The night was still, save for the soft rustling of the leaves outside the window. Inside House Rion's study, the flickering candlelight cast long shadows across the floor, stretching toward the two figures standing at the desk. Alaric's fingers tightened around the edge of the ledger, his golden eyes gleaming with cold fury.
The discovery had been made: Lord Rion was not just playing both sides, but planning to betray the kingdom to Valden the moment he thought he had the upper hand. A king's life was worth little to a man like Rion—his loyalty could be bought and sold like any other commodity.
And now, the choice was clear. Alaric's hand would not be stayed by morals or the niceties of politics. This was war. If Rion was to be an obstacle, he would be removed.
"We move at dawn," Alaric said, his voice quiet but laced with authority. He was no longer the king in hiding, uncertain of his position. He was a predator now, circling his prey. "We take the evidence, confront him with it, and make him choose—his life or his loyalty."
Asher stood in silence beside him, his expression unreadable. His dark eyes flicked toward the letter, then back to Alaric, as though measuring the king's every word. "You'll force his hand. But be careful. If he knows we have leverage, he may try to make us pay for it. His desperation could lead to reckless action."
Alaric turned, his lips curling slightly. "I'm counting on it."
The hours passed in tense preparation. As dawn broke, Alaric and Asher made their way through the quiet corridors of House Rion, their steps silent and precise. The guards were few at this hour, and Asher moved ahead, leading the way with an efficiency born of years spent in the shadows.
The estate was lavish, as expected—rich tapestries, polished stone floors, and gilded furniture that screamed wealth and power. But for all its opulence, it was hollow. The façade of nobility could not hide the treachery beneath.
At last, they reached the heart of the estate: Lord Rion's private chambers. The door was closed, but it was not locked. Asher pushed it open with a swift motion, stepping inside without hesitation.
Rion was already awake, pacing the room as if expecting their arrival. His face paled when he saw them, his eyes flicking to the ledger in Alaric's hand. The man's voice faltered for just a moment before he spoke, his tone strained.
"You… You don't know what you're doing, Alaric."
Alaric's gaze never wavered. "I think I know exactly what I'm doing, Lord Rion. You've been playing both sides, trying to secure your position with Valden, haven't you?"
Rion's eyes darted to Asher, who stood at the door, watching with silent intensity. "This is… This is a mistake," he stammered, his hand reaching for the desk, as if seeking some kind of reassurance in the scattered papers. "You don't understand the forces at play. Valden—"
"You don't need to explain Valden to me," Alaric interrupted, his voice a low growl. "I understand very well who he is and what he wants. What I don't understand is why you thought you could betray me and live to tell the tale."
Rion's face twisted in fear, and his eyes shifted back and forth as if searching for an escape. "You can't do this. The kingdom isn't just yours to control, Alaric! The nobles, the people—they all have a stake. Valden is already gathering support. You'll lose everything if you—"
Alaric stepped forward, his presence overwhelming. "I don't lose, Rion. Not anymore."
His eyes flicked to the ledger, then back to the terrified noble. "You've already made your choice. And now, it's time for you to pay the price."
Rion's voice quivered as he tried one last desperate plea. "I… I didn't want this! I was trying to protect my house, my family!"
"Your family?" Alaric's lips curled into a smile, but there was no warmth in it. "You would sell them out for power? For a throne that doesn't belong to you?"
Asher stepped forward, his gaze cold as he moved to stand beside Alaric. "We both know that's not true. You weren't protecting your family. You were securing your own seat at the table of a king who'd rather see us all burn than share power."
The silence stretched between them, thick with the weight of betrayal. Rion looked between the two men, his desperation mounting. "What do you want from me? I can't fight Valden. He has too many allies, too many resources."
Alaric's eyes darkened. "You'll help me destroy him, or I'll expose your treachery to every noble house in the kingdom. No more hiding behind your deals. No more pretending to be a loyal subject. You'll be a traitor, and your house will be burned to the ground."
Rion staggered back, his breath coming in short gasps. "You can't! If you expose me, they'll come for you too!"
"Then we'll be enemies together." Alaric's voice was final, unwavering. "You have two choices. Help me take down Valden, or die a traitor's death, alone and forgotten."
Rion's face twisted in conflict, his hands trembling as he clutched at the edge of his desk. Finally, after a long pause, he spoke, his voice hollow. "I… I can't do it alone."
"Then don't," Alaric said, his voice as cold as ice. "But you'll do your part. We'll use you to strike at Valden's weakest points. You'll become a tool for the king you thought you could betray."
Rion opened his mouth as if to argue, but the words died on his lips. His shoulders slumped in defeat, and his gaze dropped to the floor.
"I'll help," he whispered, the weight of his capitulation sinking in. "But know this, Alaric: There's no turning back now. If Valden finds out… If he learns what I've done…"
Alaric's smile was sharp, like the edge of a blade. "Then we make sure he never finds out. Your family's future depends on it."
As the tense silence stretched between them, Alaric and Asher exchanged a look. The first piece had fallen into place. Lord Rion was their pawn, and he had made his choice. Now, the real game began.
But in the back of Alaric's mind, something gnawed at him. Was Rion the only one who had betrayed him? Or were there more shadows in the court, more traitors hidden in plain sight? The question lingered, unanswered, as they left the chamber.