Deep within the sprawling halls of the Windsor Estate, nestled among the towering hills outside Cressenhold, Hugo Wilde, Duke of Windsor, paced slowly in his private study. The room was dimly lit, the flickering flames of the fireplace casting dancing shadows across the rich, dark wood that paneled the walls. The estate was quiet, its opulence almost suffocating in its stillness, and yet Hugo found solace in the silence. The world outside was noisy and chaotic, filled with whispers of war, treachery, and the inevitable death of King Harley Pennington. But here, in his sanctuary, Hugo could think clearly. He could plan.
For years, Hugo had been weaving his web in the shadows, unseen and unnoticed by the majority of the court. His reputation was that of a cold, calculating man, more interested in consolidating his own power in the duchy than in seeking the throne of Ustaria. To most, he was a loyal servant of the crown, a distant observer of the Pennington family's struggles, with no real interest in the crown itself.
But they were wrong.
Hugo had always harbored ambitions far beyond the borders of his duchy. The throne of Ustaria was not just a seat of power to him—it was the culmination of a lifetime's work, a prize that he had been meticulously positioning himself for since his youth. And yet, no one suspected him, not even the Pennington siblings. The court saw him as a detached and aloof figure, uninterested in the game of succession, and that was exactly how Hugo wanted it.
He paused in his pacing, his eyes narrowing as they rested on a large map of Ustaria that hung on the wall across from him. His gaze swept over the borders, lingering on key regions that he knew would play a crucial role in the coming conflict. The Penningtons might have been too distracted by their internal squabbles to see it, but Hugo knew what was coming. Ustaria was on the brink of collapse, and the foreign forces on its borders were waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
But they would not get their chance—not if Hugo had anything to say about it.
The kingdom had become a fractured place, with each of Harley's children vying for power in their own way. Harris was gathering the military to his cause, believing that brute strength would carry him to the throne. David, reckless and cruel, was using his father's favor to indulge in his darkest desires, while Ruby and Lilliana played their own subtle games. Yet, despite the chaos within the royal family, none of them understood the true game being played around them. None of them saw the threads that Hugo had been quietly weaving for years.
He had no intention of allowing the kingdom to fall into the hands of one of Harley's children. They were too young, too inexperienced, too focused on their personal ambitions to see the larger picture. Ustaria needed someone who understood the delicate balance between power and stability. Someone who could guide the kingdom through the storm that was coming.
And that someone was ...
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A Calculated Move
Hugo's thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock at the door. Without turning, he called out, "Enter."
The door creaked open, and a tall, slender man stepped into the room. Marcus Tarrow, Hugo's most trusted advisor, closed the door behind him and approached quietly, his expression calm and unreadable as always. Marcus had been by Hugo's side for years, assisting him in matters of both statecraft and more delicate, secretive affairs. There was no one Hugo trusted more.
"My lord," Marcus said, his voice low and respectful. "Everything is proceeding as planned."
Hugo finally turned from the map, his sharp blue eyes meeting Marcus's gaze. "Good. What news from the capital?"
Marcus hesitated for a brief moment before responding. "The tension within the Pennington family is growing. Prince Harris has begun making more overt moves to secure his claim to the throne, rallying military support behind him. Prince David's behavior continues to... raise concerns among the nobles, but King Harley remains blind to it. As for Princess Ruby, she has been meeting with the lower nobility, seeking to strengthen her own base of support."
Hugo raised an eyebrow. "And Lilliana?"
Marcus's lips tightened into a thin line. "She remains as elusive as ever. Publicly, she has made no direct moves toward the throne, but we've confirmed her meetings with Duke Findlay Windsor. It's clear that she's playing a longer game, but her end goal remains unclear."
Hugo let out a quiet chuckle, turning back to the map. "Lilliana has always been the clever one. Of all Harley's children, she's the one I respect the most."
Marcus inclined his head slightly. "Do you believe she's a threat, my lord?"
"A threat?" Hugo mused, his gaze trailing across the map once more. "Perhaps. But Lilliana is a pragmatist. She knows when to strike and when to bide her time. I suspect she'll wait until the others tear each other apart before she makes her move. That's what makes her dangerous."
Hugo moved to the table in the center of the room, where several letters and documents lay spread out, detailing reports from his spies and agents across the kingdom. Ustaria was a powder keg, and the Penningtons were playing with fire. They didn't realize it yet, but their squabbles were weakening the kingdom, making it vulnerable to foreign invasion.
But Hugo had already accounted for that.
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The Foreign Threat
Hugo's gaze fell on a particular document—one that had arrived only a few days ago from a contact in Verdantia, a neighboring kingdom that had long harbored ambitions to expand its influence into Ustaria. The letter detailed the movements of Verdantian forces along the border, a clear indication that they were preparing for something. The Penningtons were too distracted by their internal struggles to notice, but Hugo had always kept a close eye on Ustaria's borders.
"Verdantia is preparing to make their move," Hugo said, handing the document to Marcus. "They're watching us, waiting for the right moment to strike. If the Pennington family continues down this path, Ustaria will be ripe for the taking."
Marcus studied the document briefly before nodding. "And what of the other foreign powers, my lord? Caldara and Erebus have also shown interest in Ustaria's instability. They've been bribing several nobles, hoping to destabilize the court further."
Hugo's lips curled into a cold smile. "They won't succeed. I've made sure of that."
Over the years, Hugo had carefully cultivated relationships with certain foreign diplomats and nobles, ensuring that Ustaria's enemies remained cautious in their moves. The Penningtons might be too distracted to see the foreign threat, but Hugo had always understood the importance of keeping potential invaders at bay. He had ensured that the bribes from Caldara and Erebus were intercepted, that certain key nobles were kept loyal to Ustaria, and that the foreign powers remained wary of overstepping their boundaries.
"That's why it's so important we control the narrative," Hugo continued. "Let Harris believe he's the rightful heir. Let Ruby gather her support. And let David self-destruct in his own indulgences. As long as they're focused on each other, we can prepare for what's coming."
Marcus nodded in agreement, his expression thoughtful. "And what of your son, Elliot? He's playing his part well, but are you confident that he understands the full extent of our plans?"
Hugo's smile softened slightly at the mention of his son. Elliot Wilde had always been the most important part of his plan—his ace in the hole. While the court saw Elliot as a charming, carefree nobleman, few realized the depth of his involvement in Hugo's schemes.
"He understands enough," Hugo replied. "Elliot knows his role, and he knows that when the time comes, he'll be in the perfect position. But we must be careful not to reveal our hand too soon. Let the Penningtons continue their petty squabbles. When the time is right, Elliot will make his move."
Marcus nodded once more, satisfied with the answer. "Very well, my lord. I'll ensure that our agents continue monitoring the Pennington family and the foreign powers."
Hugo waved a hand dismissively. "Do that. But remember, Marcus—patience is key. The game is not yet won. But it soon will be."
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The Long Game
As the fire crackled in the hearth, casting long shadows across the room, Hugo felt a sense of calm wash over him. The pieces were falling into place. The Penningtons were too busy fighting each other to see the real threat, and Ustaria's enemies remained cautious, thanks to Hugo's careful planning.
Everything was proceeding according to plan.
Hugo had spent years preparing for this moment, carefully building alliances, cultivating loyalty among key nobles, and positioning his son for the ultimate prize. When the time came, the throne of Ustaria would be theirs.
But for now, he would wait. The game was not yet won, but Hugo was nothing if not patient.
Victory would come, and when it did, the world would finally see just how deep his influence ran.