The secret council had underestimated him.
They had made their first strike through Daemon Syveris, attempting to destabilize House Silver Star from the shadows.
Yet, Lucien had turned their own pawn against them, unraveling their influence without ever revealing his direct involvement.
Now, the game had changed.
Because true power was not only about control—it was about ensuring the enemy never realized they had already lost.
---
### The Council's Retaliation
Silence.
For days, there was no response.
No hidden letters. No political maneuvers. No whispers of dissent.
But Lucien knew better.
A force operating in the shadows would never accept defeat so easily.
Which meant only one possibility—they were preparing their next move in secrecy.
And if they had learned anything from their failed attempt, it was that direct confrontation would no longer work.
They would change their approach.
Which meant Lucien needed to be ahead of them before their plan was even in motion.
---
### Deception Meets Illusion
The greatest trick was never the illusion itself.
It was convincing the audience that reality had already changed.
Lucien spent hours refining his next layer of control—adjusting the perception of key nobles, planting subtle thoughts that shifted their trust toward him and away from the invisible forces lurking beyond court politics.
If the council wished to strike again, they would find their influence already eroded before they even began.
Because by the time their next play unfolded, noble society would already view Lucien as the true power within their ranks.
---
### The Unexpected Arrival
Just as the final steps of his deception fell into place, a messenger arrived.
This time, the letter bore an insignia—a crest unfamiliar to noble houses.
Lucien studied the wax seal carefully before breaking it open.
The words inside were not a warning.
They were an invitation.
"If power is meant to be ruled, then let us discuss who truly controls it.
The council does not make errors twice. We await your presence in two days' time.
Come alone, or come deceived."
---
### The Decision That Shifts the Game
For the first time, the council had acknowledged him directly.
Not as a pawn.
Not as an anomaly.
But as a player worthy of the unseen war.
The invitation was not simple diplomacy—it was a test, a challenge wrapped in careful words.
And now, Lucien had two paths before him.
1. Accept the meeting—walk into the shadows, confront the unseen rulers, and begin the next phase of domination.
2. Reject the offer—force them into uncertainty, ensure they remain in the dark, and manipulate them without ever allowing them to control the terms.
Either choice held risk.
But Lucien knew one truth—this council would never realize the real game had already begun the moment they acknowledged him as an equal.