The air was heavy with unseen tension. The secret council, once content to observe Lucien from the shadows, had made their first move. The warning had been subtle, but the message was clear—they considered him a threat.
He had two choices.
React with force.
Or weave a response so intricate, so subtle, that they wouldn't realize they were ensnared until it was too late.
Lucien chose the second.
---
### The False Vulnerability
Power was dangerous.
But the illusion of control slipping was far deadlier.
Lucien carefully seeded false information—whispers of uncertainty, rumors of growing unrest within House Silver Star 's ranks. Through carefully placed informants, he let it slip that his grip over noble politics was not as absolute as it seemed, that cracks had begun forming.
It was bait.
And if the council was truly watching, they would attempt to exploit it.
Because nothing lured predators more than the scent of weakness.
---
### The First Strike
Days passed.
Then weeks.
Lucien waited patiently, observing, ensuring that his deception unfolded exactly as intended.
And when the secret council finally made their move, it was not through open battle—it was through subterfuge.
A high-ranking noble, Lord Daemon Syveris, suddenly began pushing reforms that sought to weaken House Silver Star 's financial standing, rerouting influence to a neutral party. On the surface, it seemed like a simple political maneuver.
But Lucien recognized the pattern immediately.
Daemon was not acting alone. He was the council's pawn—their first attempt to destabilize his foundation.
A calculated move.
A carefully placed piece in their game.
And now, it was time for Lucien to strike back.
---
### Breaking the Council's Play
He did not confront Daemon publicly.
That would be too obvious.
Instead, he set an unseen trap, weaving illusion magic so intricately into court affairs that even the most experienced nobles would fail to recognize its touch.
Subtle shifts in perception.
Altered documents.
False memories implanted through whispers and deception.
Within days, House Silver Star 's financial standing remained untouched.
And Daemon Syveris—once a trusted noble—was now suddenly perceived as a traitor.
Not just by House Silver Star .
By the entire noble council.
---
### The Web Tightens
The secret council had made their first play.
And in return, Lucien had not just countered their move—he had made them turn against their own pawn.
Now, the true battle began.
Because if the council was willing to operate through subterfuge, then Lucien would ensure they drowned in their own deception.
Because no matter how well they played the game,
They did not realize they had already lost.