2025-05-29 23:45:36A faint afternoon sun slanted through the palace’s solarium windows as Celestia hosted a private gathering of carefully chosen nobles. Over fragrant tea and wine, she moved with practiced grace, her laughter and compliments lighting up the room. To an outside observer, it looked like nothing more than a casual high-born social call. In truth, Celestia was spinning threads of influence as delicately as a spider weaving a web.
Seated to her right was Duke Varian, a portly noble with considerable sway over several northern provinces. He boasted of his youthful exploits, and Celestia leaned in with a warm smile when he finished. “My lord Duke, your leadership is exactly what the North will need in the days to come,” she purred.
Across from them, Countess Marielle, an elegant widow who funded many mercantile ventures, raised a brow. “Speaking
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CHAPTER 75: Kingdom Divided (1)
Sunrise cast a golden glow over the northern fields as Ethan rode along a dirt path, flanked by Nina. Rows upon rows of green potato plants stretched out on either side. Villagers were already at work, tending the rich soil. The air was crisp and filled with the promise of a bountiful harvest.Ethan dismounted near a bustling field. A group of children ran by, giggling, their arms full of freshly dug potatoes. Nina laughed softly at the sight. Her cheeks were rosy from the morning chill, and a smudge of dirt streaked her forehead from an earlier inspection."Lord Ethan!" An elderly farmer approached, wiping his brow. "Look at this!" He proudly held up an enormous potato, soil crumbling off its dimpled skin. "Never seen yields like this in all my years."Ethan grinned and clapped the man on the shoulder. "It’s incredible. This will keep every belly in the North full through winter." He glanced at Nina, who stood shyly by his side. "We have Lady Nina to than
CHAPTER 74: Shadow of Kaelthorne
Kaelthorne stood in the dimly lit throne room, a wraith-like figure draped in midnight robes. The torches flickered against stone walls, casting long shadows that danced around him. King Aldric lay slumped on his golden throne, face ashen with illness. Kaelthorne leaned close, voice a silken whisper."Your Majesty, rest," Kaelthorne cooed softly, placing a hand on the sickly king’s shoulder. His other hand subtly tipped a vial into the goblet of wine at Aldric’s side. "I will handle today's affairs. You need only conserve your strength."King Aldric nodded weakly, too frail to protest. Kaelthorne's lips curled into a satisfied smirk as the king sipped. Each dose of poison did its work, keeping Aldric docile and dependent. Soon, the throne will effectively be mine, Kaelthorne thought, eyes glinting in the half-light.Across the hall, a pair of guards exchanged uneasy glances. They sensed something amiss, but none dared question the king’s favore
CHAPTER 73: Evermore
Moonlight poured in through the open window of the manor’s small library, casting silver squares on the floor. Ethan found Celestia there alone, standing by a table strewn with scrolls. She had said she was retiring early with a headache, but here she was, gaze lost in the flicker of a single candle. The tension lingering between them all day weighed heavily in the quiet room.Ethan closed the door softly behind him. “Celestia,” he said gently.She turned, surprised but not upset at his intrusion. In her simple nightrobe and shawl, she looked so delicate it stirred his protectiveness. “Ethan,” she replied, managing a soft smile. “Shouldn’t you be resting? Dawn comes soon and you’ve been working since before sunrise.”“I could ask the same of you,” Eth
CHAPTER 72: Miracle King
The chill of winter gradually gave way to gentle spring across the Northern Reach. Months into Ethan’s tenure, borderlands and its villages buzzed with reconstruction. Under his leadership, ruins became building sites and despair turned to determination. Common folk began to call their marquis the “Miracle King,” for every week brought new wonders from Ethan and his companions.On a crisp morning, Ethan stood atop the half-rebuilt city wall of Carosso, surveying activity below. Where there had been rubble, new stone foundations stretched for a marketplace and granary. Villagers and workers moved with purpose, inspired by their marquis’s tireless example. Ethan had instituted a rotating labor schedule so each family had hands in rebuilding while still tending farms. Productivity soared – a simple idea from his old world that felt revolutionary here.
CHAPTER 71: The North
Trumpets echoed in the grand hall as King Aldric proclaimed the new title before assembled courtiers. “For valor beyond measure and service to the crown, we bestow upon Sir Ethan of Carosso the title of Marquis of the Northern Reach,” the King announced. Murmurs swept the hall while Ethan knelt on the marble floor, stunned. Celestia stood at Ethan’s side in formal attire, her face a serene mask that hid her apprehension.Aldric’s attendants brought forth a velvet cushion bearing a silver badge of office. The King himself pinned the badge to Ethan’s cloak. “Rise, Lord Ethan,” he said warmly. “You shall depart at once to oversee the North’s restoration. The borderlands are yours to govern and rebuild in my name.”Ethan rose, bowing deeply. “I am honored, Your Majesty,” he managed, voice stead
CHAPTER 70: Web
A faint afternoon sun slanted through the palace’s solarium windows as Celestia hosted a private gathering of carefully chosen nobles. Over fragrant tea and wine, she moved with practiced grace, her laughter and compliments lighting up the room. To an outside observer, it looked like nothing more than a casual high-born social call. In truth, Celestia was spinning threads of influence as delicately as a spider weaving a web.Seated to her right was Duke Varian, a portly noble with considerable sway over several northern provinces. He boasted of his youthful exploits, and Celestia leaned in with a warm smile when he finished. “My lord Duke, your leadership is exactly what the North will need in the days to come,” she purred.Across from them, Countess Marielle, an elegant widow who funded many mercantile ventures, raised a brow. “Speaking
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