CHAPTER 214: FALL OF VALTAIR [10]

"Your Majesty?"

Alaric’s mind raced.

Then he leaned a little.

"Your Majesty. I—"

"It was you."

Vesperine’s green eyes held his.

"The disturbance in the trade routes. The collapsing contracts." Her smile remained pleasant. "I heard a certain someone has suffered quite a lot from this."

Alaric straightened slowly. Kept his posture respectful. But not submissive.

Before he could formulate a response—

"And don’t try to fool me." Her tone stayed light. Almost amused. "I was watching you. What you were doing here tonight. How you made that woman betray her husband in front of everyone."

She tilted her head, her smile widening.

"Quite scandalous. And—"

"I didn’t make her do anything."

Alaric met her eyes without flinching.

"She did that on her own—Urgh!"

Pressure crashed down again.

Alaric’s knees buckled slightly. His breath caught.

"How dare you interrupt Her Majesty!"

Sebastian’s voice came from beside him. The red mask turned toward him with barely contained violence.

"You will show proper respect or I will—"

Vesperine raised her hand again. "It’s alright, Ser Sebastian."

The pressure vanished instantly.

Vesperine stepped closer. Her eyes never leaving his face.

"It’s quite bold." She said it softly. "Either very brave or very stupid."

She circled him slowly.

"Do you know what you’re doing, Alaric Glimor?"

His didn’t responded, just waited.

"Sabotaging a Count’s operations. Manipulating his allies. Turning his own wife against him." She stopped in front of him. "That’s treason. Conspiracy. Sedition."

Her smile turned colder.

"If word got out about what you’ve done here tonight, if evidence surfaced connecting you to the trade disruptions..." She paused. Let the implication hang.

How the fuck did she even knew? I was thorough about it... No one could have found it.

"Duke Rithvale is already under investigation. Your family’s only protection. One piece of evidence linking you to treasonous activity..."

She didn’t finish. Didn’t need to.

Alaric’s hands clenched at his sides.

She either bluffing or testing me...

"But here’s the interesting part." Vesperine leaned in slightly. Her voice dropping. "I don’t even need to forge evidence."

Her smile turned sweet.

"You’ve been so thorough. So careful. But not quite careful enough." Her finger tapped her chin. "A few witnesses who saw you talking with certain merchants. The situation of you have with the Valtair’s. And the testimony from that Countess about how you seduced her into betraying her husband."

She spread her hands.

"The pieces are all there. I’d just need to... arrange them properly."

Silence stretched.

Alaric’s mind worked. Looking at her, her expressions, body language.

That’s just assumption, she’s not fully sure herself.

Vesperine’s expression softened. Became almost friendly.

"But I’m not interested in destroying you, Alaric." She stepped back. Gave him space. "In fact, I’m quite impressed. What you’ve accomplished in less than a week, dismantling a powerful Count’s network without anyone even realizing they were being played, that takes skill. Intelligence. Ruthlessness."

Her eyes gleamed.

She moved to lean against the desk.

"So here’s my offer. Work for me. Do what you’ve been doing, but under my direction."

Her smile returned. Warmer now. Inviting.

"In exchange, your secrets stay secret. Your family remains protected."

She tilted her head.

Sebastian stood silent. Watching. His hand resting casually near his sword.

Vesperine’s eyes held Alaric’s. Patient.

"What do you say, Alaric Glimor? Work for the Crown? Or take your chances with treason charges?"

Her smile widened.

"Choose carefully."

Alaric watched her carefully.

What a mess.

His mind churned.

I should have waited for tomorrow. Subjugated Vivienne somewhere privately. Away from prying eyes.

He closed his eyes and sighed.

Nope. I’m not playing any game for you. Find someone else.

He opened his eyes. Started to speak—

Then stopped.

System.

The familiar cyan panel popped in front of his eyes.

[Yes, host?]

Will I still get Domination Points if I work under her orders?

[If it’s a direct order and the subject is under her influence, then no. Your influence over the subjects is what matters for DP accumulation.]

Okay... And if I create the situation myself and she gives me commands based on those scenarios?

[Then yes. You’ll receive double the normal amount.]

Perfect.

He looked at Vesperine. She was still smiling. That confident, knowing expression. Like she’d cornered a particularly clever mouse.

I really hate that look.

Then he sighed again.

And walked to the chair across from where she stood.

But since you’re such a cutie...

Vesperine and Sebastian’s eyes followed his movement. Surprised. He was supposed to be cornered. Desperate.

Not... casual.

He sat. Settled into the chair with practiced ease. Looked up at Vesperine.

You’re allowed to do this. For now.

Vesperine’s amused expression flickered.

Then he nodded. "Alright. I’ll do it. But I have conditions."

Sebastian’s eyes narrowed. "You dare—"

Vesperine raised her hand. Stopped him mid-word.

"Alright." She moved to the other chair and sat across from him. Mirroring his posture. "Let’s hear them."

Alaric leaned back slightly. "First... what exactly do you want me to do?"

"Direct. I like that." Vesperine’s smile remained. "You’re aware of the attack on the capital? The one that killed multiple military officials?"

He nodded.

"There are insiders." Her voice dropped. Serious now. "Traitors within the nobility. Within the military. Working with external forces." Her eyes hardened. "Which means in a short amount of time there will be a coup attempt."

The weight of that statement settled heavy.

"I need allies. People who can operate in shadows. Who can identify traitors before they strike. Who can dismantle them."

She leaned forward slightly.

"I need you on my side. Working with me. Not against me."

Alaric processed, fast.

A coup. Internal enemies.

That’s... actually useful. More useful than I expected.

"Why me?" His voice stayed neutral. "I’m just an academy student."

"Because you’re smart. You do your work thoroughly. And." Her smile returned. Sharper. "You’re already compromised. Which means you have no choice but to be loyal."

Don’t push your luck.

"And how did you find out who I am?" That was the question he’d been waiting to ask.

Vesperine’s smile widened.

"No matter how someone alters their appearance, changes their voice, their face."

She tilted her head.

Then...

Her eyes changed.

The green irises shifted and became white. Glowing faintly with inner luminescence.

"Their soul remains the same."

Alaric’s eyes narrowed.

"She’s a Soul Path user?"