Court of the cil of Vassal States, Ana Empire, Capital of the Kingdom of Estra

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

  Prince Landon Sorius, his posture straight but his expression strained, stood deep in versation 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 anure approached them, his fident strides announg 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 m 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 ered by two opposing fas who accused the imperial court of favoritism for sidering aid to the Men Dukedom. Their resistance had left the imperial fa faltering, with Landon’s ck of iation skills id bare for all to see.

  The stakes were high. Both brothers he cil’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 portunity to further his growing influen 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, Yhness William.”

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

  Before William could retort, a familiar figure approached. Duke Kevin Men, maternal uo the Sorius princes, walked toward them. His measured steps and posed demeanor dematention, though his sharp eyes hi a subtle disdain.

  “Good m, Uncle Kevin,” Landoed warmly, bowing slightly.

  William followed suit, ining his head. “Good m, Uncle.”

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

  Landon, uerred, pressed forward. “We were just discussing how to vihe Foster Liam fa to approve imperial aid. Your insight into the dire situation in your dukedom would be invaluable during the audience. Perhaps you might speak oter?”

  William, ever observant, watched the exge closely, his sharp mind pieg together to figure out his moves.

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

  Both princes exged puzzled gheir expressions tinged with disbelief.

  “But… this session was vened because of the request for imperial aid,” Landon said, his toant.

  The duke’s demeanor shifted slightly, his words now carrying a calcuted edge. “I am not as clever as my te sister, your mother, the Empress Dahlia Sorius, but I am clever enough tnize a scheme when I see one.” He paused, gng around subtly to ensure n ears were present before tinuing. “I sent my request fes 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 nded on Landon, and his meaning struck like a thundercp.

  “It seems someoends to make this situation far rger than it is,” the duke tinued, his tone venomously polite. “Someone who would gain signifit favor among the nobility for resolving it. Seg imperial aid for the Men Dukedom, dealing with the ley Empire, and ‘heroically’ assisting with the eighth-floor dungeon might just bolster such a person’s standing, wouldn’t it?”

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

  Duke Kevin, ever the tacti, 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 w, her health is fine. She suffered a mild illness upon arriving at Jo Isnd 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 dition, and his idea of pnting message flowers, disguised as from William and Emperor Andrew, ensured she knew someone was watg 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 cil chamber, leaving the two prianding in his wake. Landon’s fists ched at his sides, his expression dark with frustration. While William was shocked he was sure he had poisoned Ravenna before her departure to Jo isnd, she should be dead by now but apparently she is alive and well?

  Lord’s Castle, Jo City, Jo Isnd

  Ravenna slumped over her ornate desk, the soft golden light from the hanging delier casting flickering shadows across the room. Her study was richly adorned, filled with shelves of books, an assortment of maps sprawled oable, 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 eg off the polished stone walls. It wasn’t the first time she had vented her frustrations to the silent, unfeeling surroundings.

  Jo Isnd’s been pgued by a stant 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 isnd’s wbreakers.

  "Am I leading a city or babysitting criminals?" she muttered under her breath, gring at the dots 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 translut panel h in the air. Ravenna rubbed her temples and stared at it with a mixture nation and irritation.

  User: Ravenna Sorius / Joy Cha KimReputation Level: 60 (8021/8200)Curreation Points: 2,321Titles: Raven of the Sun Pace, Unruly Princess{ View Reputation Log } { Speation 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 and, and she studied it with a critical eye. "I ’t keep spending hours surfing through the i to solve this one single issue, it’s eating away all the points."

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