Chapter 36: Web of DeceitWith Lord Caelum's presence complicating matters, Alaric knew he had to tread carefully. The game of power was shifting, and every move needed to be calculated. He continued to manipulate the tensions between Houses Galvorn and Esmere while forging a tentative alliance with Caelum.The whispers of dissent grew louder, echoing through the halls of power. Alaric summoned his commanders, Zara, Theros, and Kallum, to discuss their strategy. "We must be vigilant. Caelum's motives are unclear, and I will not let my guard down," he warned, his voice steady.Zara crossed her arms, her brow furrowed in thought. "We need to keep a close watch on him. If he senses any weakness, he may try to undermine our authority."Kallum leaned forward, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Perhaps we could use Caelum's ambition to our advantage. If we make him believe he is in control, we can steer his actions without revealing our true intentions."Alaric nodded, impressed by Kallum's insight. "Agreed. We will allow him to take the lead in our dealings with the other houses while we pull the strings from the shadows. If we can maintain the facade of cooperation, we may be able to manipulate the situation to our advantage."As the plan took shape, Alaric felt the thrill of impending conflict simmering beneath the surface. He reveled in the intricacies of the game, the way each move could shift the balance of power. But with every step he took, the shadows loomed larger, reminding him of the treachery that lay in wait