[ Age: 5 Years ]
The Noble Summit continued as negotiations stretched late into the evening. The rulers of House Varyn, House Nyx, House Aldric, and House Ashen debated border disputes, trade restrictions, and military strategies with measured precision.
To the untrained eye, it was nothing more than a political gathering—a necessary meeting of minds shaping the future of Ildor.
To Lucien, it was a battlefield—not one fought with swords or magic, but with words, influence, and control.
And in this war, he would claim victory without them ever knowing.
--
The Web Expands
His first target, the young noblewoman, sat quietly at the edge of the hall, her expression troubled. She wanted to speak, but her father silenced her.
The seed had already taken root—his whisper lodged deep within her subconscious. The belief that she deserved power and respect was now stirring inside her, warring against her learned obedience.
But subtlety was key.
He did not push further. He did not force control.
Instead, he simply watched—letting the seed grow on its own.
In time, her thoughts would turn herself into an ally.
---
{A New Target}
A new opportunity emerged as the summit discussions shifted toward the Dwarven trade embargo.
A man stood at the center of the heated debate—Lord Rovan Aldric, a merchant king, known for his ruthless control over gold. His words carried weight, his influence stretched across every major city in the kingdom.
Lucien's gaze lingered on his son, a boy of nine, heir to the Aldric dynasty.
Unlike his father, the boy was uncertain, hesitant, struggling to keep pace with the politics around him.
Another weak thread, waiting to be pulled.
Lucien approached, smiling sweetly, feigning innocence.
"I want to learn how trade works," he said, his voice timid, curious—the perfect mask.
The boy blinked, surprised at the attention. A child of five, asking about trade? It was unexpected.
And that was why it worked.
The heir began speaking, explaining gold, commerce, wealth , though his own confidence wavered.
Lucien listened—truly listened—but beneath his quiet nods, he reached deeper.
"You are strong. You are capable. You deserve to lead."
A planted thought —small, subtle, but dangerous.
The boy did not react immediately. He simply continued speaking, unaware that a war had begun within his own mind .
Soon, doubt would turn into ambition.
And ambition could be controlled.