Time/Date: TC1853.01.12-13 (Afternoon to Evening)
Location: Brenner Estate → Imperial Palace
Prince Kael Xuán arrived at the Brenner estate with the kind of cold fury that only came from realizing you'd been played for a fool. His golden eyes held none of their usual calculated charm—just the hard edge of someone who'd spent three days piecing together exactly how thoroughly he'd been manipulated.
The footman who answered the door took one look at his expression and wisely chose not to make small talk.
"Lord Garrick is expecting you, Your Highness. This way."
Kael followed through corridors that dripped with aggressive opulence. Every surface proclaimed wealth—gilded salamanders in the marble, silk tapestries depicting agricultural triumphs, portraits of Brenner ancestors who'd clawed their way up from dirt.
Merchants playing at nobility, he thought with barely concealed disdain. And I almost let them manipulate me into marriage based on lies.
The footman opened the door to Garrick's study, and Kael entered without waiting for announcement. The old merchant prince sat behind his massive shadowwood desk, pale green eyes sharp despite his ninety years.
"Your Highness," Garrick greeted with carefully calculated respect. Not obsequious—that would insult them both. Just the appropriate deference of successful merchant to imperial heir. "Thank you for coming."
"I didn't come for pleasantries," Kael said flatly, closing the door himself. Privacy was essential for this conversation. "I came for answers. Starting with why I should believe a single word from your family after learning you've been harboring a stolen celestial daughter for seventeen years."
Garrick's weathered face showed no surprise at the blunt attack. Good. Kael hadn't expected groveling, and would have respected the old man less if he'd gotten it.
"Because," Garrick said with equal bluntness, "despite the... complications... with Mara's origins, everything I told you about Amara is true. She is worth more than you realize. And I can prove it."
"Then prove it." Kael remained standing, a deliberate choice that kept him looming over the seated merchant. "Because right now, all I see is a family of liars who drugged me, framed me, and nearly destroyed my reputation."
"Selene drugged you," Garrick corrected. "Selene orchestrated that scheme without my knowledge or approval. She has been dealt with accordingly and will face justice for her actions." He leaned forward slightly. "But Amara had nothing to do with the drugging. The police investigation will confirm this—Selene is taking full responsibility."
"How convenient." Kael's voice dripped sarcasm. "The mother falls on her sword to protect the daughter."
"The mother protects what's valuable." Garrick met his gaze steadily. "As any parent would. But that's not what you're here to discuss, is it? You're here because despite everything, you still want Amara. And you're trying to decide if she's worth the scandal."
The accuracy of that assessment made Kael's jaw tighten. He did still want Amara—the girl who'd saved his life, who'd shown him devotion when everyone else saw him as a political tool. But he wasn't fool enough to ignore the web of lies surrounding her anymore.
"Tell me why," Kael demanded. "Give me one reason I should trust anything about your granddaughter."
Garrick studied him for a long moment, then made a decision. "Because Amara is a Seer. A real one. Seventy-five percent accuracy across hundreds of predictions over eight years."
The words fell like stones into still water.
Kael felt his breath catch. A Seer. An actual, verified Seer with high accuracy. Those were rarer than phoenix feathers and worth more than entire kingdoms. Families rose to Ascendant status on the strength of having one Seer. Empires were built on their predictions.
"You're lying," he said, but his voice lacked conviction.
"I'm not." Garrick opened a drawer and withdrew a leather-bound journal. "This contains records of every prediction Amara has made since her gifts manifested at age nine. Dates, witnesses, outcomes. All documented. All verified."
He pushed the journal across the desk. "Read it. Check the records. You'll find that seventy-five percent of her predictions came true exactly as she described them."
Kael picked up the journal with hands that wanted to tremble. He forced them steady as he opened to a random page.
TC1845.03.15 - Prediction: Warehouse fire in the merchant district, third building from the eastern gate. Three days hence.
TC1845.03.18 - Outcome: Fire occurred exactly as predicted. Building destroyed, but evacuation prevented casualties thanks to advance warning.
