Chapter 61: Dealing With Two Noble Families

The soft scent of lavender filled the study, mingling with the faint rustle of parchment and the occasional creak of the high-backed chair. Sunlight poured in through tall windows, casting golden streaks across the polished wood and the stacks of documents that cluttered the desk.

Lyra Steele, draped in a regal gown that hugged her hourglass figure, was deeply engrossed in a pile of reports

Her blonde hair cascaded in shimmering waves down her back, catching the sunlight like a waterfall of gold.

Her blue eyes, usually calm and confident, were shadowed with worry as they scanned the dense text.

A knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts. She looked up, her expression softening as she saw her son step into the room.

“Alaric,” she greeted, her face lighting up with a warm smile. “Come in, darling.”

Alaric closed the door behind him, his movements deliberate and measured as always.

His tall frame and sharp features gave him an air of authority, accentuated by the glint of his ruby-red eyes that always seemed to hold a hint of mischief.

He moved toward her, his boots barely making a sound against the plush carpet.

“You’ve been in here all morning,” he remarked, taking the seat she gestured to beside her. “I was starting to wonder if you’d gotten lost in these papers.”

Lyra chuckled softly, a sound like the chiming of bells. “Sometimes it feels that way.” She leaned back in her chair, rubbing her temple. “The Farrow and Sylvaris families have made such a mess of things. It’s like trying to stitch together a torn tapestry with half the threads missing.”

Alaric picked up a nearby document, his brow furrowing as he skimmed it. “This is worse than I thought,” he murmured. “These losses… they’ve been bleeding us dry.”

Lyra sighed, a heavy sound that seemed to carry the weight of her burdens. “We’ve been under attack from both sides for months. The Farrows undermine our business deals, while the Sylvaris family spreads rumors and sows discord among our allies. They’re relentless.”

Alaric placed the paper back on the desk, his jaw tightening. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner? You’ve been carrying this alone.”

“You had your training to focus on,” she replied gently. “You’ve worked so hard to perfect your craft. I didn’t want to distract you.”

“Mother,” Alaric said, his tone firm but affectionate, “I’m not a child anymore. I should’ve been helping you from the start.”

Her eyes softened, and she reached out to place a hand on his. “And I appreciate that more than you know. But it’s not too late, Alaric. We’ll face this together.”

He nodded, a glimmer of determination sparking in his eyes. “Tell me everything. Let’s start with the Farrows.”

Lyra sat back, folding her hands in her lap. “Lord Edgar Farrow is their patriarch. A shrewd, ambitious man with an insatiable appetite for power—and women.”

Alaric raised an eyebrow, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. “I’ve heard the stories. He’s built his own little harem, hasn’t he?”

Lyra snorted softly. “Little might be an understatement. Dozens of women, all bearing children for him. His offspring are grown now, and every one of them is vying for dominance within the family. It’s a chaotic mess, but Edgar thrives in that environment.”

“Are they strong?” Alaric asked, his gaze sharpening. “Any mages among them?”

“None worth mentioning,” Lyra replied, shaking her head. “They’re mostly martialists, and their skill isn’t extraordinary. Edgar’s real strength lies in his connections. The Kingdom supports him when he needs it, which makes him bold.”

“Bold enough to come after us,” Alaric muttered, leaning back in his chair. “He must know about me—about what I can do. Why would he risk provoking the Steele family?”

Lyra’s lips curved into a bitter smile. “Arrogance, perhaps. Or maybe he thinks his alliances make him untouchable.”

“Untouchable isn’t the same as invincible,” Alaric said, his voice cold and resolute. “What about the Sylvaris family? Tell me about Baroness Ophelia.”

Lyra’s expression darkened, her gaze turning distant. “Ophelia is… dangerous. She’s cunning, ruthless, and utterly without scruples. She used to be a mage in the Valareth Kingdom, but she betrayed them and fled to Eloriath. King Thaleon rewarded her treachery with a noble title and land, and she’s been consolidating her power ever since.”

