Chapter 9: A Pact in Shadows

Desperate men don’t surrender.

They make deals.

Dangerous ones.

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A Secret Meeting

Night had fallen over the palace, casting long shadows through the corridors. Most of the nobles had retired for the evening, retreating to their lavish chambers.

But not Lord Gregor.

He moved through the halls with purpose, but also caution. His usual arrogance was absent, replaced by something far less dignified.

Paranoia.

I watched from a distance, hidden behind the heavy stone columns of the eastern wing. He was up to something.

My spy had whispered the details to me earlier that evening.

A secret meeting. A desperate move.

Gregor was trying to secure new allies, seeking support to counter Reynard’s growing influence.

I exhaled softly. Good.

The more he struggled, the deeper he would sink.

And tonight, I would learn just how desperate he had become.

---

The Shadowed Pact

I followed Gregor through the corridors, keeping to the dimly lit paths. He was heading toward one of the old council rooms—an isolated chamber, far from prying eyes.

He wasn’t alone.

A second figure stood by the door, waiting. Tall. Cloaked. Unfamiliar.

Ah. So he had brought in an outsider.

Interesting.

I shifted slightly, staying just within earshot. I needed to hear this.

The cloaked figure spoke first. His voice was smooth, composed.

“You took a risk calling this meeting, Lord Gregor.”

Gregor exhaled sharply. “I don’t have a choice. Reynard is already turning the court against me.”

The stranger hummed. “And you believe I can change that?”

Gregor nodded. “Your influence spreads beyond Aurelia. You have resources, connections.”

Resources? That meant this man was more than just a noble.

A merchant lord? A foreign diplomat?

I leaned in closer.

“What do you want in return?” Gregor asked.

The figure chuckled. “Power, of course. The same thing you want.”

Gregor was silent for a moment. Then, begrudgingly, he nodded.

“Fine,” he said. “We’ll work together.”

I smiled. That was all I needed to hear.

Gregor had just tied his fate to a man he barely knew.

And I would make sure that choice destroyed him.

---

Information is Power

By the time Gregor left the meeting, I had already slipped away, my mind racing.

I returned to my chambers, where my spy was waiting.

She leaned casually against the windowsill, golden eyes gleaming in the moonlight.

“You’re late,” she murmured.

I smirked. “And you’re impatient.”

She grinned. “Did you get what you needed?”

I poured myself a glass of wine, swirling the liquid thoughtfully.

“Gregor made his move,” I said. “He’s aligning with an outsider.”

She whistled softly. “Desperate.”

“Very.” I took a slow sip. “I need to know who the man is.”

She tilted her head. “And if I find out?”

I smiled. “Then you’ll be paid handsomely.”

She chuckled. “Now that’s what I like to hear.”

Then, with a playful salute, she disappeared into the night.

Soon, I would have my answer.

And when I did?

Gregor wouldn’t even see the next move coming.

---

Evelyn’s Warning

The next morning, Evelyn found me.

She approached me in the palace gardens, where I was pretending to enjoy the sunlight.

She sat beside me on the stone bench, her expression unreadable.

For a moment, she said nothing.

Then—

“You’re too calm.”

I blinked. “Am I?”

She exhaled slowly. “You are. While Gregor flails, while the court shifts, you sit here—drinking tea.”

I smiled. “Would you rather I panic?”

Her gaze sharpened. “I would rather know what you’re hiding.”

Ah. She was getting bold.

I set my cup down, turning fully toward her.

“Why do you suspect me, Princess?” I asked.

She studied me for a long moment.

Then, softly, she said—

“Because I see the way you look at them.”

I tilted my head. “At who?”

“At the nobles. At Gregor. At Reynard.” She leaned in slightly, her voice dropping lower. “You don’t look at them like a man with no power.”

My smirk widened. She was sharp.

But not sharp enough.

“I think you overestimate me,” I said lightly.

Her lips quirked. “Perhaps.”

She stood, brushing invisible dust from her gown.

Then, as she turned to leave, she glanced back over her shoulder.

“Careful, Lucian,” she murmured.

“Why?” I mused. “Afraid for me?”

She smiled faintly.

“No. Afraid of you.”

And then she was gone.

I exhaled slowly.

She was getting too close.

And soon, I would have to decide—

Would I let her in?

Or would I shut her out forever?

---

The Web Tightens

That evening, my spy returned with news.

She dropped into the chair across from me, stretching lazily. “I found your mystery man.”

I raised a brow. “That was fast.”

She smirked. “I’m very good at what I do.”

She tossed a folded parchment onto the table.

I opened it, scanning the name written inside.

And then, I laughed.

Because Gregor’s new ally?

He was worse than a risk.

He was a traitor.

And Gregor had just handed me the perfect weapon to end him.

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