Court of the Council of Vassal States, Ancorna Empire, Capital of the Kingdom of Estra

  The sun crept over the grand marble walls of the high security Court of the Council of Vassal States, casting long, golden rays across its elaborate corridors. Today marked the second day of the emergency session, and early arrivals clustered in quiet discussion, their hushed voices reverberating against the vaulted ceilings.

  Prince Landon Solarius, his posture straight but his expression strained, stood deep in conversation with Justice Minister Kimmel. Their dialogue seemed urgent, but their words were lost to the hum of the corridor’s activity. It wasn’t long before another figure approached them, his confident strides announcing his presence.

  “Well, well, look who decided to be early today,” said Prince William. His smile carried an air of mockery, his tone sharp. “Let’s hope you’re not the one speaking as the representative today. Perhaps Justice Minister Kimmel will spare us another disaster.”

  Landon gave his brother a polite yet icy smile. “A very good morning to you too, brother.”

  William’s words were a provocation, but they held true. Yesterday’s session had been a disaster for Landon. He had found himself cornered by two opposing factions who accused the imperial court of favoritism for considering aid to the Morgen Dukedom. Their resistance had left the imperial faction faltering, with Landon’s lack of negotiation skills laid bare for all to see.

  The stakes were high. Both brothers needed the Council’s approval to send imperial forces to aid the dukedom. For Landon, success meant repairing his fragile reputation in the imperial court, while for William, it was an opportunity to further his growing influence in the ongoing succession battle for the throne.

  Justice Minister Kimmel, standing beside Landon, spoke up, his voice calm but firm. “His Highness Landon is precisely discussing how we might achieve that today, Your Highness William.”

  Landon’s expression flickered, revealing a mix of determination and self-awareness. He knew his shortcomings and had enlisted Kimmel’s support to bridge the gap in his abilities today.

  Before William could retort, a familiar figure approached. Duke Kevin Morgen, maternal uncle to the Solarius princes, walked toward them. His measured steps and composed demeanor demanded attention, though his sharp eyes hinted at a subtle disdain.

  “Good morning, Uncle Kevin,” Landon greeted warmly, bowing slightly.

  William followed suit, inclining his head. “Good morning, Uncle.”

  Duke Kevin returned their greetings with a sardonic smile. “Ah, good morning to you too, my dearly troubling nephews,” he said, his tone dripping with passive aggressiveness.

  Landon, undeterred, pressed forward. “We were just discussing how to convince the Foster Liam faction to approve imperial aid. Your insight into the dire situation in your dukedom would be invaluable during the next audience. Perhaps you might speak on the matter?”

  William, ever observant, watched the exchange closely, his sharp mind piecing together to figure out his next moves.

  Duke Kevin’s smile did not waver, but his response was laced with thinly veiled hostility. “I would not do such a thing, Your Highness. I am quite confident that the Kingdom of Estra and my dukedom are capable of handling this matter without interference.”

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  Both princes exchanged puzzled glances, their expressions tinged with disbelief.

  “But… this session was convened because of the request for imperial aid,” Landon said, his tone hesitant.

  The duke’s demeanor shifted slightly, his words now carrying a calculated edge. “I am not as clever as my late sister, your mother, the Empress Dahlia Solarius, but I am clever enough to recognize a scheme when I see one.” He paused, glancing around subtly to ensure no prying ears were present before continuing. “I sent my request for mages directly to the imperial court. Yet somehow, Prince Finel intercepted it and called an emergency session. Curious, isn’t it?”

  The implication was clear, even though the words were vague. Duke Kevin’s sharp gaze landed on Landon, and his meaning struck like a thunderclap.

  “It seems someone intends to make this situation far larger than it is,” the duke continued, his tone venomously polite. “Someone who would gain significant favor among the nobility for resolving it. Securing imperial aid for the Morgen Dukedom, dealing with the Conley Empire, and ‘heroically’ assisting with the eighth-floor dungeon might just bolster such a person’s standing, wouldn’t it?”

  William’s expression remained neutral, though inwardly, he smirked at how precisely Duke Kevin had deduced Landon’s motives. Landon’s plan to use this crisis to elevate himself in the court was unraveling before his eyes.

  Duke Kevin, ever the tactician, added one final blow before departing. “Oh, and one more thing. I remain fiercely loyal to Ravenna, as per your mother’s wishes. In case you were wondering, her health is fine. She suffered a mild illness upon arriving at Jola Island but has since recovered. Alive and well, thankfully.”

  The mention of Ravenna hung heavy in the air. Duke Kevin’s loyalty to her was unwavering, even in her absence.

  The duke’s spies had kept him informed of Ravenna’s condition, and his idea of planting message flowers, disguised as from William and Emperor Andrew, ensured she knew someone was watching her and Duke Kevin thought as a clever person Ravenna would have already figured out it was him.

  With a curt nod, Duke Kevin turned and strode into the council chamber, leaving the two princes standing in his wake. Landon’s fists clenched at his sides, his expression dark with frustration. While William was shocked he was sure he had poisoned Ravenna before her departure to Jola island, she should be dead by now but apparently she is alive and well?

  Lord’s Castle, Jola City, Jola Island

  Ravenna slumped over her ornate desk, the soft golden light from the hanging chandelier casting flickering shadows across the room. Her study was richly adorned, filled with shelves of books, an assortment of maps sprawled on the table, and an untouched cup of tea growing cold beside her. She rested her head in her hands, frustration evident in the way her fingers raked through her long, dark hair.

  "Ugh... What is wrong with these people?!" she growled, her voice echoing off the polished stone walls. It wasn’t the first time she had vented her frustrations to the silent, unfeeling surroundings.

  Jola Island’s been plagued by a constant high crime rate. Despite her best efforts to restore order, every new anti-crime policy she introduced seemed to crumble against the sheer audacity of the island’s lawbreakers.

  "Am I leading a city or babysitting criminals?" she muttered under her breath, glaring at the documents piled high in front of her. They were reports from her knights: lists of stolen goods, sexual assaults, and increasingly bold crimes. It was a tide she could barely hold back, and the strain was starting to show.

  [ Reputation System v0.1 ]

  The faint glow of the system interface appeared before her, the translucent panel hovering in the air. Ravenna rubbed her temples and stared at it with a mixture of resignation and irritation.

  User: Ravenna Solarius / Joy Cha Kim

  Reputation Level: 60 (8021/8200)

  Current Reputation Points: 2,321

  Titles: Raven of the Sun Palace, Unruly Princess

  { View Reputation Log } { Spend Reputation Points }

  “And my points... they're dropping so fast,” she groaned, swiping her hand through the air to scroll through the interface. The holographic text shifted fluidly under her command, and she studied it with a critical eye. "I can’t keep spending hours surfing through the internet to solve this one single issue, it’s eating away all the points."