It didn’t take long for the group to arrive at a rather shabby cabin tucked away in an inconspicuous alleyway. The woman leading Duke Reviarra knocked on the door in sequence before opening it and entering.

Inside, Duke Reviarra saw his daughter in the middle of a game of checkers with An. Judging by her expression, she seemed to be on the losing side. She seemed to ignore the new guests and took her frustrations out on An. “This game is stupid. The rules are too restrictive! Let’s change the game!”

“Psh. Just because you can’t win in a restricted environment isn’t my fault. How about adapting and getting better?” Replied An without much concern. It was clear he had no intention to let his rare win escape. Sol inflated her cheeks at the response but soon turned her head to the guests.

“Welcome back. This Lady trusts everything went well?” Sol asked without much concern on her face. Her disposition seemed to show her confidence in the group’s success. She quickly approached the group and delivered a heavy hug into Duke Reviarra’s waist.

The man only just recovered from the nonchalant scene. His arms wrapped around his daughter in relief, however he never forgot about his concerns. “What’s your plan for Prince Elric?” Asked the Duke with his eyes tilted towards the unconscious figure.

Sol took a moment to relish in that hug before pulling away and turning her attention. The moment her gaze landed on the Prince, a thick bloodlust escaped her person. The lapse only lasted a second though and she gathered her leaking emotions back up.

Footsteps brought her before the Prince tossed onto the ground without care. Her gaze examined his condition and her spiritual awareness scoured his body to ensure there were no hidden surprises. “How long will he be out?” 

“Another 2-3 hours,” replied the woman. “Very good.” Her gaze turned to the doorman and she continued. “Has Prince Roland contacted us yet?”

“Not yet Lady Reviarra”, replied the older man while genuflecting. There was an obvious sense of respect exuding from the man. Sol just took the man’s actions and his answer in stride. “Ah, is that so? It would seem the deal is off then. Next time he will have to approach this Lady and the favor will no longer be as genuine.”

Her words sent a subtle chill down the backs of everyone in the hall. That response could only mean the Prince missed his best chance at gaining Iridescent’s support. Her gaze returned to Prince Roland before discussing the main topic at hand.

“Father, you asked what this daughter’s plans are. This Lady’s plan is simple. The Royal family has gone too far and overestimated their power. Since they no longer care about prestige then why should we? This Lady intends to remind them that no one is untouchable and there are consequences trailing actions.”

She issued another order to the women in the room drawing a blush from them. Despite their appearances, you’d be misled by her actions as the men in the room blanched at the order. Duke Reviarra wasn’t sure how to react to the order. 

Despite that, he allowed it to happen. He knew about the grudge between the Prince and his daughter. Perhaps, there was a sense of relief knowing the Prince would at least survive. His attention remained on the Prince as he was dragged out of the building by the snickering group of women until the door finally closed behind them.

“Father, this Lady needs to deliver a direct message to King Blonsall. Have you any ideas?” Sol broke Duke Riverra from his lapse. He thought for a moment before responding. “It depends on the message, but you can either gain a direct attendance during court sessions or use his Eunuch as a deliveryman.”

The moment she heard the methods, Sol nearly broke into a loud laugh. She felt her courtesies were slipping bit by bit, yet she couldn’t find a reason to prevent it. Her image was already destroyed as a noble lady. The image of her as a merchant had already settled in the mind’s of the aristocracy. That being said, she still tried to retain the elegance taught to her.

The matter was simply too hilarious to hold back on. Her smile stretched from ear to ear as happiness flooded her at her moment of revenge. The cheery eyes and innocent smile did little to disarm Duke Reviarra’s hesitation. Although he acquiesced to the plan, he could only start preparing to cover the fallout.

“Who better to deliver news on his son than a soon to be relative.” Sol’s words made the men pale once more. Despite noticing their expressions, she merely ignored them. Her relation with the Royals had long surpassed enemies. Instead of dealing with them and banking on the useless hope of forgiveness, she would rather apply pressure.

