Charles sprang to his feet, disbelief etched across his face. "Impossible! Kevin would never do something like that!"

Emily's voice trembled as she spoke, struggling to find her words. "It happened, Charles. He was caught in the act, with the First Lady."

"Nonsense!" Charles snapped, his voice laced with conviction. "The First Lady has always been dignified and courteous. There's no way she'd have an affair! This has to be the handiwork of the First Lady's political enemies. A calculated slander campaign. How is she now?"

Emily's eyes glistened as she delivered the news, her voice barely a whisper. "The First Lady... she took her own life."

Though the answer was expected, rage bubbled up within Charles. Political power plays were as common as dirt in the capital. The Kent family's betrayal disappointed him greatly, but he could accept it. However, he could not tolerate the First Lady being falsely accused of such disgraceful conduct.

Kevin had deeply loved his wife, refusing to remarry long after her passing, and the thought of him with the First Lady was unthinkable. As for the First Lady herself, being the granddaughter of a Wall Street magnate had carried a reputation to uphold. Accusing her of unfaithfulness was akin to tarnishing the prestigious family name—an insult beyond measure. Surely, the First Lady, being a woman herself, understood the weight of such a slander?

“Wicked woman!” Charles uttered through clenched teeth. “Does she really think that such manipulative tactics will govern a nation? It’s laughable! Foolish!” 

Anne studied him, taken aback by the unprecedented anger boiling in Charles’s voice. She had intended to offer words of comfort, yet found herself at a loss.

Fortunately, Senator Burton interjected. “Mr. President, this isn't the time to dwell on this.”

After taking a deep breath, Charles composed himself. “You're right, Burton. Go and fetch Duke William and the Chairman for me. There’s no need to bother the Secretary of Defense.”

The Secretary of Defense had been appointed primarily as a measure against the Kent family—a steadfast elder whose impartiality came with an unswayable conscience. Too honest for his own good, he had grown soft in his old age, particularly fond of a son born to him late in life. The boy was frail and often bedridden, causing the Secretary no shortage of heartache. His path had crossed with a mysterious healer named Dalton...

Anne had performed healing miracles. Though not all-powerful, her skills in saving lives were remarkable. He couldn’t afford to gamble on diplomatic integrity.

Burton nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. “Please wait, Mr. President. I’ll see to it right away.”

As the room fell silent, Charles lowered himself back into his chair, a weary sigh escaping him as he gathered his thoughts. He turned to Emily. “When can the Texas troops arrive?”

“I’ve dispatched the deputy with 800 cavalry; they should be here by tomorrow,” Emily reported. “The remaining 3,000 will take another week or so, leaving around 1,000 to hold the fort back home.”

“A sound plan.” Charles nodded. “Meanwhile, see if you can get inside and learn about Kevin's forces.”

The stationed troops, numbering around 3,000, split into two factions—a left division responsible for city safety with four battalions each managing one quadrant and a right strongly dedicated to government security and the president alone, under Kevin's command. The First Lady's sudden assault on Kevin hinted that something suspicious had been unearthed...

Charles interrupted his own thoughts with a new decision. “No, change of plan. Get Kevin out of there. I need to talk to him myself.”

Breaking someone out of the heavily guarded Capitol was no easy feat, but Emily accepted the challenge, determination shining in her eyes. “As you command, sir.”

“Anne, any ideas?” He was not halfway through the question when Anne already had an answer ready.

She procured a thin strip of enchanted paper from her pouch. “Shadow Meld Charm—it’ll render you less detectable. Keep cautious, though. It can't make you invisible.”

“Thank you, Anne.” Emily received the charm with a firm nod. “I’ll bring Kevin back, I swear it.”

“Proceed judiciously,” Charles urged, watching as Emily offered a salute before exiting with purpose.

Now alone with Anne, Charles mused, speaking for her ears and his own. “The left division’s battalions likely lie in Kent’s pocket. It’s easy for their people to blend in amongst the ranks. With Kevin compromised, the right division’s vulnerable too.”

“If worst comes to worst, I’ll see to your safe escape,” Anne proposed.

Charles shook his head. “I refuse.”

“Is the presidency truly so indispensable?” Anne asked. “There are other paths you could tread.”

But Charles needed no reminder. “Anne, it’s not that I cling to the seat itself. I can fail. I can face death. What I can’t do is flee. I inherited this nation’s future from my predecessor and accepted the choice to lead. I can’t abandon the people now.”

With not a moment's hesitation, determination shone in Anne's eyes. “I understand. Then count on me to support you.”