Another page.
TC1847.07.22 - Prediction: Wu clan succession crisis within six months. The eldest son will be passed over in favor of the third.
TC1848.01.14 - Outcome: Confirmed. Wu clan patriarch named third son as heir, citing the eldest's "unsuitability for leadership."
Kael flipped through page after page of similar entries. Predictions ranging from minor events to major political shifts. All documented. All verified. And roughly three-quarters of them had come true.
"Why keep this secret?" he asked quietly, still reading. "A Seer of this caliber could name her price. Any family would—"
"Any family would try to control her," Garrick interrupted. "The Seer Council would claim jurisdiction. The imperial family would demand oversight. Other nobles would attempt kidnapping or forced marriage. We've kept her abilities hidden to protect her freedom."
That made a twisted sort of sense. Seers were too valuable to be left uncontrolled. The moment Amara's abilities became public knowledge, she'd lose all autonomy. Become a political asset to be managed rather than a person with agency.
"And you're telling me now because?"
"Because you're already engaged to her," Garrick said bluntly. "Because the scandal from the banquet makes this marriage politically necessary regardless of her abilities. And because I'm offering you something no other imperial prince has ever possessed—exclusive access to a high-accuracy Seer who answers to no one but her husband."
Kael's mind raced through implications. A seventy-five percent accurate Seer as his personal resource. No Seer Council interference. No imperial oversight requiring him to share her predictions with his father or brothers. Just private, exclusive access to glimpse potential futures.
The political advantages would be staggering. He could outmaneuver rivals who never saw him coming. Avoid disasters others fell into. Position himself perfectly for succession conflicts.
But there was a catch. There was always a catch.
"What do you want in return?" Kael asked.
"Protection," Garrick said simply. "The baby swap investigation threatens my entire family. Selene will face punishment, yes. But the rest of us need assurances that we won't be destroyed by association. Your marriage to Amara provides that protection."
"By making you my family," Kael finished. "By giving you imperial connections that make pursuing you politically complicated."
"Exactly."
Kael set down the journal and moved to the window, staring out at the Brenner estate's ostentatious gardens. The salamander totem repeated everywhere, flames and transformation, the merchant family's declaration that they'd forged themselves into something greater.
The offer was tempting. Dangerously so. But there were problems.
"The Seer Council," Kael said. "If they learn about Amara's abilities, they'll claim jurisdiction regardless of her marital status. Seers are considered cosmic assets, subject to Council oversight."
"That's why we don't tell them," Garrick replied. "The marriage happens quietly. Amara's abilities remain our secret. She provides predictions only to you, in private, with no official record."
"And if the Council discovers this deception?"
"Then we deal with it from a position of strength—after the marriage, after imperial protection is secured." Garrick's voice hardened. "Better to beg forgiveness than ask permission. Especially when permission would mean losing everything."
Kael turned from the window to study the old merchant. "You want me to marry your granddaughter, knowing she's a Seer, without imperial or Council approval. That's treason against cosmic law."
"That's pragmatism," Garrick corrected. "The same pragmatism that built my fortune and your empire. The powerful take what they can and make the world accept it afterward."
He's not wrong, Kael admitted silently. The empire was built on exactly that philosophy. Take first, legitimize later.
But there were still complications.
"Proof," Kael demanded. "You've shown me a journal that could be fabricated. I need actual demonstration of her abilities."
"Of course." Garrick smiled slightly. "Amara is in the Rose Pavilion. She's expecting you. Ask her anything—any prediction, any glimpse of futures. Judge for yourself whether her gift is genuine."
TC1853.01.12, Evening - Rose Pavilion
Amara sat at her vanity when Kael entered, golden hair catching lamplight in ways that seemed calculated for maximum effect. She turned with perfectly calibrated surprise—not too much, just enough to seem genuine.
"Kael." Her voice carried warmth and uncertainty in equal measure. "Grandfather said you wanted to see me."
