The capital buzzed with a strange kind of noise.The markets overflowed with light and laughter, merchants shouted their prices, gold changed hands faster than ever — yet beneath the glitter, something vital was missing.
Gray was the first to feel it.
In the training yard, as the morning drills ended, he overheard one of the soldiers mutter bitterly while removing his cracked armor:
"Gold fills the streets, but we can't even find a coin to fix a broken plate."
Gray froze.He looked around — tired faces, worn gear, and whispers among the men about late supplies and shrinking pay.
When he returned to the palace, he leaned close to Ken and whispered:
"The army's in bad shape, Your Highness… funding's been cut, even though the markets outside are drowning in wealth."
Ken's reply came calm, but sharp as glass:
"The money's flowing, yes… just not into the royal treasury. It's finding its way into pockets that know exactly where they're going."
Later that evening, a small banquet was held in honor of a trade delegation from Safina.The hall was elegant but half-empty — the conversations were not about diplomacy or politics, but about contracts, profits, and margins.
That was when Elaine appeared.She wore a simple, elegant gray-blue gown that seemed to shimmer with restraint rather than splendor.Approaching Ken with her usual poised grace, she smiled lightly and said:
"I heard you've been skipping the latest meetings, Your Highness — so I decided to be the first to welcome you."
Ken offered a faint smile, nothing more.
She continued, her tone effortlessly pleasant:
"My father recently took part in rebuilding the harbor after the fourth crisis. We received generous support from Darius's financial institution. Thanks to him, trade bounced back faster than anyone expected."
Ken said nothing at first, only studied her expression — calm, honest, unaware.Then he spoke softly, his voice unreadable, somewhere between admiration and suspicion:
"The Darius Foundation… yes, I've heard quite a lot about it."
She smiled again, not catching the edge in his tone, and took her leave, her scent fading into the polished air.
When she was gone, Ken turned to Marvin beside him and murmured:
"Her family's name… add it to the list."
The next morning, Marvin returned carrying a small folder marked in fine script:"The Duchy of Van Loren."
"Their wealth doubled right after the fourth crisis," Marvin explained."They entered a partnership with a company partially owned by Darius. Since then, every major project they've launched has been financed through his channels."
Ken lifted the paper, studying the crimson seal at the bottom.His voice was quiet but final:
"Even the duchies… are now threads in his web."
Meanwhile, in the royal council chamber, Darius sat in his usual calm composure, his measured smile never faltering.He presented a new proposal titled 'The Unified Maritime Network' —a massive project to connect the ports of Orvallis and Safina into one trade artery.
The king, eyes gleaming with relief, leaned forward and said warmly:
"If money were a man, it would wear your face, Darius."
Darius bowed slightly, the faintest smirk touching his lips.
"Then I pray it remains loyal to the crown, Your Majesty."
That night, Ken sat at his desk once more.In front of him lay a new map —lines, circles, and names all connected by the same center: Darius.
Marvin stood behind him, his voice low, almost reverent in its unease.
"He's spun his web like a spider, my lord.And no one realizes he's at the center of it."
Ken's eyes didn't move from the paper.His tone was calm, steady — but every word struck like a blade.
"Then he's forgotten something…a spider dies quickly once its first thread is cut."
At another evening gathering on the palace balcony, Elaine tried to break his silence once more.
"You seem distant tonight, Your Highness," she said with a light laugh."Perhaps the worries of the kingdom refuse to leave your thoughts."
Ken smiled faintly, a smile that didn't belong to comfort.
"Not worries — just one single burden…that covers everything."
She laughed softly, curious.
"Then tell me — what do you think of the markets' recovery? Isn't it wonderful to see the kingdom thriving again?"
Ken lifted his eyes toward her, voice quiet yet piercing:
"Do you know who's steering that prosperity?"
"Your brother, Darius, isn't he?" she replied without hesitation."Father says he's the reason we've all risen again."
Ken smiled faintly, a breath of irony beneath it.
"Our rise… Heh."
Then he turned and walked away, leaving her watching in silence — confused, uncertain.But for Ken, there was no confusion left.
Only one truth remained:Every road in this kingdom — no matter how bright or gilded —ended with the same name.
Darius Orvallis.
End of Chapter