“Then I can have a modicum of peace.” Charles massaged his temples, sighing. “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”

In truth, who willingly courts death if they can help it? Many dreams and counsels still remained unfulfilled... 

An hour later, Duke William and the Chairman appeared unannounced.

The Duke’s face was marked by surprise, the Chairman wore a crown of sorrow, his eyes awash with regretful tears. “My failure to steer the course. I’ve failed you, Mr. President!” he lamented, dropping to his knees, which Charles eagerly prevented.

“Please, get up,” Charles urged gently.

Burton, always prepared, spoke swiftly. “Chairman, lend us your ear.” He recounted events leading to the current crisis, especially the revelation of the White House imposter. It was the Duke’s turn to be consumed with guilt.

“I had no idea! My son…”

“If I had doubted you, I wouldn't have granted this audience,” Charles assured the elder leaders with the utmost respect. “Chairman, Duke, your integrity is unblemished. The President’s tenure reflects this—it’s not your fault.”

Once calmed, Charles outlined the circumstances they all now found themselves within. “We understand the stakes—has anyone devised a strategy?”

Breaking the silence, the Duke led the conversation. “My son witnessed the State Orator’s miraculous abilities. Deep wounds healing to the very bone in mere moments... If I hadn’t seen it vicariously, I wouldn’t have believed such prowess exists.”

“It’s Dalton who proves the wild card,” the Chairman observed, glancing at Anne, who somewhat skeptically continued enjoying her tea and snacks. “How confident are you in your abilities, honored sage?”

Anne replied truthfully, “Hard to say. Only a direct confrontation will tell.”

“Your task is to keep Dalton occupied, away from aiding the First Lady,” Charles instructed, setting firm his resolve. “Whatever Kent’s family promises, I can match.”

Anne feigned disappointment, pretending to pout. “And what will you offer me?”

One glance at her face rendered the room’s tension palpable, eyes shifting back to Charles.

He met her gaze without flinching. “Beat Dalton, and the title of First Lady will be yours.”

Confused yet intrigued, Anne merely chuckled, recognizing the gravity of their predicament. “Such resolve you possess…a jest I assure, for another time.”

The Duke, however, harbored suspicions. History had shown the dangers of external forces meddling in internal matters, yet he refrained from voicing them, seeking reassurance from Senator Burton.

Burton’s subtle shake of the head held precedent, leaving the Duke speechless.

All the while, the Chairman—a veteran of political intrigue—calmly watched events unfold, taking solace that the President knew his allies and adversaries well.

Charles simply watched them jockey, aware that leadership battles were inevitable. Yet now, all were indeed unified against a common threat—should the Kent family succeed, it would spell ruin for them all.

The chamber door then resounded with knocks. Opening the portal revealed Emily’s solitary return. Without prompting, she reported: “The three battalions of the West, North, and South are already in motion. The Eastern Commander informed me, well-disposed from past ties with Kevin.”

Darkness descended upon Charles’s expression. “And Kevin himself?”

“His loyalty repaid in tragic currency,” Emily breathlessly extracted the words. “He’s taken his own life.”

A shared breath of despair permeated the room.

“The right division now falls to Rick’s temporary leadership. However, I’ve heard whispers of the Northern Commander’s premature ascension. Action is expected imminently.”

The Duke pondered the gravity of Emily's report. “The right division’s fate is contingent, Mr. President. How shall you proceed?”

In this climate, with treachery lingering within the ranks, Charles's remaining viability as Washington's leader faltered. To flee and rally forces from the states promised greater security, for, as rightful Commander-in-Chief, forces would muster against Kent’s treason. Without Dalton’s influence, Kent’s failure appeared inevitable. Yet to hope for a swift resolution amidst conflict was naive at best.

“Charles, do not brave collapsing walls—your presence ensures eventual victory,” the Duke advised with earnest gravity.

Turning to the Chairman, Charles sought concurrence.

Ever pragmatic, however, the Chairman differed in perspective. “Time merely strengthens our foe—as does Dalton’s presence. Strike with precision while advantage lingers.”

Burton, the neutral, interjected. “Those enlisted within our guard likely remain unaware of the White House facade—Kent’s family maintains a deceptive hold.”

Anne further supported the claim. “While capitalizing on coincidence aids falsehood, no sorcery should yield Dalton an unstoppable pawn.”

“Then Kevin’s plight reveals ultimate fate.” Charles pondered, then steeled himself. “I've resolved it—insights, anyone?”

#### Author’s Note:

*Additional content provided on 2.26:*

- Heroine recuperating, combat readiness against Dalton requires recovery.