The journey from Dravograd to Lady Seraphina's estate in Temeria was a carefully orchestrated maneuver for Alaric. He allowed himself to play the part of the quietly grateful, slightly overwhelmed orphan, occasionally offering a fleeting, wistful look back at the receding cityscape. Seraphina, completely taken by her self-assigned role as his benevolent rescuer, saw only the innocence and tragic purity she had, quite literally, been made to perceive. She fussed over his comfort, ensuring his every need was met, entirely unaware that she was merely a courier, transporting a predator into the heart of the kingdom.
The estate itself was a sprawling, albeit modest, complex of timber and stone, nestled amidst rolling hills. It lacked the immediate strategic importance of a major city or a fortified castle, but that was precisely its appeal to Aizen. It was a quiet vantage point, close enough to Temeria's political heart, yet far enough removed to operate without constant scrutiny. Here, he could observe the inner workings of a noble house, understand its daily rhythms, its vulnerabilities, and its connections to the wider court.
Alaric's days settled into a new routine. He was given a comfortable room, access to a small, if somewhat outdated, private library, and the tutelage of an elderly, doddering tutor who was easily swayed by Alaric's feigned eagerness to learn and his subtle, precise questions. He continued to immerse himself in Temerian history and political intrigue, absorbing genealogies, land disputes, and the intricate web of loyalties and rivalries that defined King Foltest's court. He noted the pervasive undercurrent of anxiety regarding Nilfgaard, the king's increasingly erratic behavior, and the simmering resentments among the minor nobility.
His Kyōka Suigetsu was now a fluid, almost instinctive tool. He used it to influence the staff of the estate: a cook would inexplicably favor him with choice portions, a stable boy would find himself compelled to offer the finest riding horse, and a maid would overlook his late-night excursions to the library's more restricted sections. No one questioned the boy's odd routines, their perceptions subtly bent to see only what was convenient. He was becoming truly invisible in plain sight, his influence expanding with every quiet interaction.
Aizen's primary focus, however, was on Lady Seraphina's social circle. He observed her interactions with visiting nobles and dignitaries, listening to their gossip, their ambitions, and their fears. He quickly identified key figures: a frustrated baron seeking greater land, a jaded countess yearning for influence, and a pompous knight desperate for glory. These were the next layer of pawns, larger and more influential than those in Dravograd.
He began his work on Baron Von Hertzig, a frequent visitor to the estate, known for his vast landholdings but perpetual dissatisfaction with his influence at court. Aizen subtly influenced conversations Seraphina had with the Baron, weaving in carefully crafted 'insights' about neglected opportunities or overlooked alliances that would benefit Hertzig. When Hertzig himself was present, Alaric would subtly guide his eyes to a specific passage in a news gazette or a map, imbuing it with a sense of profound, undeniable truth.
One particularly telling incident involved a seemingly innocuous game of gwent. Baron Hertzig was on the verge of making a safe, but uninspired, move. Alaric, quietly observing, projected a powerful, almost irresistible urge into Hertzig's mind – a vision of a daring, risky play that, if successful, would secure a decisive victory. It was a gambit Hertzig wouldn't normally consider.
The Baron's hand trembled slightly. "A madness," he muttered, then, with a strange glint in his eye, he slammed down a card that defied all conventional wisdom. His opponent, momentarily flustered by the unexpected aggression, made a mistake. Hertzig won.
"Unbelievable!" Hertzig roared, triumphantly slapping the table. "A stroke of pure genius! I don't know what came over me!" He looked at Alaric, a strange sense of wonder in his eyes, as if the boy somehow radiated luck.
Alaric offered a small, knowing smile. Not luck, Baron. Only perfect manipulation. Hertzig's small, uncharacteristic victory would embolden him, making him more susceptible to bolder, riskier ideas – ideas that would inevitably serve Aizen's grand design.
News from the front lines of the war against Nilfgaard became increasingly grim. Fortresses fell. Armies were routed. The unity of the Northern Kingdoms was shattered, replaced by suspicion and infighting. King Foltest, desperate, began to rely more heavily on his mages and advisors. Aizen saw this as a golden opportunity. The closer he could get to the king's inner circle, the more effectively he could steer the kingdom's fate. His time in the noble cage was proving exceptionally productive. He was not merely observing; he was preparing to move a king.