The moment the formal ceremony concluded, the hall transformed into something familiar. Alex watched from beside his father as the nobles descended on Sarah like vultures on roadkill.
"Miss Millbrook," Duke Ravencrest was the first to reach her, his merchant's smile plastered on despite the hunger in his eyes. "What a remarkable discovery. I must say, your potential is absolutely extraordinary."
Sarah clutched her simple brown dress, looking like she wanted to disappear into the floor. "I... thank you, Your Grace. I'm still not sure what any of this means."
'She has no idea what's happening to her. That level of ignorance will make her completely malleable to whoever claims her first.'
Duchess Wintermere swept in next, her silver hair catching the light like polished steel. "My dear girl, surely you understand you can't simply return to whatever common life you had before? An SS-rank time manipulator requires proper guidance, proper training." Her smile could have melted butter. "I would be honored to offer you a place in my household. As an adopted daughter, naturally."
"Adopted?" Sarah's voice cracked like thin ice. "But I have a family. My parents, my little brother..."
"Had a family," Lord Ravenswood corrected, his tone gentle as a knife between the ribs. "With respect, Miss Millbrook, your previous circumstances are no longer relevant. My house needs to ensure your abilities are properly developed for the good of the kingdom."
'Efficient. Standard procedure for high-value assets. Cut all previous connections, create total dependency.'
Duke Ashford's hand found his shoulder. "Quite the day," his father murmured, pitched low enough that only Alex could hear. "First you, now this girl. The kingdom hasn't seen awakening results like this in decades."
"Indeed," Alex replied, keeping his voice flat. 'Two SS-rank assets in one day. The girl's classification makes her more valuable than half the noble houses combined. The question is: which predator gets to claim her?'
His father's grip tightened slightly. A warning. "Compassion is admirable, son, but remember your position. An SS-rank fire manipulator from House Ashford carries responsibilities. The girl's circumstances, while unfortunate, are not our concern."
'Father's wrong. Her circumstances are exactly my concern as a strategic opportunity. An SS-rank time manipulator with no training, no allies, and no understanding of her own worth. She's a weapon waiting to be claimed.'
"Lord Ashford!" Marquess Brennan had noticed their conversation and approached with his practiced politician's bearing. "Congratulations again on your son's remarkable classification. SS-rank truly impressive. I don't suppose you'd be interested in discussing some mutually beneficial arrangements?"
'My turn to be bargained over. The difference is I know exactly what I'm worth and what I want in return.'
"What sort of arrangements?" Duke Ashford asked, though his tone suggested he knew exactly what was coming.
"Well, with young Lord Kael's newfound potential, there are so many opportunities to explore. Marriage alliances, joint ventures, training partnerships..." Brennan's cultured voice carried the weight of generations. "My daughter Lyanna is quite accomplished herself. B-rank ice manipulation, excellent at court politics, and she'll inherit substantial northern holdings when she comes of age."
'Ice and fire. Complementary abilities, territorial expansion, political connections. A sensible transaction from every angle. The girl herself is irrelevant. I'll be purchasing her abilities and her family's resources.'
"She's what, nineteen?" Alex asked, though he already knew the answer.
"Indeed. Perfect age for a formal betrothal arrangement," Brennan replied smoothly. "She was present at your original awakening ceremony, so she understands the unique circumstances surrounding your classification."
'Understands I'm valuable and won't ask inconvenient questions. Acceptable terms for a strategic marriage.'
Alex observed Sarah over Ravencrest's shoulder. Three different noble houses were now competing for her attention, their voices escalating as they tried to outbid each other. The girl looked ready to collapse.
'Look at her. Completely overwhelmed, no defenses, no comprehension of her own value. She'll accept the first offer that includes basic kindness, then spend her life as a pampered asset.'
"That's very generous," Duke Ashford was saying diplomatically, "but Kael will need time to adjust to his classification before we consider any long-term commitments."
"Of course, of course," Brennan waved dismissively. "Though I should mention that House Brennan controls extensive northern trade routes. Fire manipulation could be incredibly valuable for certain industrial applications. Very lucrative, very exclusive."
'Industrial applications. They want to use me as a magical furnace. At least they're honest about my function.'
Duchess Vaelthorne approached with predatory grace, having extracted herself from the feeding frenzy around Sarah.
"Duke Ashford," she said, her voice silk over steel. "What excellent timing. I was just thinking how beneficial it might be to arrange some joint training between our most promising young awakened." Her pale eyes fixed on Alex like they could dissect him. "My granddaughter Elara is A-rank barrier creation and manipulation. I'm sure she and young Lord Kael would have much to learn from each other."
Alex's enhanced vision activated:
[Duchess Seraphine Vaelthorne]
[Rank: S]
[Ability: Healing]
'S-rank healing. Dangerous. Healers detect anomalies others miss. I'll need to neutralize her interest or eliminate her as a threat.'