"He told me about your abilities," Kael said without preamble. No point dancing around it. "The Seer gifts. Are they real?"
Something flickered in her amber eyes—relief? calculation?—before her expression settled into gentle sadness. "I was afraid you'd learn. I wanted to tell you myself, but Grandfather insisted we keep it secret." She stood, hands twisting together. "Are you angry?"
"I'm skeptical," Kael corrected. He moved closer, studying her face for signs of deception. "Your grandfather claims seventy-five percent accuracy. Prove it."
Now, chosen daughter, the Devourer System whispered urgently in Amara's mind. I'll show you exactly what to say. Make him believe.
Amara's eyes took on that distant quality Seers adopted during visions—slightly unfocused, looking at something beyond normal sight. The performance was flawless, honed through years of practice.
"Ask me something," she said softly. "Something specific, something that will happen soon enough to verify."
Kael considered. It had to be something she couldn't easily fake or manipulate. Something verifiable and near-term.
"The imperial council meeting," he said. "Three days from now. What will my father announce?"
Perfect, the System calculated with cold efficiency. I've monitored imperial communications. I know exactly what will be discussed.
"Your father will announce the formation of a new trade delegation," Amara said, her voice taking on that eerie quality. "To the Western Federation. Led by your second brother, Prince Daren. The announcement will surprise the council—they expected military expansion discussion instead."
He's planning this as a surprise to shift attention from recent scandals, the System informed her. He'll frame it as opening new economic opportunities while privately using it to exile Daren from court politics.
"The trade delegation is cover," Amara continued. "Your father wants Daren away from succession discussions. The trip will last six months minimum."
Kael's expression remained neutral, but something shifted in his eyes. That was information he shouldn't have—information even most princes wouldn't know.
"How specific can you be?" he asked carefully.
"It depends," Amara replied, letting her "vision" fade. "Major events are clearer. Minor details are... fragmentary. But with seventy-five percent accuracy, most of what I see comes true."
Give him something else, the System urged. Something personal. Make him feel special.
"You're worried about the scandal," Amara said softly, meeting his gaze. "About how marrying me looks after the banquet incident. You're calculating whether the political damage is worth the benefits."
Kael stiffened. That was too accurate.
"I see a path forward," Amara continued. "The marriage happens quickly, before opposition can organize. The baby swap investigation provides cover—everyone focuses on that scandal while we secure the union. By the time attention returns to us, we're already bound."
"And the investigation itself?" Kael asked. "How does that resolve?"
Careful, the System warned. We can't predict Raven's actions. Focus on what we control.
"The investigation will... complicate things," Amara said, affecting uncertainty. "I see fragments. My mother facing justice. The rest of us weathering scrutiny. But we survive it." She moved closer. "Especially if we have imperial protection."
It was the right mix of specific prediction and strategic vagueness. Enough detail to seem genuine, enough uncertainty to explain away failures.
Kael studied her for a long moment, golden eyes searching for deception. Amara held his gaze with practiced vulnerability—the girl who'd saved his life, who possessed gifts she hadn't asked for, who wanted only to be with him despite the complications.
"If you're lying," Kael said quietly, "if this is another scheme—"
"It's not," Amara interrupted, reaching for his hands. "I swear it. My gift is real. And I want to use it to help you, to protect you, to ensure you succeed in everything you attempt."
Perfect performance, the System purred with satisfaction. He's wavering. Push harder.
"I know the timing is terrible," Amara said, tears beginning to well. "I know my family's scandal makes everything complicated. But I love you, Kael. I have since you were nine years old and I was barely aware enough to understand what that meant." Her voice broke beautifully. "Please don't let my mother's madness destroy what we could have together."
Kael's expression softened—not much, but enough. The combination of Seer abilities and emotional manipulation was working. He wanted to believe. Wanted the advantages she offered. Wanted the girl who'd saved his life to be real despite all evidence of deception.
