As the night continued on, David Pennington lay in his bed, staring at the ceiling of his lavish chamber, his thoughts shifting away from the evening's pleasures and toward the complex game unfolding in Ustaria's royal court. His father's health was failing, and soon the question of who would succeed King Harley would come to a head. For most of the court, the battle for the throne was between Harris, the strong and relentless heir, and Ruby, the compassionate and favored by the lower nobles. But David knew better.
He had no desire for the throne in the conventional sense—he wasn't like Harris, who craved power for the sake of leadership, or Ruby, who wished to protect the people. David's interest lay in the chaos of it all. The throne represented more than just rulership. It was control over the kingdom's resources, its people, and—most importantly—the freedom to do whatever he wanted. And David, who had always acted with reckless abandon under the protective shadow of his father's favoritism, knew that freedom was what he valued most.
He chuckled softly to himself, recalling the fear in the young woman's eyes earlier in the night. That was power. The ability to make people bend to his will, to manipulate their fears and desires, to control their very lives. As the favorite son, David had learned early on that people feared displeasing him. Even the nobles who muttered in the shadows about his behavior dared not confront him directly. And why should they? King Harley had never reprimanded him—not once. In Harley's eyes, David could do no wrong, and that alone gave him immense influence.
But David was not blind to the growing unrest among the nobility. He knew that Harris was rallying the military, that Ruby was gathering the support of the common people, and that even Lilliana, though outwardly disinterested, was maneuvering quietly in the background, her actions so subtle that most of the court dismissed her as a non-threat. David, however, had always kept a close eye on his cunning sister. Lilliana was too intelligent to remain passive, and he suspected that her ambitions ran deeper than anyone could see.
For now, David had no interest in making open moves. He enjoyed the current freedom his father's protection afforded him. But he also knew that once Harley passed, things would change. Harris, with his military might, could pose a threat if he decided to tighten control over the kingdom. Ruby, for all her softness, had a growing base of support among the lower nobility and the commoners. And Lilliana—well, Lilliana was the unknown, and that was what made her dangerous.
David smirked. Let them plot, he thought. He was not a fool, and when the time was right, he would act. He wasn't after the crown itself—not yet. But if the opportunity arose to take what he wanted, to throw the court into chaos and bend it to his will, David knew he wouldn't hesitate. For now, he would play along, bide his time, and continue enjoying the privileges that came with being the king's favorite.
---
A Dangerous Conversation
The following morning, the palace buzzed with quiet energy, the courtiers already engaged in whispered conversations about the latest political moves within the court. David's reckless behavior was often a source of hushed gossip, but those same whispers seemed to fade when he entered a room. His presence demanded attention, his unpredictable nature making others cautious around him.
David made his way through the grand halls of the palace, his mind wandering to the discussions that would soon take place in the council chambers. The council was supposed to be focused on the affairs of the kingdom—trade, border security, the delicate peace with neighboring nations—but everyone knew that the real conversation would revolve around the king's health and the question of succession.
David wasn't scheduled to attend the meeting. He rarely did. Such formalities bored him, and his father had never insisted on his presence. But as David passed one of the smaller, more private courtyards, a familiar figure caught his eye.
Baron Leonard Croft was one of the more influential nobles in Ustaria. His loyalty was something many sought after, particularly Harris and Ruby. He was a man known for his cunning, always positioning himself just out of reach of danger while reaping the rewards of his alliances. David had never trusted Croft, but he had long been curious about the baron's quiet rise to power.
Today, Croft wasn't alone. A group of lesser nobles surrounded him, their conversation low but animated as they spoke in hushed tones. David slowed his pace, his curiosity piqued. He could make out snippets of the conversation—whispers of Harris, discussions of Ruby's recent meeting with the lower nobles—but nothing concrete enough to piece together what they were planning.
With a smirk, David made his way toward the group, his footsteps deliberate as he approached.
The nobles fell silent as David approached, their eyes darting nervously toward him. Baron Croft, however, remained composed, though David could see the flicker of discomfort in his eyes. Croft was not a man who enjoyed surprises, and David's presence was most certainly a surprise.
"Baron Croft," David greeted him, his voice smooth, but with a hint of mischief that set the others on edge. "Discussing anything interesting?"
The baron inclined his head slightly, his expression carefully neutral. "Your Highness," he said calmly. "Just a few matters of trade and diplomacy. Nothing that would concern you."
David chuckled softly, stepping closer as he surveyed the other nobles with a slow, predatory gaze. "Diplomacy? I doubt it," he said, his tone light, but there was an edge to it. "You're all far too nervous for a simple conversation about trade."
Croft hesitated, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied David. "The kingdom is at a crossroads, Your Highness. People are... concerned about the future."
David's smile widened. "Concerned, are they? And what, exactly, do they fear?"
One of the younger nobles shifted uncomfortably, casting a nervous glance toward Croft before speaking. "The question of succession, Your Highness. The court is unsettled."
David's eyes gleamed with amusement. "Ah, yes. The throne. Everyone wants it, but no one knows what to do with it."
Baron Croft's expression remained calm, though there was a flicker of tension beneath the surface. "It is a time of uncertainty," he said carefully. "But we all want what's best for Ustaria."
David leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a low, dangerous whisper. "What's best for Ustaria, or what's best for you?"
Croft's jaw tightened, but he didn't respond. The other nobles remained silent, their discomfort palpable. David reveled in the power he held over them. He knew that they feared him—perhaps not in the same way they feared Harris, but his unpredictability made him dangerous. And that was something David enjoyed.
"Relax," David said, stepping back with a smirk. "I'm not interested in your little schemes. Not yet, anyway."
The nobles exchanged uneasy glances, unsure of what to make of David's words. Baron Croft remained quiet, his eyes never leaving David's.
"Enjoy your conversations," David said, his tone light but dismissive. "But remember—my father is still king. And as long as he is, you would do well to stay in line."
Without waiting for a response, David turned and walked away, leaving the group of nobles behind. He could feel their eyes on him as he left, but he didn't care. Let them plot and scheme. He had no interest in playing their games—for now. But when the time came, David knew he would be ready.