Chapter 114: Next Step

Elizabeth’s office was plunged into a calm twilight, broken only by the sound of the wind whipping against the high windows. The smell of burning parchment and fresh ink hung in the air. Ester stood at her desk, her hands clasped behind her, her face serious. Elizabeth, on the other hand, slumped in her chair, her gaze lost in the papers spread out before her.

“Caelam and Garrick…” she murmured, without looking up. “I already knew they wouldn’t last long. But I didn’t think they’d fall so soon.”

Her tone wasn’t cold—it was exhausted. There was a strange weight to her words, as if each syllable dragged memories she’d rather let die.

Ester leaned back slightly, watching. “You expected them to die,” she said bluntly, “but within the duchy, not on the way.”

Elizabeth let out a short sigh. “Exactly.” She looked up, her green eyes like blades dulled by insomnia. “Within the duchy, at least there would be something to gain. A symbolic death, a political excuse… something that would yield an advantage.” She paused, touching her fingers to her temple. “But dying like that? It only served to rob me of the last decent knights I had.”

Ester narrowed her gaze. “Then everything isn’t fine.”

“Of course it isn’t fine,” Elizabeth retorted, a little louder than she intended. “I lost two men who still knew what loyalty meant, in a sea of ​​incompetents and opportunists.” She leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table. “What do you want me to say? That I’m calm? That I trust things will work out?”

Silence fell for a moment, heavy and icy. Ester watched her silently, her golden eyes impassive.

Elizabeth took a deep breath and, after a moment, murmured, “The truth is, I’m running out of options. Perhaps I should start forming another order.” She gave a tired half-smile. “A new batch of idiots with shining armor and paper honor.”

“A new order of knights or some bullshit like that.” Ester repeated the phrase dryly.

Elizabeth raised an eyebrow, slightly amused. “Exactly. Some bullshit like that.”

The two of them looked at each other. There was a sharp familiarity between them—something between respect and provocation.

Ester crossed her arms. “And what are you going to do until then?”

Elizabeth leaned back, drumming her fingers on the table. “Pray that Damon doesn’t destroy the entire castle, maybe.” A wry smile formed on her lips. “Or send him after more monsters. He seems to enjoy that.”

Ester was silent for a moment, her gaze lost in the distance. Then she spoke calmly: “Why don’t you send him to that old idiot?”

Elizabeth blinked. “Which old idiot?”

“The one you’re always complaining about never dying,” Ester replied, her tone equally cold. “The master of the old guard. The one who trained the knights before you took the mansion for yourself.”

Elizabeth gave a brief laugh. “Ah, him.” The smile turned into a grimace. “Grumpy, stubborn old man, thinks he’s still living in the golden age of chivalry.”

“Perfect for Damon,” Ester said without hesitation.

Elizabeth arched an eyebrow. “Are you suggesting I send the most unstable man who ever walked here to submit to the doctrine of an elder who believes in virtue and obedience?”

“I’m saying you need a knight,” Ester retorted. “And Damon already fights like one. All he needs is the title.”

Elizabeth twirled her wineglass in her hands, watching the scarlet liquid swirl. “You sound like he’ll accept it.”

Ester shrugged. “He will. If you ask him to.”

Elizabeth let out a sound that was half laugh, half sigh. “You overestimate me, Ester. He’s more likely to listen if you ask.”

“He’s not the kind to bow his head,” she confirmed, “but he is the kind who recognizes purpose.”

Elizabeth stared at the woman in front of her. There was something in her voice—a calm, almost provocative firmness.

“Purpose, is it?” she asked. “And what would that be?”

Ester approached the table, resting her hands on the edge. “You need a new symbol. Something that inspires obedience without fear. Damon could be that symbol, if you know how to control him. And the old fool could be the first step.”

Elizabeth was silent for long seconds, her gaze fixed on the glass. After a moment, she murmured, “Maybe you’re right.” She gave a small, thoughtful smile. “Or maybe he’ll kill the old man and I’ll have another problem.”

Ester gave a half smile. “In that case, it would still solve two problems at once.” Elizabeth arched her eyebrow, trying to stifle a laugh. “I like your optimism.”

