The Commoner King: Rebirth of the Administrative Prince

The arrest of Professor Alden sent shockwaves through the Royal Academy. Whispers of treason and conspiracy spread like wildfire, and the once-stable halls of the institution were now filled with tension and suspicion. Cedric and his allies found themselves at the center of the storm, their every move scrutinized by both friends and foes.

In the days that followed, Headmistress Elara worked tirelessly to uncover more about the Shadow Council. She interrogated Alden, but the professor remained tight-lipped, his loyalty to the Council unshaken.

"He won't talk," Elara said during a private meeting with Cedric and his allies. "But we've managed to piece together some information from his correspondence. The Council has members in every major institution—the court, the military, even the merchant guilds."

Cedric frowned, his mind racing. "If they're that powerful, why haven't they taken over completely?"

"Because they don't need to," Elara replied. "They already control everything from the shadows. Openly seizing power would only expose them. Their strength lies in secrecy."

Lysandra leaned forward, her expression thoughtful. "Then our best chance is to expose them. If we can reveal their influence, we can turn the kingdom against them."

Tristan crossed his arms, his tone skeptical. "Easier said than done. If they're as entrenched as you say, they'll have eyes and ears everywhere. One wrong move, and we're dead."

Cedric nodded, his resolve hardening. "Then we'll have to be smarter. We'll need proof—something undeniable that even they can't cover up."

Elara's lips curved into a faint smile. "That's where you come in. The Council sees you as a threat, which means they'll be watching you closely. But it also means you have the potential to draw them out."

Seraphina, who had been silent until now, spoke up. "We'll need a plan. Something bold enough to force their hand but subtle enough to avoid suspicion."

Cedric met her gaze, a spark of determination in his eyes. "Then let's give them a show they won't forget."

---

The plan was risky, but it was their best chance. Cedric would publicly announce a new initiative—a project to modernize the kingdom's infrastructure using his mother's blueprints. The announcement would be made during the academy's annual exhibition, a high-profile event attended by nobles, merchants, and scholars from across the kingdom.

"If the Council sees this as a threat, they'll try to stop us," Cedric explained to his allies. "And when they do, we'll be ready."

Lysandra nodded, her expression serious. "We'll need to secure the blueprints and protect the workshop. If they get their hands on them, it's over."

Tristan cracked his knuckles, a grim smile on his face. "I'll handle security. No one's getting near that workshop without a fight."

Garrett, who had been unusually quiet, spoke up. "What about Finn? If the Council finds out he talked, they'll come after him."

Cedric's expression softened. "We'll keep him safe. He's one of us now."

---

The days leading up to the exhibition were a whirlwind of activity. Cedric and his allies worked tirelessly to prepare, their every move calculated to draw the Council's attention without revealing their true intentions.

But the Shadow Council was not idle.

One evening, as Cedric was reviewing the blueprints in the workshop, a faint noise caught his attention. He turned, his hand instinctively reaching for a dagger, but the room was empty.

Then he saw it—a small, folded piece of parchment lying on the worktable.

He picked it up, his heart pounding as he unfolded it. The message was short and chilling:

*"The spider weaves its web. Be careful where you step."*

Beneath the message was the same symbol as before—a serpent coiled around a crown.

Cedric's jaw tightened. The Council was watching.

---

The night before the exhibition, Cedric gathered his allies in the workshop. The air was thick with tension as they went over the final details of their plan.

"This is it," Cedric said, his voice steady. "Tomorrow, we make our move. But we need to be ready for anything. The Council won't go down without a fight."

Tristan nodded, his expression grim. "We'll be ready. But if things go south, we need a way out."

Lysandra pulled out a map of the academy, pointing to a series of marked routes. "These are the safest paths to the exits. If we need to retreat, we'll use these."

Seraphina, who had been silent until now, spoke up. "There's one more thing. If the Council tries to sabotage us, they'll likely target the exhibition itself. We need to be prepared for that."

Cedric nodded, his mind racing. "Then we'll have contingencies. No matter what happens, we can't let them win."

---

As the meeting ended, Cedric found himself alone in the workshop, the weight of their plan pressing down on him. He stared at the blueprints, his mother's designs a reminder of what was at stake.

"You're not alone," a voice said softly.

Cedric turned to see Seraphina standing in the doorway, her expression unreadable.

"I know," he said, his voice quiet. "But sometimes it feels like the whole world is against us."

Seraphina stepped closer, her gaze steady. "Then we'll change the world. Together."

For a moment, Cedric felt a flicker of hope. But it was quickly overshadowed by the knowledge of what lay ahead.

The Shadow Council was watching. And they would stop at nothing to maintain their grip on power.

---