“Kaelen,” Lucian greeted with a cool nod, his expression giving nothing away.

Elara stiffened at the sound of her brother’s name. The man before her was none other than the crown prince.

“Your Highness,” she replied with what she hoped was her brother’s characteristic confidence, bowing slightly.

Lucian gestured to the seat across from him and settled into his own chair. After a pause, he spoke, his tone clipped and formal.

“Why don’t you begin, Kaelen? I’d like to hear your perspective on the matter first.”

Elara’s heart thudded in her chest. He wasn’t going to make this easy. “Certainly,” she replied, clasping her hands together to keep them from trembling. “The border skirmishes are merely symptoms of a larger problem. While it may appear to be a simple territorial dispute, the patterns suggest a deeper, coordinated effort to destabilize the region—one that directly involves the shifting alliances of Valdris and Vandoria.”

Lucian raised an eyebrow, signaling for her to elaborate.

“The bandit attacks aren’t just random raids,” she continued. “Their movements are too precise. They strike at supply routes that are crucial to Vandoria’s trade and military reinforcements, while simultaneously creating enough chaos to push Valdris toward considering breaking away from the kingdom’s rule. These aren’t mere opportunists—they’re being directed.”

Lucian’s expression remained impassive, but his mind whirred. Her analysis was sharp, precise—almost too precise for Kaelen. Still, he said nothing, allowing her to continue.

“There’s more,” she said, leaning forward slightly. “Financial records show irregularities in military expenditures. Supplies marked as delivered are missing, and there are discrepancies in troop payments. Someone with significant influence is siphoning resources, possibly to arm or fund these organized groups.”

Lucian tilted his head. “And your conclusion?”

Elara hesitated, knowing her next words would tread dangerous ground. “I believe a faction within the court is orchestrating this chaos. The attacks serve to weaken the crown’s influence over Valdris and Vandoria while using the bandits as a smokescreen. Meanwhile, the financial discrepancies suggest a well-placed individual funneling resources to fuel this instability.”

A flicker of something—approval? Amusement?—crossed Lucian’s face, but it vanished as quickly as it appeared. “And your solution, Kaelen?”

She took a breath, steadying herself. “A twofold approach. First, an immediate audit of the treasury and supply chains, conducted by someone outside the usual hierarchy to prevent interference.”

Lucian’s gaze sharpened. “You’re suggesting someone I trust implicitly, then. Someone outside the political quagmire.”

“Yes, Your Highness,” Elara replied, careful to keep her voice steady. “It must be done quietly, so as not to alert those involved.”

“And the second?”

“The border situation requires immediate attention,” she said. “Deploying an independent force—loyalists from the kingdom’s ranks, supplemented by select mercenary units—could help stabilize the area. However, their command must be strategically structured.”

Lucian leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. “Mercenaries are a gamble. What guarantees do you propose to secure their loyalty?”

Elara met his gaze, willing herself to stay calm. “By tying their rewards directly to the kingdom’s stability. Granting them temporary land rights in contested territories or long-term service contracts under strict oversight. If they fail to uphold their duty, they lose everything.”

Lucian’s eyes narrowed, his sharp mind processing her every word.

“Interesting,” he said at last. As the meeting ended, Elara felt a wave of relief. She had held her own under the prince’s unrelenting scrutiny, and for a moment, she thought she might escape unscathed.

But as she moved to leave, Lucian stood abruptly, stopping her in her tracks.

“One moment, Kaelen.” His voice was smooth, almost lazy, but the underlying authority made her freeze.

Turning, she faced him, her heart pounding.

Lucian approached slowly, his towering figure casting a shadow over her. His eyes, sharp and unyielding, locked onto hers.

“You’ve been... most helpful,” he said softly, his voice laced with something that made her skin prickle. “But I can’t help but wonder—who exactly am I speaking to?”

Before she could react, his hand reached out, brushing her face as if testing its authenticity. His other hand caught her wrist, holding her firmly in place.

“You do realize,” he murmured, his voice dangerously low, “that this little game of yours could cost you dearly.”

With one swift motion, he pulled away her mask. Her long hair cascaded down, and her true face was revealed.

Lucian’s eyes widened, his usual composure slipping for a fraction of a second. Then, a slow, sardonic smile spread across his face.

“Well,” he murmured, his thumb brushing her cheek, “this is certainly... unexpected.”