“Hear my orders!” Sol suddenly shouted and 5 men entered from the side door before genuflecting. “As of now, Iridescent will stop supporting the Capital’s economy. Consume all finances and inflate the market. Withdraw all products and services immediately after. Destroy anything you can’t bring with you. Leave nothing behind for these ingrates.”

“Yes!” Yelled the men in response. Of the group, 1 remained after the other 4 left to carry out her orders. The man only remained because he had extra duties he had to verify before continuing. “Lady Reviarra, should this Servant continue Lunar Supply’s integration?”

“I’ve told you before to stop degrading yourself in front of me. I’m only your boss, I’m not your master… Whatever… Ignore Lunar Supply. They’re no longer a threat and will fall apart once we leave anyways. I gave Prince Roland his chance to survive. Now I’ll force his hand as well.”

The man only smiled at her response before leaving to complete his side of the equation. The remaining members gazed at Sol with curious and eager eyes. Duke Reviarra was part of the many plans Sol set up and so understood what she was doing. Despite that, he felt the need to remind her.

“The Reviarra household isn’t strong enough to take the Royal’s on yet. Keep your actions mild. We only need 2 or 3 more years before we can move.” The Duke warned without much conviction. He knew his imprisonment moved the schedule ahead, but still felt the need to be the rational voice.

“Don’t worry. I’ll do it in moderation. We’ll only inflate the Capital’s economy, but won’t pop it just yet. That being said, I think our family is ready to handle the Royal family. My only fear is their supporters. We’ve discovered nothing about the General or forces behind them. I’m starting to suspect if they even exist at this point.”

“It’s fake?” Duke Reviarra asked back in surprise. Sol only shook her head. “I don’t know. What I do know is that any documents prior to the Blonsall family taking control have been wiped out. All aristocratic families that rose with him have been dismantled and eliminated. I’m starting to believe it was a rumor created by the Royals to help deter rebellious thoughts… That being said, there’s another 3rd party that I’m concerned about, but have almost no information about. Unlike the Royal backing though, this enemy definitely exists.”

An’s gaze flickered at her comment. He knew she was talking about the Assemblers that back Prince Elric and Prince Roland. So far, there has been no move from them, but that only drew An’s caution more. He felt as if that power was building strength. His attention drifted into the distance and he hoped his attempt to establish communication succeeded.

In order to deliver that message, he sacrificed quite a bit of power. He knew for sure it connected to the higher realm, but it was up to fate if his strand of spiritual awareness would be able to deliver that message without being intercepted or destroyed.

While the group discussed their plans for the near and far future, the Blonsall Capital was ignited. Guards just discovered Duke Reviarra’s escape and not an hour later, Prince Elric’s absence. The King kept his calm after learning the two disappeared.

He interrogated his Queen about Prince Elric’s plans and knew the Prince had designs on Sol Reviarra. Since their disappearances coincided, he initially  thought the Prince was enacting his plan. After all, King Blonsall was aware of Sol’s arrival as well. Little could escape his notice inside the Capital.

Those initial thoughts were soon destroyed after his Eunuch rushed to his bedroom steps with a note written in blood. The contents of the letter made King Blonsall collapse on the spot and ushered in waves of Doctors.

The stable reign of the King fractured at that moment. It was impossible to contain such news, yet it only spread amongst the aristocratic families. Everyone understood that the fight for the throne was about to heat up. The King’s collapse also indicated a crack in his authority.

What cows would continue munching on withered grass when the sprouts were healthy and luring? A second piece of news soon spread a few days later. Prince Elric returned to the Castle, however his gait was awkward and his face blanched. The irritable man executed nearly 100 men on the spot the moment he returned.

With his return, a third piece of news spread, though it was more rumor than anything else. It claimed that Prince Elric lost his root and with it, his future. The Prince never received news about the leak as everyone was too fearful to inform him. 

Queen Blonsall on the other hand, fainted the moment she learned of the rumor. Her first order upon awakening was to summon her son. Her womanly instincts brought tears to her eyes the moment her son entered the hall with a strange gait.