Catherine moved through the manor's corridors toward her bedroom, still testing the subtle shifts in her body that came with Apex realm. Every step felt more controlled, more precise, as if her body finally matched the discipline she'd spent years cultivating.
'He actually did it.'
Peak Enhanced to Apex in hours. Something that should have been impossible, delivered as casually as a dinner invitation.
'Three months to Peak Apex,' she thought, confidence settling like armor. Maybe beyond.
'Six months until succession.'
'More than enough time.'
Her thoughts shifted to Richard, and something cold crystallized in her chest.
'You made a grave mistake. You assumed James's failure had broken me. That I'd be scrambling while you consolidated power.'
She flexed her fingers, feeling Apex-enhanced strength respond.
'I'm going to take back everything you stole. Every vassal family. Every political advantage. And then I'll teach you exactly where you belong.'