Alaric tilted his head thoughtfully. “A mage-turned-baroness. That’s a rare combination.”

“It makes her unpredictable,” Lyra said. “She doesn’t play by the usual rules of nobility. She’s willing to lie, cheat, and destroy anyone who stands in her way. And unlike the Farrows, she’s clever enough to hide her moves until it’s too late to counter them.”

“She sounds like someone I’d rather avoid,” Alaric admitted, “but it seems I don’t have that luxury. What’s her endgame?”

“Power,” Lyra said simply. “Pure and simple. She wants to make the Sylvaris family indispensable to the crown, and she’ll do whatever it takes to achieve that.”

Alaric leaned forward, his elbows resting on the desk. “Then we’ll need to be smarter. They’ve played their hand; now it’s our turn.”

Lyra studied him, her eyes gleaming with a mix of pride and curiosity. “You’ve got a plan already, don’t you?”

“Not yet,” Alaric admitted, a faint grin tugging at his lips. “But I will. Give me a few days to gather some information, and I’ll figure out how to deal with both families.”

Lyra reached out, cupping his cheek in her hand. “I trust you, Alaric. You’ve always had a way of seeing through the fog and finding the right path.”

He covered her hand with his, giving it a gentle squeeze. “I won’t let them tear us down, Mother. The Steele family will stand strong.”

Lyra nodded, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “I know you’ll do whatever it takes.”

Alaric stood, gathering a handful of documents from the desk. “I should get started. There’s no time to waste.”

“Be careful, my son,” Lyra said, her voice soft but firm. “The world you’re stepping into is dangerous.”

“I know,” he replied, his tone light yet confident. “But danger’s never stopped me before.”

As he left the study, Lyra leaned back in her chair, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. She watched him go, her heart swelling with pride.

The room was dimly lit by the soft glow of a single candle, its flickering flame casting shadows that danced along the walls. Alaric sat at his desk, his mind a whirlwind of ideas and strategies. The polished wood beneath his elbows felt cool to the touch as he leaned forward, gripping his quill tightly. In front of him lay a sheet of parchment, its surface unmarred by ink—at least, for now.

With a steady breath, he dipped the quill into the inkwell and began to write. His hand moved swiftly and deliberately, the scratching of the quill filling the otherwise silent room. Each word was precise, calculated, designed to convey his intentions without room for misinterpretation.

To my esteemed superior,

I trust this message finds you in good health and high spirits. Recent developments concerning my family have compelled me to reach out for your esteemed assistance.

The Steele Family has come under relentless attack by two rival factions: the Farrow Family and the Sylvaris Family. Their actions have not only disrupted our business but have also jeopardized our standing within the kingdom. It is my belief that decisive action must be taken to neutralize these threats before they escalate further.

Firstly, I propose that the Phantom Assembly frame the Farrow Family as traitors to the Kingdom of Eloriath. By planting forged evidence implicating key members of their family in treasonous activities, we can bring the kingdom’s wrath upon them. Once they are branded as traitors, the Steele Family will be in the ideal position to step in and seize their assets and influence.

Secondly, I request assistance in destabilizing the Sylvaris Family from within. By targeting Baroness Ophelia’s close relatives, we can create discord that will fracture their unity. Internal conflict will force them to redirect their focus away from the Steele Family, effectively neutralizing their threat.

Your swift and expert intervention will not only secure the Steele Family’s position but will also remind our adversaries of the Phantom Assembly’s unmatched prowess. I await your response with anticipation and gratitude.

Sincerely,

Alaric Steele

Satisfied, Alaric set down his quill and allowed the ink to dry. He reached for the sealing wax and pressed the deep red stick over the flickering candle until it melted into a glossy pool on the folded parchment. With a decisive movement, he pressed his signet ring into the wax, leaving the Steele crest emblazoned upon it.

