Chapter 10: ch-10 Thalorian Prime,
Inside, three figures stood beneath vaulted ceilings and shadowed pillars.
On the throne—no, not a throne, a monstrosity of jagged blackstone that seemed designed more for intimidation than comfort—sat the old Emperor, Caleus Invictu Valcaryn. Why every inch of the palace had to be covered in thorns, no one could say. Intimidation? Tradition? Madness? Maybe all three.
Standing to his right was the First Princess, calm and composed : Virelia Valcaryn. Regal, unreadable.
The third figure paced restlessly across the floor: Crown Prince Kaelion Valcaryn.
He moved like a storm barely held in check, straining against invisible chains, waiting—impatiently—for word for news of the plan’s success. Word of the mission’s success. Word of the death of Archduke William—chief general of the Terra Navy, the youngest yet most formidable military mind in the empire.
Their plan had been simple: eliminate William, secure the throne from any challenge, and ensure absolute control of the military under Imperial rule. Once again.
Now they waited for confirmation. And with each passing second, Kaelion looked more like a man on the edge of breaking. For if the plan failed, he would most likely become the prime target of suspicion—not only by Archduke William’s own family, but also by the Terra Cousins who had appointed him as the leader and supreme commander of the Terra Navy.
Why? Well, of course, because Kaelion, the Crown Prince himself, had a score to settle with William. A year ago, after being appointed Chief of the Terra Navy, Kaelion approached William, expecting him to pledge loyalty and join his camp.
It was meant to solidify Kaelion’s position, to make his future ascension uncontested.
But William had refused, bluntly and without ceremony. He had no interest in politics, nor in playing the prince’s games. From that day onward, Kaelion saw him as an obstacle—an insult to his authority, a stain on his pride.
And since then, the prince had gone out of his way to make life difficult for William, using every trick in the book. And not all of them were clean.