Lord of Deception

Kael sat on his throne, his fingers tapping lightly against the armrest. The grand hall of his domain was bathed in a crimson glow, the chandeliers flickering as if reflecting the turbulent times ahead. Around him, his key allies and subordinates stood in silence, awaiting his next move.

He had spent the last few weeks carefully weaving his influence through the factions, dismantling his enemies before they even knew they were under attack. Now, the time had come to accelerate his plans.

A figure stepped forward—General Orvas, a hardened warlord who had once served under the previous regime. His expression was grim, yet his loyalty to Kael was evident in the way he kneeled before speaking.

"My lord, the Empire's council has sent an envoy," Orvas reported. "They demand an audience. It seems they grow restless with our recent… acquisitions."

Kael smirked. The Empire had been watching him closely, but now they were feeling the pressure of his expansion. He leaned forward slightly. "And what do they expect? That I'll kneel and beg for their approval?" His voice was laced with amusement, though his crimson eyes burned with calculation.

Before Orvas could answer, Lilian, one of his closest advisors and a noblewoman of the court, stepped forward. She had been instrumental in handling political affairs, and her presence was always a sign that something deeper was at play.

"My lord," Lilian said, her voice silk and steel, "this is not just about your rise in power. There are whispers that the Empire is preparing to strike. The envoy may be a distraction—a test to see how we respond."

Kael's smirk deepened. "Then we'll give them an answer they won't forget."

He stood, his presence alone commanding the attention of everyone in the hall. "Summon the envoy. Let them see what it means to stand before a ruler, not a pawn."

As Orvas and Lilian bowed and moved to carry out his orders, another voice echoed through the chamber.

"Am I late to the gathering?"

The room grew cold as the presence of Kael's mother, Selene Noctis, filled the space. Dressed in flowing black robes adorned with intricate demonic runes, her beauty was almost otherworldly, her silver hair cascading down her shoulders like rivers of moonlight. Her violet eyes gleamed with amusement, but beneath that, there was something far more dangerous—a predator lurking beneath the surface.

Kael turned to her, unfazed. "You're never late, mother," he said smoothly. "You simply arrive when it's most dramatic."

Selene chuckled, stepping closer, her movements effortless yet carrying the weight of someone who could command entire armies with a mere whisper. "You flatter me, my son. But I come bearing… unfortunate news."

The hall tensed. Selene's 'unfortunate news' usually meant disaster for someone—though rarely for Kael.

She leaned in slightly, lowering her voice so only Kael could hear. "The Empire is not the only one moving against you. There are forces beyond this realm who have taken interest in your rise. Some… less friendly than others."

Kael's expression remained unreadable, but internally, he was already considering his next moves. His mother never exaggerated threats, and if something had caught her attention, it was worth investigating.

Raising his hand, he silenced the murmurs in the hall. "Then it seems we have much to prepare for," he declared. His gaze swept over his gathered allies. "We face threats from all sides—both political and beyond. But we will not falter. We will not bow. This is our game, and we will dictate the rules."

The air crackled with energy, the weight of his words settling over everyone present.

The storm was coming.

And Kael would ensure he was the one controlling it.

To be continued.....