Ezra entered the top floor of Caspian Tower for another eting, one of the responsibilities of being a prince.
The roundtable was where it had always been, its polished surface reflecting the light of the grand chandeliers above. However, only one person was already seated.
Prince Vance. His eyes glead with amusent as he leaned back in his chair, idly toying with the silver ring on his finger.
Ezra took his seat without hesitation, tilting his head towards Vance confidently. "Early, or did you just not have anywhere better to be?"
Vance smirked. "A little of both. I do enjoy watching the new arrivals, you know." he paused. "You're a fascinating one, Ezra. Tell , how are you adjusting to your new… position?"
Ezra allowed a faint smile but didn't give much away. "I manage."
Vance chuckled, drumming his fingers against the table. "Oh, I'm sure you do. But managing is different from thriving. Let give you a tip. Free of charge. In this kingdom, survival is a ga of who moves first, and who moves best. If you do one, you have the other."
Before Ezra could respond, the doors opened simultaneously from both sides, and Prince Caspian and Princess Akiko entered together.
Caspian moved to his seat at the head of the table. "Let's begin."
Akiko grinned as she sat down, her eyes flicking between Ezra and Vance. "I hope you two didn't get too friendly without us."
Ezra kept his expression neutral, shifting his focus to Caspian as the eting began.
The eting this ti wasn't about borders, land or pleasantries. This ti, it was about power. And Ezra knew he was about to be tested once again.
"Today, we discuss governance." Caspian addressed the table before turning to gaze at Ezra. "A prince does not rule alone, and you will need capable hands to assist you."
Ezra nodded, watching as Caspian gestured toward the chamber doors. They swung open, and three figures entered.
Ezra had expected this. Handpicked Overseers. Not just aides, but spies planted in his court to keep him in check.
The first vampire, the one Caspian had chosen, was a tall, disciplined figure with pure silver hair and a rigid posture. He wore a dark military-style coat, every stitch like a statent of just how… ticulous he could be.
"This is Raphael Drayton." Caspian introduced. "He's a tactician and an enforcer. His experience in military operations and strategic planning is unmatched. He will make sure that your domain runs efficiently, with no weaknesses to exploit."
Ezra studied Raphael. A sixth ringed vampire just like he was.
There was no doubt the man was competent, but his loyalty would always remain with Caspian first. A soldier who followed orders above all else. A perfect plant.
Next, Vance waved lazily toward the second Overseer, a smirking figure dressed in a high-collared coat. His golden hair was neatly combed, and his eyes glead with amusent. Experience tales at My Virtual Library Empire
There was sothing serpentine about the way he moved, as if he was always ready to coil and strike. Not to ntion the fact that he was a fifth ringed vampire.
"et Aurelio Devereux." Vance said, leaning back in his chair. "A master of persuasion, deception, and unconventional warfare. Where force cannot be used, he finds... alternatives. I'm sure you'll find his skills useful."
Ezra knew exactly what Aurelio was.
A snake.
Soone adept at maneuvering behind the scenes, pulling strings, making problems disappear before they ever surfaced. He would be a nightmare to deal with, but useful, if properly controlled. Most importantly, he could be won over.
Finally, Akiko leaned forward, her eyes alight with curiosity. "And this is Kieran. Just Kieran." She said, motioning toward the last Overseer, a much younger vampire than the other two.
His hair was tousled, and though he lacked the confidence of the other two, his observant gaze told Ezra he was no fool. He was also a fifth ringed vampire.
"Eager, and ambitious." Akiko added with a grin. "He's got potential, but more importantly, he's adaptable. He's been trained in multiple disciplines. Combat, diplomacy, espionage. A little rough around the edges, but that just ans you can shape him into what you need."
Ezra t Kieran's gaze. The young vampire bowed slightly but held his stance firm and his back straight.
Ezra could see it in his eyes. Unlike the others, Kieran wasn't just a tool sent to spy. He was being tested, too. Akiko likely wanted to see what he would beco under Ezra's rule. A wildcard.
Ezra let the silence stretch for a mont before leaning forward, clasping his hands together. "These are fine choices." He said in an even tone, not allowing his true thoughts to show.
Caspian's expression didn't change. "Then you accept them?"
Ezra nodded. "I see the benefit of having them at my disposal. Their expertise will be put to good use."
Vance chuckled. "I do hope you enjoy their company."
Ezra glanced at each Overseer. "I will have my steward organize the details of their integration into my court. They will report directly to ."
There was an air of approval in the room and no one challenged his words.
Raphael gave the faintest nod of understanding, Aurelio smirked slightly, and Kieran's expression remained neutral, though Ezra could sense the tension in him.
It was final. It was done.
Caspian leaned back in his chair. "With that settled, there is another matter to discuss. As you already know, your domain is in the Monarchy's easternmost region."
"While there's just the sea for you to look at, it doesn't an we can't be attacked from there. You'll need to establish defenses quickly. The borderlands have long been quiet, but that does not an they always will be."
Ezra inclined his head slightly. "I've already begun considering fortifications. My people will need to assess the terrain before any major construction begins."
Akiko tapped a finger against the table. "There's also trade. You'll need a strong economic foundation. Taxes are necessary, but if you want your domain to thrive, securing trade routes will be just as important."
Vance grinned. "And, of course, there are the locals. So may welco a new prince. Others may require... persuasion."
Ezra kept his expression unreadable. "I'll manage my people accordingly."
The conversation stretched on, touching on policies, resource distribution, and the handling of disputes.
The Nightmare Court did not micromanage its princes, but that didn't an that every move he made would not be observed.
By the ti the eting ended, Ezra walked away with the understanding that his rule would not be as simple as having land and a title.
Every decision he made would be scrutinized. Every ally would be a potential enemy. And every gift ca with a price.
He had accepted the Overseers. Now, he had to figure out how to use them before they could be used against him.
Better to have the spies where he could see them than have them be hidden. In ti, he could get rid of them.
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