A weary historian dies and finds himself in a different world awakened in a life as the notorious young Duke of a southern state. His nation is weakened, his army underfed, and his neighbors revolve around his lands menacingly. No one believes his land is going to hold out until winter.

But this newfound duke is no naive simpleton his enemies recollect. He carries with him the experience of centuries of war and empire, of starting and ending monarchies. From Caesar to Napoleon, from the Mongols to world wars, he has learned from each of them—and his strategy is to make history his very own arms.

He organizes his smashed levies into well-trained formations, rebuilds his castles, and turns his villages into supply centers. Where others see defeat, he senses opportunity. As he triumphs, rumors spread: of a pennant red as winter snow that shall not go to ground, of a bloody duke who writes his name in gore and flame.

Is he a savior who's constructing a new empire, or a tyrant who's going to bring the world to endless war?

A deep roll of drums silenced the chatter as every noble turned toward the grand staircase at the end of the hall.


Trumpets followed, clear, regal, and impossibly loud.


"The royal family has arrived!" the herald declared.


Justinian straightened his posture, hand resting calmly behind his back as his mind began to calculate a dozen scenarios at once.


This was the first time he would meet King Arthur Renillus, not the vague, idealized monarch from the novel, but the real one.


Gold and scarlet poured down the staircase as the royal family descended — the king at the lead, his expression as cold as sculpted marble.


Behind him walked the queen, every step deliberate, eyes sharp and appraising. The two princes followed, one bored, one curious, and a single princess whose smile seemed both genuine and dangerous.


Chapter 72 - The Grand Ball (2)