March 22nd Year 853.

The royal palace, a realm of timeless opulence, bore witness to the whispers of power and the dance of shadows. In the heart of the regal chambers, Empress Lysandra held court upon her ebony throne, her teal eyes ablaze with calculated intrigue. A master of political machinations, she had orchestrated a clandestine move the night before. Having bribed the editor of the high society newspaper for nobles and dispersed funds to spread rumors about Luke through messengers, travelers, and merchants, she now awaited the inevitable ripple effect.

As dawn bathed the palace in a soft glow, Lysandra perused the newspaper with a serene countenance, concealing the storm of manipulative schemes brewing within. Her meticulous calculations sought to exploit the inevitable reaction of the nobles, envisioning them raising the issue with the king. The ultimate goal was to coerce the king into removing Luke from the esteemed family tree of the DeMontforts, consolidating Lysandra's influence within the royal lineage. It would be at least 6 months until Aurelia Vespera returned to the empire, and when she did, she would find her faction broken and in shambles.

She then started reading the newspaper to find its exact contents and if she could use anything that was written or missed to her advantage. The newspaper's damning contents unfolded before her eyes, revealing a scandal that could shake the foundations of high society and propel Lysandra's machinations to their zenith. The newspaper read as follows :

Scandal Unveiled: DeMontfort Heir's Dark Secrets Exposed

By Lucius Crypticink

In the hallowed echelons of high society, where whispers carry weight and shadows conceal the darkest truths, a shocking exposé has come to light, revealing a side of Luke DeMontfort that shatters the façade of nobility. The pages of this newspaper, an arbiter of truth, now unfurl the narrative of arrogance, tyranny, and, most disturbingly, alleged mistreatment of his betrothed, Vivienne Sterling.

Arrogance Unveiled:
The once-revered heir stands accused of drowning in the intoxicating fumes of arrogance. Revelations suggest that Luke's interactions with those beneath him have been marked by disdain and cruelty. His alleged mistreatment of servants, coupled with disdain for common folk, paints a portrait of a man who views society with condescension, a stark departure from the virtues expected of nobility.

A Tyrant in the Making:
Beneath the veneer of noble birth, the heart of a tyrant emerges. Whispers in the alleys the murmurs of servants and credible allegations unveil a darker truth about Luke DeMontfort. The heir is accused of exploiting his position to suppress dissent about his immoral habits and taking actions to crush opposition to his opinion, showcasing a disturbing lust for power that transcends the bounds of acceptable behavior. The evidence for this comes from the recent dismissal of several key maids and butlers of House DeMontfort being fired out of nowhere for unknown reasons.

Moral Decay Exposed:
The empire, once blissfully ignorant, now grapples with the revelation of Luke's moral decay. Interviews with the maids and butlers who were forced out by the DeMontfort family now reveal rumors abound regarding questionable associations, extravagant indulgences, and a blatant disregard for the moral fabric that binds noble families. The virtues that once defined his family now lie in tatters.

Allegations of Mistreatment and Domestic Violence:
The scandal deepens with shocking allegations of mistreatment and domestic violence inflicted upon Vivienne Sterling, Luke's betrothed. Whispers of a troubled relationship permeate the air, describing instances of cruelty and physical harm that have allegedly befallen the young noblewoman. These allegations paint a distressing picture of a relationship tainted by abuse, further tarnishing the already besmirched reputation of the DeMontfort heir.

As the empire grapples with these damning revelations, questions loom large over the DeMontfort lineage. Can they recover from the stain brought upon by the alleged actions of their heir? The empire watches as the once-gilded reputation of the DeMontforts unravels in the wake of this profound scandal.

In the aftermath of this exposé, high society stands at a precipice. The fate of Luke DeMontfort and the enduring legacy of his family hang in the balance, as the empire braces itself for the tumult that follows the unraveling of a once-noble reputation.

Empress Lysandra couldn't help but laugh as she read the newspaper. She had merely tasked Lucius Crypticink, her loyal confidant, to write about the duel and how Vivienne's position proved Luke's domestic violence. However, he had gone above and beyond, unearthing information completely unrelated to the original task and skillfully weaving it into a narrative that cast reasonable doubt on Luke's character. To assert that Luke's career as a noble was now irreparably tarnished would be an understatement. The scandalous exposé painted a damning picture, leaving no room for recovery from such a tantalizing revelation. The echoes of this scandal were destined to reverberate through the corridors of high society for years to come, sealing Luke's fate in the annals of noble history.

Just then, there was a deliberate knock on the door, and Empress Lysandra, anticipating the arrival of a particular visitor, granted entry to the shadowy figure. The door creaked open, revealing none other than the leader of a private assassination guild, a clandestine group loyal to her father, Marquis Astraloria. The mysterious figure entered and respectfully bent his knee in a display of deference.

"This humble servant greets your majesty. I had been informed that Her Majesty has a job for me. It is my utmost privilege and duty to carry out the wishes of Her Majesty as she seeks," greeted the guild leader.

"Very well. You are to attempt to assassinate Luke DeMontfort in the upcoming days, preferably after an official announcement from the royal family regarding the recent incident in the academy involving Luke and his fiancée. You are allowed to abandon the attempt if it proves to be difficult. In such a case, ensure that any evidence linking the assassination attempt back to us is hidden. Instead, leave traces and credible allegations that tie the failed attempts to House Sterling. Is that clear?" ordered Lysandra with a discerning gaze.

"Understood, Your Majesty. Your wish is my command," replied the guild leader before rising and discreetly leaving the chambers, ready to execute the clandestine task assigned by the calculating empress.

In the grand chessboard of her political machinations, Empress Lysandra remained poised, contemplating the intricate moves that lay ahead. The guild leader, entrusted with the perilous mission, was now a pawn in her game. If the assassination of Luke proved successful, it would undoubtedly serve as a substantial boon for her faction. Even in the event of failure, she held a potent card in her hand. Leveraging her influence, she intended to expose the Sterling family's involvement in the attempt through a carefully orchestrated leak in the high society newspaper. This calculated move had the potential to irrevocably shatter any possibility of reconciliation between House DeMontfort and House Sterling.

Regardless of the unfolding events, she foresaw herself emerging victorious. Serenely sipping her tea, she began a meticulous calculation of how to strategically manipulate the scandal surrounding Luke. She aimed to deftly shift the narrative within the royal court, extracting maximum concessions from the emperor. The impending scandal, carefully maneuvered through the intricate web of court politics, would serve as her instrument for securing a position of power and influence.

If her scheme unfolded according to her meticulous design, she could finally cast aside her concerns regarding her troublesome stepdaughter, Aurelia Vespera, and redirect her attention towards Duke Duskwood. The Duskwoods had coerced her into making numerous concessions, even to the extent of arranging an engagement with Silvanus, thereby thwarting her plans to position Luna Obsidianheart as the next empress. The Duskwoods would face the consequences of their actions in due time if her intricate plan played out successfully.

Even in the event of failure, there remained a pathway for revenge. She envisioned wreaking havoc upon the marital life of Lillian Duskwood. However, true satisfaction would be derived if she could eliminate Lillian before the impending marriage. Empress Lysandra harbored these thoughts as she continued her calculated march toward power, steadfast in her pursuit of the coveted position of Empress Dowager.