Chapter 50: Thutmose Geb (2)
Thutmose’s steps echoed against the polished stone floor, each footfall crisp and deliberate. The grand halls of the Earth Clan’s estate were vast, lined with towering pillars etched with the legacy of generations past.
Shadows danced along the walls as the mana torches flickered, their glow never quite reaching the vaulted ceilings. Yet despite the grandeur, his mind was far from the architectural marvel surrounding him. He was already dissecting every angle of the situation.
The Patrician was leaving.
That alone was rare. Rarer still was the trust placed upon him—the heir—to govern in the Patrician’s absence. It was an honor, but it was also a challenge.
Despite his status, his position had never been without opposition. The First Wife of the Patrician, Lady Nandi, had spent years solidifying her influence, weaving a network of support for her children—the firstborn son, whose birthright granted him a traditional claim, and the eldest daughter, whose sharp intellect and political cunning made her a formidable force within the clan’s inner circle.
But in the end, none of that mattered.
Not when he had outshined them both.
His strength, talent, and sheer potential had made him undeniable. His rise had not been due to favoritism—it had been merit. He had earned this.
And yet, the First Wife had never been one to sit idly by. Even after he had been named heir, she continued maneuvering in the shadows, rallying her supporters, preparing for the moment he would falter.
Now, with his father gone, the battlefield had shifted.
This was no longer about proving himself. This was about securing his rule beyond question.