The capital city of Citadel was a testament to the kingdom's power, a city of towering clockwork automatons and steam-powered vehicles that moved with a rhythmic hum. In the heart of the city, within the throne room of the King's palace, a long, ornate table had been set for a very private meeting.
At the head of the table, flanked by guards in polished, brass armor, sat the King and Queen. Beside the King stood his secretary, a tall man holding a large, leather-bound book.
He cleared his throat, his voice echoing slightly in the grand room.
"Gentlemen, esteemed Barons of the Citadel, his Royal Majesty, King Regis, welcomes you all to this assembly."
He paused, then began to read from the book.
"Present today, we have:
Baron Elias Sterling of the City of Sterling, Baron Julian Alistair of the City of Alistair, Baron Jasper Rhodes of the City of Rhodes, Baron Leif Croft of the City of Croft, and Baron Calvin Reed of the City of Reed."
He closed the book with a soft thud and looked at the King.
"All are accounted for, Your Majesty."
The King nodded, straightening his posture slightly. He cleared his throat and adjusted his collar.
"Thank you, Edmund. I am glad you could all make it on such short notice. We have a lot to discuss, but first, I'd like to begin by expressing our profound–"
A cough, sharp and dismissive, came from down the table. It was Baron Leif. He didn't bother to look at the King, instead running a finger along the finely carved wood of the table.
"Forgive the interruption, Your Majesty,"
Leif said, his tone lacking any true apology.
"But I'm sure we'd all prefer to cut through the pleasantries. It's been far too long since the tragic passing of our dear friend, Baron Caspian. The city of Thorne has been left without proper leadership, and the people… well, the people are growing restless."
A chorus of agreement, a low murmur of voices, rose from the other barons.
Baron Julian, a short man with a groomed mustache, chimed in.
"He's right. A city cannot survive without a Baron to guide it. Thorne needs a head. A leader."
Baron Elias leaned forward, his hands clasped neatly on the table.
"Has there been any word on a survivor from Caspian's Family? The city is in disarray, but surely there was a family member who could continue the line?"
The other barons looked at each other, none of them able to answer. They knew that Baron Thorne had a family, but they had no idea if any of them had survived the tragedy.
A small smile played on the face of Baron Calvin. The others' wary eyes turned to him.
"My apologies, gentlemen, for my silence. I just never thought to mention it."
He looked at the King, a polite deference in his gaze that didn't quite reach his eyes.
"There is, in fact, a survivor from the Thorne family."
The room went completely still.
Baron Jasper narrowed his eyes, leaning forward on his elbows. His voice was low and laced with suspicion.
"And how would you have knowledge of that, Calvin? Every member of the family was presumed dead. What have you been hiding from us?"
Calvin chuckled softly, leaning back in his chair.
"Calm yourselves. There's no need to make a scene in front of our esteemed monarchs."
He gave a short glance toward the King and Queen before returning his gaze to the barons.
"The survivor has been living in my manor for the time being. I've been letting him stay with me while I figure out what to do with him. He's just a boy, after all. Barely a man. In fact, he just turned nine some days back."
Julian furrowed his brow, his concern seeming genuine.
"And you've said nothing? Do you have any idea the amount of trouble you could have caused by harboring an heir to a barony, no less, without telling us?"
Calvin just shrugged.
"It wasn't relevant. He's a child. What threat does a child pose to us?"
Elias, ever the formal one, spoke up next.
"Regardless of the danger, it's a matter of protocol. We'll need to verify this claim. We need his name."
Calvin smiled a cold, calculating smile.
"Emmett Thorne."
A wave of murmuring swept through the room. Some of the barons began to whisper to each other, their initial suspicion giving way to outright confusion.
Baron Julian leaned in toward his neighbors, a deep frown on his face.
"Emmett? Who is Emmett? I don't recall Caspian having a son by that name. Was it not Federick?"
Baron Jasper gave a short, dismissive wave of his hand.
"Federick was the firstborn. But I never heard a word about a second son."
His gaze was fixed on Calvin, a cold glint in his eye.
"What are you playing at, Calvin? A name like that can't be so easily forgotten. Are you sure you haven't just invented a child to claim the barony for your own?"
Calvin remained calm, a slight smile on his face.
"I am not playing any games, Jasper. I am simply telling you what I know. The boy's name is Emmett. He is the son of the late Baron Caspian."
Baron Elias stepped in, his voice measured.
"Julian, Jasper, calm yourselves. It's possible we simply forgot. Caspian was a very private man. I do, in fact, recall mention of a second child. A younger one, kept from the public eye. It would make sense, given the times."
Julian looked unconvinced.
"A second child, perhaps. But why would he hide him? And why, of all places, would this child end up in your manor, Calvin?"
"My manor is a safe place for a child who has just lost his family,"
Calvin replied, his voice even and unbothered.
"He was found in the wreckage and taken in by me. It was a matter of mercy, not a political ploy."
Baron Leif, who had been silent up until now, spoke with a low, impatient growl.
"This is a waste of time. Mercy is a matter for the church, not a political assembly. If this child exists and has a claim, we will find out. There are records for a reason."
He looked at Calvin with a look of pure coldness.
"We'll run a background check. A full one. His name, his age, his parentage. Everything will be verified. Only then will we make a decision."
The King, who had been watching the exchange with a mixture of fear and relief, seized the opportunity. He stood up, his voice barely a whisper above the tension in the room.
"Yes. A background check. An excellent idea. The matter is adjourned until we have the necessary information."
The barons stood, their goodbyes strained and perfunctory. Each of them gave a short, stiff nod to the King and Queen before walking out, their hushed whispers and wary glances toward Calvin filling the hall.
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Meanwhile, just outside the outskirts of Citadel, a metallic automobile hummed with the power of steam, making it's way to the kingdom. A driver sat at the wheel, his eyes fixed on the path ahead. In the back, a woman sat, her hands folded neatly on her lap. Beside her, a young girl with bright, curious eyes looked out the window, watching the landscape roll by. The gears of the vehicle turned with a hypnotic hum, and the soft hiss of steam from the valves filled the air outside.
The woman smiled softly.
"Are you excited to meet your father, Cecilia?"
The girl, Cecilia, turned to her mother, a bright smile on her face.
"It's been a while, Mother. I can't wait to see him."