The wind on the balcony of the Stuart Manor was biting, but it was nothing compared to the chill spreading through my veins.
My half-brother. Leo Stuart.
In my past life, Leo was nothing more than a ghost story. A child born of my father's brief, hidden affair with a commoner. Julian had spent years searching for him, eventually finding him in some backwater slum and using him as a puppet to strip me of my remaining authority. By the time I realized Leo existed, the legal papers were already signed, and I was a stranger in my own home.
"You look like you've seen a corpse," Klaus's voice broke through my thoughts. He was still standing dangerously close, the scent of expensive tobacco and cold iron clinging to him.
"I have," I whispered, looking up into his violet eyes. "I've seen the corpse of my future if Julian finds that boy first. The Bloodline Decree is absolute. If Julian presents a male Stuart heir to the Empress, even your ring won't be enough to stop the Council from flipping sides."
[Ding! 'Luck Detection Map' Activated.]
[Scanning radius: 50km. Searching for signature: 'Stuart Bloodline'.]
[Detection Result: One match found. Location: The Grey District. Status: Critical.]
The Grey District. The most dangerous slum in the capital, a place where the law didn't reach and life was cheaper than a bottle of gin.
"I need to go," I said, my voice hardening. "Now."
"To the Grey District? At midnight?" Klaus raised an eyebrow, a flicker of amusement dancing in his dark eyes. "You'll be picked clean before you cross the first bridge, little bird."
"Then come with me," I countered, grabbing the lapel of his violet coat. "You said you wanted a return on your investment. If I lose the Stuart title, your port licenses vanish. We're in the same boat, Klaus. Either you row, or we both drown."
Klaus stared at me for a long beat. The silence was charged, a silent battle of wills. Then, he laughed—a low, melodic sound that sent a shiver down my spine. "You really have changed. The old Sophia would have stayed here and cried."
"The old Sophia is dead," I snapped. "I'm just the one who inherited her rage."
Ten minutes later, we were tearing through the rain-slicked streets of the capital in Klaus's armored carriage. Inside, the atmosphere was stifling. Klaus sat across from me, his long legs stretched out, watching me with the intensity of a predator who had found a new toy.
"Tell me," Klaus said, leaning forward. "How did you know he was in the Grey District? Not even my spies had narrowed it down that far yet."
"I have my ways," I replied evasively. I can't exactly tell you I have a floating screen in my eyes, can I? [Warning: Host's Luck Value is being consumed to maintain the map. -10 Luck/min.]
[Current Luck: 1,130.]
We arrived at a crumbling tenement building that looked like it was held together by mold and desperation. I stepped out into the mud, my silk heels sinking, but I didn't care. I followed the pulsing red dot on my internal map, Klaus trailing behind me like a lethal shadow.
We reached a basement door. From inside, I could hear the sounds of a struggle—the heavy thud of boots and a young boy's muffled cry.
"Julian's men," I hissed.
Klaus didn't say a word. He simply stepped forward and kicked the door. The heavy oak frame shattered as if it were made of glass.
Inside, three thugs were pinning a scrawny, white-haired boy against a damp wall. One of them held a needle, likely filled with a sedative to kidnap him. They turned, eyes wide with terror at the sight of the Duke.
"Get out," Klaus said. His voice wasn't loud, but it carried the weight of a death sentence.
The thugs didn't hesitate. They scrambled past us, one of them tripping over his own feet in his haste to escape the 'Devil of the North.'
I walked over to the boy. He looked exactly like my father—the same stubborn jaw, the same deep-set eyes. He was trembling, his hands balled into fists.
"Who are you?" he spat, his voice cracked with fear. "Are you with the man in the suit? The one who said I'm a prince?"
"No, Leo," I said, kneeling in the dirt regardless of my expensive gown. I reached out, and for a moment, I saw the grey fog above my head lighten. "I'm your sister. And I'm the only one who isn't going to turn you into a puppet."
[Ding! Mission: 'The Ghost's Rescue' Successful!]
[Luck Value: +500! Life Force: +10 Days.]
[New Skill Unlocked: 'Luck Shield' (Can protect allies from luck-draining attacks).]
I felt a sudden rush of warmth. I had changed the timeline. Julian's "Golden Card" was now in my hands.
But as I stood up, I felt a heavy hand on my shoulder. Klaus was looking down at Leo, his expression unreadable.
"He's a Stuart, alright," Klaus murmured. "But a Stuart is a dangerous thing to keep as a pet, Sophia. Are you sure you can control the fire you just lit?"
I looked at Leo, then back at Klaus. "I don't want to control him. I want to arm him."
I looked out at the dark alleyway. I knew Julian would be here soon. I wanted him to find the room empty. I wanted him to feel the first real sting of a trap closing around his neck.
"Let's go," I said. "We have a Decree to prepare for."