"Empires are not destroyed by enemies alone. Sometimes, they rot from the inside first."

******""""""

The imperial court of Dagon stood beneath towering black pillars carved with ancient runes older than most kingdoms themselves.

Cold morning light filtered through enormous stained-glass windows overhead, painting the marble floors in shades of crimson and gold while nobles filled the chamber in carefully arranged rows beneath the throne platform.

The atmosphere felt tense today.

Unnaturally tense.

Whispers moved quietly between ministers while armored guards lined the walls like unmoving statues. Every noble present carried the same careful expression people often wore inside dangerous places.

And the imperial court was very dangerous.

Especially now.

At the center of the throne platform sat Emperor Davian of Dagon.

The newly crowned ruler rested one hand lazily against the arm of his throne while sharp silver eyes observed the court below with calm indifference. Unlike his late father, Davian lacked warmth entirely.

He ruled like winter itself.

Beautiful, silently and deadly.

And the empire had begun learning that fact very quickly.

Several elders stood near the center of the court discussing trade disputes from the southern territories while scribes hurried to record every word spoken within the chamber.

"The grain shortages continue rising near the western provinces," one minister explained carefully. "If taxes remain unchanged through winter, the merchants may begin hoarding supplies."

Another noble immediately scoffed.

"Then execute several merchants publicly. The others will behave."

Murmurs spread quietly through the room.

Davian finally spoke.

"No."

Silence fell instantly.

The emperor’s voice had not risen.

Yet somehow the single word carried enough authority to suffocate the entire chamber.

Davian leaned back slightly afterward, his expression unreadable.

"You solve panic by stabilizing supply routes," he said calmly. "Not by creating corpses in market streets."

The noble immediately lowered his head.

"My apologies, Your Majesty."

Davian’s gaze lingered on him briefly.

Cold.

Heavy.

Then finally moved away.

"Reduce western trade tariffs temporarily," the emperor ordered. "And place royal inspectors across the merchant routes. Anyone caught hoarding supplies loses their property."

A pause.

"Legally."

Several ministers visibly relaxed afterward.

The emperor might have looked calm, but everyone inside the chamber understood something important already.

Davian was not irrational.

He was controlled.

And somehow that frightened them more.

Another elder stepped forward cautiously afterward.

"Your Majesty...there is also concern regarding the northern border disappearances."

The atmosphere shifted again immediately.

Several nobles exchanged uneasy looks.

Even now, rumors regarding the northern territories continued spreading throughout the empire.

Travelers disappearing.

Villages growing empty.

Lights moving through forests at night.

People whispered about curses now.

About monsters.

About ancient things waking beneath Dagon.

Davian’s silver gaze lifted slightly.

"The investigation?"

A second later...

someone finally moved from the shadows near the far side of the court.

Xandros.

The moment the Duke stepped forward, the atmosphere inside the chamber tightened visibly.

Dark formal clothing rested perfectly against his tall frame while his expression remained as unreadable as ever. Nobles instinctively lowered their voices whenever he walked near them.

Predators recognized stronger predators naturally.

And Xandros stood at the very top of that food chain.

One elder cleared his throat nervously.

"Your Grace, what progress has been made regarding the disappearances?"

Xandros looked mildly inconvenienced by the question.

"The forests are dangerous."

Several nobles blinked.

The elder frowned slightly.

"...That is your report?"

"Yes."

The silence afterward became painful.

One younger minister looked horrified.

"That explains nothing."

Xandros’ grey eyes shifted toward him slowly.

"It explains enough."

The minister immediately shut his mouth.

Davian watched the exchange quietly from his throne before speaking again.

"Continue."

Xandros remained calm.

"There is unnatural activity near the northern borders. Civilians are advised to avoid forest routes until further notice."

"And the cause?" another elder pressed carefully.

Xandros’ expression did not change.

"Still under investigation."

Dry.

Simple.

Uselessly vague.

Yet strangely...

nobody dared push him too far.

Because everyone inside the court knew the same thing.

If the Duke himself described something as dangerous...

then it was probably far worse than they imagined.

One older noble finally stepped forward carefully afterward.

"Your Majesty, perhaps the royal knights should be deployed toward the north..."

"No."

Davian interrupted immediately.

The emperor’s gaze sharpened slightly.

"Sending large military forces into unknown territory creates panic."

"But Your Majesty..."

"I said no."

This time...

his authority slammed through the chamber hard enough to silence everyone instantly.

The noble froze.

Davian sat forward slightly on his throne afterward, his eyes cold enough to cut.

"You are mistaking my caution for weakness," he said softly.

That tone frightened people more than shouting ever could.

The noble immediately dropped to one knee.

"My deepest apologies."

The emperor leaned back once more.

"Do not question my judgment publicly ever."

Sweat visibly formed along the man’s forehead.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The court remained silent afterward.

Heavy silence.

Until finally Davian dismissed the remaining matters with a wave of his hand.

"Continue the investigations. Increase border patrols discreetly and suppress unnecessary rumors within the capital."

The ministers bowed immediately.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

One by one, the nobles began leaving the chamber afterward while quiet conversations slowly returned throughout the court halls.

Xandros turned to leave as well.

"Duke Xandros."

