon. She'll realize something's off if I keep this from her."
Zane's brow furrowed. "You think she'll understand?"
"She's smart, Zane. Smarter than anyone realizes. But it's not her understanding I'm worried about. It's keeping her safe."
Zane stepped closer, his tone softening. "You know she can handle herself. She's no ordinary noble girl."
Lukas chuckled lightly, though it lacked real humor. "She's far from ordinary."
Their conversation was interrupted by another knock on the door, this one more hesitant. Lukas glanced toward Zane, who raised an eyebrow, and then called out, "Enter."
Aurelia stepped in, her presence immediately commanding the room. Her long hair was pulled back into a braid, her armor absent but still emanating an air of strength. She glanced between the two men before focusing on Lukas.
"We need to talk," she said, her voice steady but with a slight edge that told him she already knew something was amiss.
Zane gave Lukas a knowing look before excusing himself from the room, leaving the two of them alone. Lukas gestured for her to sit, but Aurelia remained standing, her eyes locked on his.
"I've noticed Elara's visits have been... frequent," she said bluntly. "And I've noticed you've been avoiding discussing it."
Lukas sighed, stepping closer to her. "I was going to tell you."
"When?" Aurelia crossed her arms, her expression not angry, but concerned. "Before or after this all blows up in our faces?"
He couldn't meet her gaze for a moment, guilt gnawing at him. She was right. He had waited too long. But he had been trying to protect her, to shield her from the storm that was already brewing. Now, it seemed the storm was approaching faster than he anticipated.
"Listen, Aurelia," Lukas started, his voice firm but gentle. "Elara's visits aren't just friendly. The king—her father—he's using her."
Aurelia's eyes widened slightly, but she quickly masked her shock. "Using her? For what?"
"He's given her something," Lukas explained, his tone lowering. "An aphrodisiac. His plan is to trap me in a scandal involving Elara, and it would destroy not just me, but our entire house. The marriage would be called off, and the king would have the upper hand."
Aurelia took a step back, her expression hardening. "And Elara? Does she know?"
"No. She's completely unaware, but she's smart. I think she's starting to figure out something's wrong."
For a long moment, Aurelia was silent, her eyes searching Lukas's face as if trying to gauge the depth of the situation. Then, she exhaled, running a hand through her hair. "This is worse than I thought."
"I know."
She stepped toward him again, her eyes blazing with determination. "We need to move carefully. If the king is involved, it's not just a personal matter. He's aiming to cripple your entire family. And I won't let him succeed."
Lukas reached out, taking her hand. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. I didn't want to put you in danger."
Aurelia's gaze softened slightly, though her resolve didn't waver. "I understand why you did it, Lukas. But from now on, we face this together."
He nodded, grateful for her strength. "Together."
---
The tension was palpable throughout the estate as the night deepened. The guards patrolled the perimeter, their movements cautious and deliberate, aware that something was coming but not sure from which direction the attack would come. Inside, Lukas prepared for the worst, gathering his elite troops, ensuring Zane and Marcus were ready for any eventuality.
His thoughts kept returning to Elara. The next time she visited, he would have to tread carefully. She was innocent in all of this, but she was also a crucial part of the king's plot. If she realized the full scope of what her father was planning, it would devastate her. But if Lukas didn't act soon, the king's trap would spring shut.
As Lukas moved through the halls, he caught a glimpse of Aurelia speaking quietly with Marcus in the distance, her expression serious. She had taken the news better than he had expected, but that didn't mean it wouldn't weigh on her in the coming days. He would need her strength in the battles ahead, both political and personal.
By the time he returned to his chambers, the estate had settled into an uneasy quiet. The storm was approaching, and Lukas knew they had to be prepared for anything.
He glanced at the **system interface** once more, his mind focused on the progress he had made. It wasn't enough. Not yet.
Ether Points: 2,600
Progress to Level 6: 92%
Current Quest: Uncover the King's Plot
As the numbers flickered before him, Lukas felt the familiar surge of determination rising within. The pieces were moving, but he still had control over his own fate. The king might be playing his games in the shadows, but Lukas would make sure his next move counted. He decided it was high time he increased his cultivation, which would give him the strength to face any oncoming challenges.
And this time, he wouldn't be playing defense.