The night hung still over the palace of Orvallis.A cold wind slipped through the windows, whispering secrets too heavy to be spoken aloud.
Inside the fourth prince's study, Ken sat before a table buried beneath piles of yellowed papers — the spoils of sleepless nights.The candles wavered, their light trembling across his tired face.
Marvin entered quietly, carrying a slim file edged in red.He placed it on the table and said softly:
"I found something… but it's not an official report."
Ken raised his eyes, then slowly opened the file.Inside lay a financial document stamped with the seal of the Orvallis Trade Corporation — a company owned by Darius.
A massive transfer, issued in the name of one of the Commerce Council ministers.The amount was far beyond what any legitimate deal could justify.
Ken read the final line under his breath:
"Recipient: Minister Kaid Hollen.Signature: Orvallis Trade Corporation — D.O."
He stayed silent for several seconds, then murmured in a tone that barely reached the air:
"Money leaves no trace… unless someone wants it followed."
Turning toward Gray, who stood watch by the door, Ken said calmly:
"Follow the minister. Three days. Don't interfere, don't speak — just observe."
Gray nodded once and vanished like a shadow slipping through the corridor.
The Next Day
The sky was gray, and the capital pulsed with the noise of merchants and marching soldiers.Gray moved unseen through the crowds, keeping his distance behind the minister.
His pursuit led him to the city's diplomatic quarter — to a small, secluded estate framed by tall pines.
That night, he saw the minister arrive with a man dressed in an elegant cloak, carrying a small black case.Gray crept close enough to hear their muffled voices through the window:
"The final payment… for the new contract settlements."
He didn't need to hear more.
Three nights later, he returned to Ken and reported steadily:
"The minister meets a representative from one of Darius's companies.Every meeting happens after sundown."
Elsewhere
At the same time, Ken had sent Marvin to question one of the royal finance clerks who had signed the suspicious document.The man was trembling, drenched in sweat, his voice barely a whisper:
"Everything comes from… above. No one asks from where."
When Marvin asked who "above" was, the clerk's mouth shut instantly — as if death himself stood behind the question.
Marvin returned to the palace and gave the only answer Ken needed.
"He's too afraid to say the name… but he doesn't have to."
The Speech
Days later, Darius stood upon the stage of the Royal Economic Hall, speaking to a sea of nobles and merchants.His voice was smooth, confident, rehearsed.
"For a more stable kingdom, we launch the Transparency Finance Program — a new era of clarity and reform."
Applause thundered through the hall.Ken, seated among the crowd, watched him with a blank expression, thinking:
"He preaches transparency… while laundering gold in the dark."
The Hidden Circle
That night, the three gathered again in Ken's chamber.Documents sprawled across the desk — names of families, companies, connections like veins on parchment.
Gray traced one of the maps with his finger.
"Every trail we follow… circles back to Darius."
Marvin replied quietly, eyes fixed on the pages:
"Circles don't break through strength… but through error."
Ken looked at them both, a faint, cold smile touching his lips.
"Then let's make them miscalculate."
Three Days Later
Marvin returned with tension etched across his face, a new report clutched in hand.
"A new company appeared in the capital last week.It's buying failing shares at absurd prices — and reselling them to firms tied to Darius."
Ken raised an eyebrow.
"Who owns it?"
"A personal adviser of Darius."
Ken was silent for a moment, then said simply:
"Gray… you'll go to them."
Gray frowned slightly.
"As who?"
"A northern trader. Your new name — Eran Neve.Your goal: attend their next business meeting, and find out who's pulling the strings."
The Meeting
In an opulent building in the heart of the capital, Gray attended the gathering in disguise — a dark cloak, a half-mask concealing his features.He sat among merchants who spoke in calm, careful tones about markets and profit margins.
Then he heard it.A single line that froze his blood mid-pulse:
"The next project will begin under the name Royal Stability Fund… under direct supervision of Darius Orvallis."
Gray hid his reaction behind the mask.He waited, listened, then slipped out unnoticed.
That night, he returned to the palace, his steps silent but swift.He knocked once, entered Ken's study, and laid a small folded note upon the desk.
One sentence was written across it:
"Royal Stability Fund — overseen by Darius Orvalis."
Ken stared at the note as the candle beside him burned lower, wax pooling like melted time.
Then, softly — almost as if speaking to his own reflection — he said:
"So… he's fortifying himself from within."
He rose and walked to the window.The city gleamed beneath the moon, beautiful and hollow.
Behind him, Marvin's voice broke the quiet.
"What's our next move, my lord?"
Ken didn't turn. His tone was calm, resolute — the sound of a blade sliding free of its sheath.
"We begin where everyone thinks the game has already ended."
And under that pale silver light, the quiet war between brothers — between blood and gold — continued to weave its first thread.
End of Chapter 45.