It was the morning after the coronation, and the Matten coven was in their suite, surrounded by a veritable mountain of tastefully decorated packages and lavishly wrapped gifts.
Last night was sothing else. They'd seen the power and grandeur of the Monarchy and it hadn't been lacking in any way.
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Now, it was ti to face the tangible rewards of Ezra's new status.
These evidently weren't just gifts but were also tributes from those who were trying to get an in, curry favor, seek alliances, or gain so kind of influence over the newest prince of the Nightmare Court.
In the living room, Olivia and Red eagerly unwrapped the first few gifts, Gen watching and comnting behind them.
They found exquisite jewelry that was perfectly cut, polished gemstones set in golden rings, watches of such superb craftsmanship that whoever made them couldn't be human or machine, and even clothes that were clearly designed for nobility.
Selling the gifts—not that they would—could easily net them enough money to live for a few hundred years. Without inflation, of course. No one knew what inflation could do in a hundred years.
The won divided the relevant gifts among themselves, while the watches and rare bottles of blood wine they'd received, a collection of deep, crimson liquids stored in crystal bottles with labels dating back centuries, were reserved for Ezra.
"So of these pieces must be worth entire estates." Red muttered as she examined a necklace designed with glimring black diamonds.
Olivia smirked. "That's because they are. The houses in the Monarchy don't just send gifts. They send statents."
Here, there was freedom. Here, everyone was rich and not stuck under the thumb of a City Lord or Count trying to check one's power.
This was really the land of milk and honey. The promised land.
Ezra watched them but his mind was sowhere else.
His attention was fixed on a single package that stood out. The sa one that his Aura couldn't penetrate.
With an exhale, he stood and walked to the place where it was in the pile of gifts. Reaching in, he retrieved the package he'd received from Prince Romanus.
He went back to the chair he'd been sitting on and made himself comfortable before opening the box. His Aura rushed in and inside, he found a neatly folded letter.
Breaking the seal, Ezra tilted his head as he read the letter by the subtle indents the pen and ink had left on it. No need to waste vitality on seeing the exact words.
The letter started with his na and title.
Prince Ezra Matten.
He nodded to himself. Just as it should be. Then, his attention ghosted over the other part of the letter.
Welco to the Monarchy. Consider this letter a gift of knowledge, free of charge. A token of goodwill from one prince to another.
As you settle into your role, you will learn that power is not just held. It is maneuvered, bartered, and taken.
You have been accepted into the Nightmare Court, but do not mistake acceptance for trust. There are those who would use you for their own ends, and those who would see you undone.
One in particular stands close to you. Be wary of Akiko. She may smile and support you on the surface, but she is not on your side.you.
Watch the fate of your unborn child carefully, for not all who offer their hand do so without intent.
Prince Romanus of the Daydream Court
Ezra's fingers tightened around the paper.
He inhaled slowly, his mind working at what the intentions of Prince Romanus were?
Was this an honest warning, or an attempt to set him against Akiko? And why ntion his unborn child?
He had known from the start that the Monarchy was not a vacation but he'd only been Prince for a day and here he was, being dragged into a plot.
Without hesitation, he let darkness pour from his palm, the shadows swallowing the letter whole until it disintegrated into nothingness.
Romanus had given him much to consider, but he would not let himself be manipulated so easily.
While he would stay wary of Akiko, he would not alienate her.
**********
Across the Monarchy, deep within his own grand estate, Prince Romanus stood before a massive, glowing screen, studying the endless streams of data displayed before him.
Inside him, Omnia worked to see the truths hidden behind the numbers and letters before him. He smiled at what he was getting.
Standing to the side and slightly behind him was the diplomat he had sent to Ezra's coronation.
Romanus chuckled, not bothering to turn his gaze away from the screen as he spoke. "Do you know what it ans for Ezra to be of the Progenitor's blood?"
He smiled, showing teeth. "It ans he is our only chance of opening the Gate of the Abyss."
The diplomat stiffened slightly. "The Abyss? You intend to—"
"Not yet." Romanus interrupted. "But very few things can escape the gaze of Omnia. And what Omnia sees, I see."
He narrowed his eyes in thought as he exhaled. "Do you know what the progenitor designed Omnia for? In fact, did you know that each Daydream relic was designed for sothing out of what they do?"
He didn't wait for an answer.
"Omnia was originally designed to make the Progenitor's heir, Shadrach, aware of the dangers of the Abyss and the gate. A safeguard. But Ezra..." He trailed off, a small smile appearing on his lips. "Ezra has figured out how to hide things from Omnia."
The diplomat shifted uneasily. "You an his blind eyes?"
Romanus finally turned, his expression unreadable. "Exactly. Why is he blind? What is he hiding? What are his plans for the Monarchy? I have no idea."
"He has found sothing that can hide from Omnia. Sothing the progenitor didn't design it to see. That makes him dangerous. But also... useful."
The diplomat hesitated before asking, "And that is why you warned him about Akiko?"
Romanus chuckled, the sound rich with amusent. "I rely planted a seed."
"Greed is such a beautiful emotion. And Akiko's greed will drive her to act. Whether she chooses to see Ezra as an ally or a threat, it will set events into motion that will benefit ."
The screen flickered, displaying a map of Monarchy territory. Red lines traced strategic routes, each marking places of interest.
Romanus tapped one, zooming into a specific location. The diplomat leaned forward slightly, taking in the information but remaining silent.
Romanus clasped his hands behind his back, eyes returning to the screen. "Ezra will have to react to what's coming. And when the ti cos, when he is forced to question who he can trust, I will be there. I will be the one who guides him. Gains his trust. Uses him."
The diplomat remained silent.
Romanus smiled. "Now, let us see how he plays his first move."
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