The room grew colder as the hour stretched into the night, but Alaric hardly noticed. Standing, he tucked the sealed letter into his coat and made his way to the door. The hallways of the Steele estate were silent, save for the soft creak of wooden floorboards underfoot.

He exited the manor and stepped into the crisp night air. The forest loomed ahead, its shadowy canopy dense and foreboding. But Alaric strode forward with confidence. The Phantom Assembly’s messenger owl would be waiting.

Deeper into the woods, a pair of sharp, gleaming eyes reflected the moonlight. The owl sat perched on a low-hanging branch, its feathers blending seamlessly with the darkened bark. Alaric approached it carefully, tying the letter to the bird’s leg with practiced ease.

“Take this to our allies,” he murmured. The owl hooted softly in acknowledgment before spreading its wings and disappearing into the star-speckled sky.

The following days passed in a blur of quiet anticipation. Alaric went about his usual routine, maintaining a calm facade to avoid arousing his mother’s suspicion. He spent his mornings reviewing estate records with Lyra and his afternoons sparring with the estate guards. In the evenings, he poured over maps and reports, piecing together every detail he could about the Farrow and Sylvaris families.

Two weeks later, the first signs of the Phantom Assembly’s actions began to emerge. Whispers of treachery spread like wildfire through the capital, the rumors tracing back to none other than the Farrow Family. It started subtly—whispered accusations, anonymous tips sent to the Royal Guard. But as the days passed, the evidence mounted.

Forged documents were uncovered in one of Lord Edgar Farrow’s warehouses, detailing secret communications with a known enemy of the Kingdom of Eloriath. Witnesses—carefully selected and manipulated by the Phantom Assembly—came forward, their testimonies damning. Even intercepted messages, fabricated to perfection, painted an irrefutable picture of treachery.

The kingdom acted swiftly. A detachment of the Royal Guard descended upon the Farrow estate, their banners flying high as they marched through the gates. Lord Edgar Farrow emerged to meet them, his face a mask of fury and indignation.

“This is outrageous!” he bellowed, his voice echoing through the courtyard. “I have served this kingdom faithfully for decades! These accusations are nothing but lies!”

The captain of the guard, an imposing man with a steely gaze, stepped forward. “The evidence speaks for itself, Lord Farrow. You are hereby placed under arrest for conspiracy and treason against the crown.”

Edgar’s protests fell on deaf ears as the guards moved to restrain him. His household was thrown into chaos, with servants scattering and his children shouting in confusion and anger.

Meanwhile, Alaric and Lyra watched the scene unfold from the shadows of a nearby building. Alaric’s arms were crossed over his chest, a satisfied smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

“They took the bait,” Lyra murmured, her tone a mix of astonishment and relief. “How did you manage this?”

Alaric chuckled softly. “Let’s just say I had some help from people who specialize in… handling delicate situations.”

Lyra glanced at him, her expression one of curiosity and concern. “And these people? Can they be trusted?”

“Completely,” Alaric assured her. “They have no reason to betray us. Their loyalty is to their own success, and that aligns with our goals—for now.”

Lyra nodded, though her worry lingered. “Just be careful, Alaric. Deals made in the shadows often come at a price.”

Meanwhile, the Phantom Assembly turned their attention to the Sylvaris Family. They targeted Ophelia’s close relatives, creating discord and unrest within the family. They manipulated key figures, turning them against each other, and sowing seeds of distrust and paranoia.

The Sylvaris Family was soon plagued by internal strife, their focus shifting away from expansion and towards damage control. Ophelia found herself struggling to maintain order, her once-united family now fractured and divided.

Alaric watched from the shadows, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. He had played his part perfectly, using the Phantom Assembly to execute his plan without ever revealing his involvement. He had turned the tables on their enemies, using their own ambition and greed against them.

As the days turned into weeks, the situation continued to unfold in the Steele Family’s favor. The Farrow Family was dismantled, their influence and prestige stripped away as they were branded as traitors. The Sylvaris Family was in disarray, their internal struggles preventing them from targeting the Steele Family any further.