Chapter 9: Edwin's Grip Tightens
In the heart of the Valemont estate, Edwin stood by the big windows, overlooking the enormous acres that now belonged to him. The estate sprawled out in all ways, fields of golden wheat and vineyards waving in the breeze. It was his now, all of it. The Valemont name was his to command, and the legacy he had once envied now lay securely in his hands. But Edwin knew better than to rest easy. Power was never truly earned, just maintained—and to secure his grasp on the estate, he would need to play the game more ruthlessly than ever before.
Edwin had always been cunning, manipulating those around him with ease. But the fall of Alaric had taken something more—a premeditated annihilation, one that had left no space for question. It hadn't been enough to merely tarnish Alaric's reputation; Edwin had needed to sever every relationship Alaric had to his former life. His cousin had been banished, shamed, but Edwin's paranoia informed him that Alaric was not completely gone. The man was out there someplace, waiting, scheming his return. And that was a menace Edwin could not let to develop.
He glanced from the window as footsteps boomed down the marble corridor. Lady Beatrix, his wife, came into the room, her dark robe trailing after her like a shadow. She had been important in securing Edwin's ascension, her shrewd mind matching his desire at every turn. Where Edwin worked in the shadows, Beatrix functioned in the drawing salons and court, weaving her power through the nobility with a trained grin.
"You seem troubled," Beatrix replied, her voice smooth as silk.
Edwin smirked, though there was no genuine comedy in it. "Troubled? Hardly. I'm simply reflecting on how far we've come."
Beatrix lifted an eyebrow, coming closer. "We've only come this far because we haven't allowed complacency to set in. You've grabbed the estate, but preserving it is another issue entirely."
Edwin nodded, respecting her pragmatism. "I'm well aware. That's why I've been putting steps in place to ensure our position remains untouchable."
Beatrix tilted her head slightly, a gleam of wonder in her eyes. "And these measures?"
"Alaric may be gone, but he's not dead. Exile isn't death, and guys like him don't simply vanish. I've been securing relationships inside the court, guaranteeing that if Alaric ever tries to return, he'll have no support. The aristocrats who formerly respected him have been turned against him, owing to the rumors I've disseminated. Even if he does return, he'll be recognized as a criminal, not a savior."
Beatrix smiled approvingly, her eyes sparkling. "Good. But we mustn't rely merely on whispers and hearsay. We need tangible power—support that can't be shattered by mere words."
Edwin sighed, knowing she was right. "I've been working on that too. The king is already in my favor, and I've began establishing our relations with the royal treasury. commanding the kingdom's financial strings is as crucial as commanding its armies. With both, we'll be untouchable."
Beatrix's smile widened, her hand resting softly on Edwin's arm. "You've always been one step ahead, haven't you?"
But Edwin's mind wasn't at ease. Despite all his strategizing, a nagging voice in the back of his mind told him that Alaric wouldn't simply go away. He had seen the fire in his cousin's eyes, the drive that had once made Alaric such a great leader. If there was one thing Edwin had learned over the years, it was that Alaric wouldn't give up lightly. And while Edwin had crushed him once, he knew he would need to be prepared for anything.
Later that evening, Edwin called for a secret meeting with Lord Damaris, a wealthy lord who wielded enormous power in the kingdom's financial circles. Damaris had been a vital factor in Edwin's ascension, his assistance ensuring that the Valemont estate's wealth stayed intact even after Alaric's demise.
"Lord Damaris," Edwin greeted him as the older man entered the chamber, his cloak trailing after him. "Thank you for coming."
Damaris tilted his head, his gaze bright with inquiry. "You've asked for a private audience. I trust it's important?"
Edwin wasted no time, pouring a glass of wine for the lord before speaking. "There's a matter I need to discuss—one that concerns the future of the Valemont estate and the kingdom's financial stability."
Damaris took the wine, though he remained guarded. "Go on."
"As you know, the estate is thriving under my control," Edwin continued, keeping his tone calm. "But I foresee potential disruptions to that stability. Alaric may be in exile, but he's a resourceful man. If he were to return, it may upset the balance we've carefully crafted."
Damaris sipped his drink attentively. "And what would you have me do?"
"I need to ensure that if Alaric ever attempts to reclaim what he's lost, he'll have no allies. I wish to tighten our grip over the kingdom's finances, notably the royal treasury. If we control the flow of wealth, we control the future."
Damaris nodded carefully, considering the proposition. "It's a bold move. But it would take enormous funding from the court, not to mention the trust of the king."
Edwin's eyes glittered with deliberate confidence. "I've already begun laying the groundwork. The monarch is in my favor, and the nobles who may have supported Alaric are now under my influence. With your aid, we can strengthen that power—make it unassailable."
Damaris smiled, yet it was a cold, calculating smile. "You've always had ambition, Edwin. That's why I've supported you. But remember, ambition can turn lethal if unchecked."
"I'm well aware," Edwin said easily. "That's why I'm ensuring that no one can challenge what I've built."
The two guys exchanged a final nod, the unsaid understanding hanging heavily between them. As Damaris went, Edwin stood by the window once more, observing the estate bathed in moonlight. He had done everything perfectly. He had destroyed Alaric, taken his place, and now, he was consolidating his hold on power in ways that could never be undone.
But as much as Edwin soothed himself, the shadow of his cousin's homecoming lingered in the back of his mind. Power was never truly safe, and if Alaric ever found a way back into the realm, Edwin knew he would have to strike first—before his cousin could rise from the ashes of his exile.
For now, the Valemont estate was his. But Edwin wasn't naïve enough to imagine things would always stay that way unless he kept the sword of treachery fresh and ready.