"One condition," he said finally. "We formalize this with blood oaths. Marriage vows that bind even if your Seer status is revealed. Oaths that protect both of us—you from Council seizure, me from accusations of hiding cosmic assets."
Dangerous, the System warned. Blood oaths under cosmic law are binding. Unbreakable.
But Amara smiled through her tears. "Yes. Whatever you need. I just want to be with you."
Because blood oaths would bind him as much as her. Would make dissolving the marriage nearly impossible even if everything fell apart. Would give her permanent imperial protection.
"Then we have an agreement," Kael said. "The marriage happens within the week. Before anyone can organize effective opposition. Before the investigation reaches its conclusion."
He pulled her close, and Amara let herself be held, hiding her triumph in his shoulder. The Devourer System hummed with dark satisfaction in her mind.
Excellent, chosen daughter. The prince is secured. The marriage will proceed. And soon, so very soon, you'll have everything you were promised.
TC1853.01.13, Morning - Imperial Palace
Prince Kael stood before his father in the Emperor's private study, prepared for the conversation that would determine his immediate future.
Emperor Tianrong Xuán sat behind his desk with the casual authority of someone who'd ruled for forty years. His golden eyes—the same shade as Kael's—held calculating intelligence that missed nothing.
"You wish to accelerate your marriage to the Brenner girl," the Emperor said without preamble. "Despite the scandal. Despite the investigation into her family. This should be interesting."
"She's a Seer," Kael said bluntly. "Seventy-five percent accuracy. Eight years of documented predictions. I've verified the records personally."
The Emperor's expression shifted to sharp interest. "A Seer? The Brenner family has been hiding a Seer?"
"They kept it secret to protect her from Council jurisdiction," Kael explained. "But they're willing to offer exclusive access in exchange for imperial protection during the investigation."
"Clever." The Emperor leaned back, steepling his fingers. "Very clever. A high-accuracy Seer answering only to imperial authority, with no Council interference." His eyes gleamed. "What's their leverage? Why reveal this now?"
"The baby swap investigation threatens the entire family. They need protection." Kael met his father's gaze steadily. "The marriage provides it. And gives us exclusive access to Seer abilities without Council oversight."
"Until the Council learns we've hidden a Seer from them," the Emperor pointed out. "That violates multiple cosmic treaties. The political fallout—"
"Will be manageable," Kael interrupted. "If we act quickly. Formalize the marriage before the Council can object. By the time they learn about her abilities, she'll be imperial family. Protected by law."
The Emperor studied his son with the expression of someone reassessing calculations. "You've thought this through."
"I have."
"And you're willing to marry into a family under investigation for harboring stolen celestial children? Willing to weather that scandal?"
"For exclusive access to a seventy-five percent Seer?" Kael's voice hardened. "Yes. That's worth weathering scandal."
The Emperor was quiet for a long moment, considering implications and advantages. Finally, he nodded.
"Very well. The marriage will proceed with imperial blessing. Quickly, as you suggest, before opposition can organize." His voice dropped to something more calculating. "But understand—if this Seer proves false, if her abilities are fabricated, the consequences will fall on you as much as them."
"I understand."
"And Kael?" The Emperor's golden eyes held warning. "Don't think I've missed the political maneuvering here. You're securing advantages your brothers don't possess. That will create tensions. Rivalries. Be prepared to defend what you've claimed."
"I will."
Because that was the game they all played. The imperial family's endless jockeying for position and advantage. And Kael had just claimed a piece that would make him nearly untouchable in succession conflicts.
Assuming Amara's abilities were real.
Assuming the Brenners could weather the investigation.
Assuming this entire thing wasn't a more elaborate trap than he'd anticipated.
But the potential rewards outweighed the risks. And in imperial politics, those who hesitated lost.
Kael left his father's study with the Emperor's blessing secured. The marriage would happen within five days. The blood oaths would be sworn. And Amara would become his wife, with all the protections and complications that entailed.
I hope you're worth this, he thought, remembering her tear-streaked face and promises of loyalty. Because if you're not, we're all going to burn.