"Training partnerships can be valuable," his father agreed cautiously.
"Absolutely," Alex replied. "Though I prefer to understand my capabilities thoroughly before engaging in joint exercises."
'Delay tactics. Avoid exposure until I'm stronger.'
The duchess's eyes sharpened. "How prudent. Though opportunities don't wait indefinitely."
'Standard threat. Comply or lose access. Irrelevant. I don't need her resources.'
A commotion erupted near the platform. Sarah had attempted to leave, but Lord Ravenswood blocked her path like a wall.
"Miss Millbrook, surely you understand that your safety is now a matter of national security?" His voice carried with practiced authority. "Time manipulation of your caliber... there are those who might exploit such abilities for harmful purposes."
'National security. The standard excuse for claiming valuable assets.'
"I just want to go home," Sarah whispered, her voice carrying in the sudden quiet. "I want to see my parents, my little brother..."
'Still thinking like a normal person. She doesn't understand that home ceased to exist when her abilities manifested.'
"Your family will be well cared for," Duchess Vaelthorne called out, abandoning Alex's group to circle the girl. "House Vaelthorne has extensive holdings. Your father's a carpenter, isn't he? We always need skilled craftsmen."
'Hostages disguised as employment. Standard control protocol.'
Sarah's face went white as she grasped the implications. "You can't just... I have rights..."
"You have responsibilities," Lord Ravenswood corrected. "To your kingdom, to your people, and to the proper development of your gift."
'Rights are a luxury for the powerless. She's too valuable to have rights.'
The girl's desperate gaze swept the hall, seeking rescue that wouldn't come. Her eyes met Alex's, and he watched her realize the truth: she was completely alone among people who viewed her as a resource.
'There it is. The moment she understands. Now she'll either break or adapt.'
Alex calculated rapidly. Sarah would be claimed regardless of his actions. But which house acquired her mattered significantly. If he couldn't control the situation directly, he could influence the outcome.
'An SS-rank time manipulator under House Ashford's control. That's a strategic advantage worth pursuing.'
"Father," he said quietly, "we should extend an invitation to Miss Millbrook. House Ashford could benefit from mentoring another SS-rank awakened."
Every conversation ceased.
Duke Ashford's expression went blank. "Kael..."
"Time manipulation and fire abilities have natural synergy," Alex continued, his voice carrying across the silent hall. "Accelerating combustion, controlling reaction rates. The applications could be valuable."
'Complete fiction, but it provides strategic justification for acquisition.'
He was making a calculated investment. Claiming Sarah meant managing a traumatized asset with catastrophic power levels. But it also meant controlling the most dangerous person in the kingdom. That level of capability under his influence was worth any complications.
Duchess Vaelthorne's smile turned predatory. "How generous of House Ashford. Though managing two SS-rank awakened would require extraordinary resources. The security considerations alone..."
"House Ashford has fulfilled its obligations for three centuries," Duke Ashford replied, supporting his son's play despite the obvious trap. "We can handle whatever challenges arise."
'Good. Father backs strategic decisions even without complete information. That grants me operational freedom.'
Lord Ravenswood stepped forward. "Any arrangements require Crown approval. The girl's abilities make her a strategic asset requiring careful oversight."
'Strategic asset. Accurate terminology.'
Alex observed Sarah's face as the nobles discussed her future as if she were absent. She still believed her preferences mattered, that someone would respect her autonomy.
'She'll learn. They always do.'
"Naturally," Alex said with noble courtesy. "Though His Majesty values the judgment of his most loyal houses in such matters."
'Diplomatic language for we'll proceed unless explicitly forbidden. Let them challenge House Ashford's loyalty publicly.'
The challenge was issued. The other nobles would either withdraw or escalate.
From the upper balcony, Lucian Valorian observed with unreadable intensity. The legendary warrior cataloged every word, every maneuver.
'He's evaluating my capabilities. Acceptable. Let him see I understand the game and can play it effectively.'
Alex ran final calculations on his commitment.
'Sarah Millbrook: SS-rank time manipulator. Traumatized, isolated, completely dependent on her handler. No political training, no understanding of her value, prone to emotional instability that triggers her power.
Risks: She could kill me accidentally. She's a target for Crown enemies. Managing her psychological state requires constant attention.
Benefits: She's the most dangerous weapon in the kingdom. If I control her development, earn her dependency, shape her loyalty... I possess a tool that could eliminate anyone, including royalty.
Acceptable risk-to-benefit ratio.'
Sarah looked at him with desperate gratitude, seeing him as salvation rather than acquisition.
'Let her maintain that delusion. Gratitude creates dependency, dependency ensures control.'
The feeding frenzy intensified, but Alex had selected his strategy. He wouldn't save Sarah Millbrook. He would claim her. And he would ensure her gratitude made her compliant.
'Every effective weapon requires proper handling. I'll be hers.'