Ester simply responded with a calm, impassive look. “It’s not optimism. It’s calculation.”

Elizabeth leaned back in her chair, staring at the ceiling for a moment. “Calculation…” she repeated. “You and your always cold, always precise plans.” Then she turned her face back to her. “Very well. I’ll consider it.”

Ester gave a slight nod and took a step back.

Elizabeth watched the movement, and for a moment, the weariness in her eyes seemed to lessen.

“Ester,” she called, before the woman left. “Do you really believe Damon would fit the mold of a knight?”

Ester paused in the doorway and glanced over her shoulder. “No,” she replied. “Far from it, but you need power, and it’s growing very fast…”

Ester gave a small smile, the kind of smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “And power, Elizabeth, doesn’t require armor or swearing fealty. You just need to be willing to use it.”

Elizabeth was silent for a moment, watching her. Ester’s words echoed through the office, mingled with the sound of the wind that made the curtains ripple slowly.

“Are you saying I should mold Damon?” she asked suspiciously.

Ester turned completely, crossing her arms. “I’m saying the mold doesn’t matter anymore. You’re always talking about tradition, politics, keeping up appearances. But the world out there is changing. Nobles kill nobles, and monsters walk in broad daylight. You need something… or someone… that others fear enough to think twice before challenging you.”

Elizabeth frowned. “A war dog.”

“A symbol,” Ester corrected calmly. “And the difference is who holds the leash.”

Elizabeth chuckled, tilting her head. “And you think you can handle his?”

Ester returned the look, unwavering. “I think we both can.” For a few seconds, the air between them seemed to fill with something thicker than silence. Elizabeth rested her chin on her hand, studying her. There was a dangerous confidence in Ester—the kind born of someone who has faced monsters, human and worse, and survived to see the dawn.

“You speak of him as if he were a force of nature,” Elizabeth said finally. “Cold, uncontrollable, devastating.”

“That’s what he is,” Ester replied. “I’ve seen him change in just two weeks of travel… no, I’ve seen him change since the day he arrived here… He’s quite different.”

Elizabeth stared out the window, her gaze lost in the gray horizon. Outside, the wind was picking up, and a hint of snow seemed to be coming from far away, even unseasonably.

“Do you really believe Damon can be controlled?”

“No,” Ester said without hesitation. “But he can be convinced.”

Elizabeth turned to her again, and there was a spark of curiosity there. “Convinced… of what?”

“To fight for something he believes in,” Ester replied. “Or someone.”

The silence returned, heavy, full of possibilities. Elizabeth leaned back in her chair, twirling her glass between her fingers.

“It wasn’t him who changed, Ester. It was you.”

“…

“For someone who hated everything I asked for when I brought an Incubus here, you’re paying him quite a bit of praise, don’t you think?” Elizabeth arched an eyebrow, an almost feline smile emerging.

Ester didn’t answer immediately. She took a step forward, her gaze steady and calm. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Lady Elizabeth.”

Elizabeth held her gaze for a few seconds and then let out a low, dry laugh. “So cute, in love.”

“I’m not in love,” Ester replied, with a hint of irony.

Elizabeth looked her up and down, and then murmured, almost to herself, “Hm… is his dick good?”

“Yes, of course,” Ester replied. “W-wait! I didn’t say that.”

Elizabeth laughed again, a short sound, but sincere this time. She rose from her chair, resting her hands on the table. “Hmm… I wonder if it’s good enough for me to test it myself.”

Ester tilted her head slightly. “T-test it?”

“Of course,” Elizabeth replied. “You think what? That I brought him to sleep with you and Aria for nothing? I want to see how much he can evolve on his own by seducing you, but I have needs too, you know?” Her gaze grew distant. “I won’t let anyone take what’s mine. Understand?”

Ester didn’t seem surprised. “You’re fine… serious.”

Elizabeth gave a half smile. “That’s how they forged me.”

The two of them were silent for a moment. The sound of the flames in the fireplace seemed louder now, and a long shadow crossed the floor between them.

“Everything is changing, Esther,” Elizabeth said finally. “Paraphal has fallen, the duchies are beginning to stir, and the lesser families are testing their limits. The court will want answers.”

“Let’s begin my plan… total domination.”

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