He stopped.

Davian rested his chin lightly against one hand while observing him from the throne.

"Remain."

The chamber emptied completely several minutes later until only guards remained stationed along the distant walls.

Then finally...

Davian stood.

The emperor descended the throne platform slowly before approaching Xandros directly.

"You look handsome," Davian noted casually.

"I know that."

Davian hummed softly.

"I assumed you would."

Xandros remained silent.

The emperor eventually produced a sealed letter from within his robes afterward before extending it toward him.

"This arrived from Everbloom this morning."

That earned a slight pause.

Xandros took the letter calmly before breaking the royal seal open.

His eyes scanned the contents briefly.

Then one brow lifted slightly.

Interesting.

Davian watched him carefully.

"The king of Everbloom is hosting a winter ball," the emperor explained. "And apparently wishes to strengthen diplomatic relations."

Xandros looked unimpressed.

"He invited half the continent."

"Yes," Davian replied dryly. "But more importantly..."

His silver gaze sharpened faintly.

"He specifically invited his daughter and her husband."

Rosaline.

Xandros looked back toward the letter once more.

A winter ball.

In Everbloom.

The kingdom Rosaline had not returned to since her marriage.

The kingdom filled with memories she clearly disliked discussing.

Interesting timing though.

Davian crossed both arms afterward.

"You may handle the invitation however you see fit."

Xandros folded the letter calmly.

"I’ll consider it."

A faint smirk almost touched the emperor’s lips.

"That poor kingdom truly has no idea what they’ve invited into their palace."

Xandros glanced at him once.

"Neither did Dagon."

Davian actually laughed softly at that.

The emperor stepped back toward the throne platform afterward.

"Dismissed."

Xandros nodded once before turning away.

The large court doors closed heavily behind him moments later.

Davian remained standing alone inside the now empty chamber.

His gaze lingered toward the exit where Xandros had disappeared.

Then quietly...

"At last," he murmured to himself, "you’ll finally leave Dagon for a while."

Something unreadable crossed his face afterward.

Outside the palace meanwhile...

Seth already waited beside the black imperial carriage with both hands shoved inside his pockets.

The moment Xandros approached, Seth raised one brow.

"You survived court. Impressive."

"It was boring."

"That usually means nobody died."

Xandros stepped toward the carriage.

"I need you to find Sarah."

Seth immediately straightened slightly.

His teasing expression faded.

"Ah."

He understood instantly.

Sarah was not summoned casually.

Which meant Xandros intended to prepare for something serious.

"Her grace?" Seth guessed.

Xandros entered the carriage smoothly.

"Yes."

Seth exhaled slowly.

"Well...this should become disastrous quickly."

"Probably."

The carriage doors closed.

Seth departed immediately afterward to handle the errand while Xandros leaned back against the dark interior silently.

The letter remained folded between his fingers.

Everbloom.

He could already imagine Rosaline’s expression once she learned about the invitation.

The thought alone almost amused him.

Meanwhile....

back at the mansion...

Rosaline sat directly in the middle of one of the main corridors like a deeply offended cat.

Servants passing through the hallway looked increasingly uncomfortable as they carefully stepped around her elegant figure seated near the wall with her chin resting dramatically against one hand.

Lily stood nearby watching the situation with visible concern.

"My Lady..."

Rosaline sighed heavily.

"I am bored."

"You’ve said that seven times already."

"I might say it again."

Lily stared at her.

Rosaline stared back.

Then sighed even louder.

The maids nearby immediately scattered faster.

Lily pinched the bridge of her nose.

"You could at least be bored somewhere less terrifying for the servants."

"I am not terrifying."

One passing servant nearly dropped an entire tray after making accidental eye contact with Rosaline.

Lily pointed immediately.

"See?"

Rosaline looked mildly offended.

"I was only sitting here quietly."

"You were staring into space like a ghost waiting for revenge."

Rosaline ignored that accusation completely.

Truthfully...

the mansion felt strangely empty today.

Too quiet.

And unfortunately...

she had finally realized why.

Xandros was gone.

The realization itself annoyed her slightly.

How had she already become this used to his presence?

How come?

Lily suddenly narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

"...You’re not bored because of the Duke, are you?"

Rosaline sat upright immediately.

"What? No."

Lily gasped dramatically.

"Oh my gods. It is because of a man."

"It is not!"

"You’ve grown tired of my company already!"

Rosaline looked horrified.

"That is not what I meant!"

Lily clutched her chest dramatically anyway.

"I raised you better than this."

"You did not raise me!"

Before Lily could continue the performance further, the butler finally approached them calmly from farther down the corridor.

The older man bowed politely.

"Your Grace."

Rosaline immediately looked toward him hopefully.

"Yes?"

The butler hesitated briefly before speaking.

"If you find yourself bored, perhaps you would enjoy visiting the mansion library."

Rosaline froze.

"...The mansion has a library?"

The butler blinked once.

"Yes."

Rosaline stared at him in complete disbelief.

Slowly...

very slowly...

she stood up.

Lily watched her carefully.

"My Lady..."

Rosaline turned toward the butler with the seriousness of someone discovering hidden treasure.

"Take me there immediately."She squeaked and the butler looked genuinely amused.