The night following the grand alliance between Orvallis and Safina was unbearably heavy.In Ken's chamber, half-burned candles flickered weakly over a desk scattered with papers — remnants of a battle of thoughts that had yet to end.
He sat in silence before the financial maps Marvin had prepared, his eyes tracing the tangled lines connecting noble families and trade projects.At the center of the map, one name repeated itself in every direction:
Darius Orvallis.
Marvin pointed at it quietly, his tone calm but edged with unease.
"Every major enterprise over the past four years leads here.Funding, partnerships, contracts — they all run through institutions bearing his financial seal."
Ken didn't reply.He slowly closed his hand over the paper, as though afraid his anger might tear it apart.
Since his return, he had sensed an imbalance — the city thrived, yet the palace grew hollow.Now, the map before him explained why without needing a single word.
The door opened suddenly.Gray stepped in, his voice low but urgent.
"Command just issued orders — the northern legion and two capital guard units are being dismissed.Reason given: budget cuts."
Ken looked at him silently for a moment, then asked quietly:
"And the markets?"
Gray exhaled, shaking his head.
"Still booming. The merchants say gold floods the streets more than ever,yet the soldiers can't even afford to mend their armor."
Marvin lifted his gaze from the documents, his tone grim.
"It's a false balance… The markets flourish while the army weakens.The economy's no longer a means of survival — it's become a weapon."
Ken lowered his head for a moment, then spoke sharply, his eyes locked on the map.
"He who owns the gold… owns the law.And my brother has begun rewriting the kingdom's constitution from his own pocket."
The Royal Council
The next day, the royal council convened.The king sat at the head of the table, and beside him — Darius, who seemed to lead the conversation without even trying.
He spoke with poised confidence about a new plan he called The Unified Trade Infrastructure,a proposal to merge the royal treasury with the investors' councils "to ensure stable liquidity."
The ministers applauded the idea.The king nodded, clearly persuaded.
When Darius exited the hall, congratulations followed him like echoes.At the end of the corridor, Ken stood still, watching in silence — for a long, long time.
The Announcement
Days later, the capital erupted with news that spread like wildfire:Princess Eliana Val Orvallis was to be engaged to Prince Ryn of Safina — in just one week.
The streets filled with celebration.Shops hung lanterns, music and laughter carried through the markets,and the people shouted joyfully:
"The Blood Alliance will bring glory back to Orvallis!"
But inside the palace, the air was too quiet.
In the council of nobles, Ken sat among the guests as the announcement was made official.He showed no reaction — only stood up, quietly, and left.
Marvin followed without a word, and Gray trailed close behind.
The Map of Chains
In his chamber, Ken stood before the great map of the kingdom mounted on the wall.The glowing points of light — each one marking a prosperous project —now looked like a golden web tightening around the capital.
He traced one of the lines with his finger and murmured softly:
"The king thinks these are walls protecting the throne…but they've become bars around it."
He stayed still for a moment, the candlelight casting long shadows over his face.Then he turned to Marvin and Gray, his voice calm but resolute:
"We start tonight.I want the names, the accounts, the last known movements — everything."
There was no anger in his tone anymore —only the steady calm of a man who had finally found the shape of his enemy.
And under the faint, wavering glow of candlelight,the first threads of Ken's quiet rebellion began to weave into motion —the opening move in a war that would break Darius's balance,not with swords… but in silence.
End of Chapter .