THE GENERAL'S DISGRACED HEIR

"Tea," Litty declared abruptly, clearly grateful for something practical to focus on. "I believe we could all use some tea."

She moved with purpose toward a relatively intact cabinet in the corner, retrieving a small service that had somehow survived the previous devastation. With practiced efficiency, she prepared a steaming pot of aromatic blend, the familiar ritual creating a momentary island of normalcy amid the swirling tensions.

Seraphina accepted the offered cup with gracious appreciation, her posture shifting subtly as the confrontational edge receded from her demeanor. When she spoke again, her voice carried professional crispness rather than provocative undertones.

"Thank you," she acknowledged to Litty before turning to David. "I apologize for the dramatic entrance. Unfortunately, circumstances have developed that require immediate attention."

David's expression shifted immediately to alert focus, the previous awkwardness forgotten. "Angelica report!?"

"Yes. She's been monitoring Salomonis as instructed," Seraphina confirmed, setting her teacup down with precise movements. "Several hours ago, Minister Salomonis was apprehended at the Fifth Bridge while attempting to leave the capital."

Elara stiffened, personal concerns instantly overshadowed by political implications. "Who authorized the detention?"

"Death Sun himself led the operation," Seraphina replied, her gaze steady as she delivered the troubling news. "Sir Duk Villanties personally escorted the Minister back toward the Castle of the Sun. Our sources confirm he's being held in the upper detention level—the accommodation reserved for politically sensitive prisoners rather than common criminals."

"What possible justification could they have?" Elara demanded, flames once again dancing unconsciously around her fingertips.

Seraphina's eyes tracked the elemental display without comment before she answered. "Based on what Angelica has been able to observe and the fragments of information we've gathered, it appears the Duke is investigating the Minister's involvement in your... absence... from Lysora County." She tapped a finger thoughtfully against her teacup. "The ostensible concern seems to be administrative negligence—specifically, allowing an Archon to depart her territory without proper imperial notification."

"A pretext," David observed quietly, his mind already calculating implications and countermeasures.

"Most likely," Seraphina agreed. "Though the specific motivation behind it remains unclear. Our intelligence network has limitations, especially within the Castle of the Sun."

David nodded, a furrow appearing between his brows as he processed this information. Something about the Duke's behavior felt discordant with everything he knew of the man. In the widely-circulated novel 'Trials of Valor' that chronicled Duke Ephesians's rise through imperial ranks, he had been portrayed as straightforward and honorable to a fault—a military man who valued direct confrontation over political maneuvering.

This doesn't align with his established character, David thought privately. Such a circuitous approach suggests either the novel fabricated his nature entirely, or something—or someone—is influencing his decisions. The possibility of external manipulation added a troubling new dimension to an already complex situation.

"At this point, we're piecing together fragments of information," Seraphina admitted. "Angelica observed Salomonis being escorted into the Castle of the Sun by Death Sun himself. She couldn't get close enough to hear any accusations being made, but the formal protocols being followed suggested this was an official detention rather than a simple questioning."

She paused, organizing her limited information carefully. "What we do know is that guardsmen were dispatched to seal Salomonis's quarters at the ministerial residence, and documents relating to Lysora County administration were specifically targeted for confiscation."

"That suggests they're building a case around my absence," Elara concluded, her political acumen immediately grasping the implications.

"That would be my assessment as well," Seraphina agreed. "Though without direct access to the interrogation, we can only speculate about Salomonis's responses or the exact nature of the allegations."

She paused, tapping her finger against her teacup in thought. "As for Salomonis's responses, we can only piece together fragments. From what our sources have gathered and the patterns of the guards' subsequent movements, it appears he's being uncooperative—likely maintaining the official story about your private journey and temporary administrative arrangements."

"That would be consistent with Salomonis's character," David observed. "He's not easily intimidated, even by someone of the Duke's standing."

"That would be consistent with Salomonis's character," David observed. "He's not easily intimidated, even by someone of the Duke's standing."

"Mariana," Elara whispered, worry briefly overcoming her controlled exterior. "If they determine Salomonis is being uncooperative..."

"There are... troubling rumors," Seraphina cut, her tone more tentative as she ventured into areas where their intelligence was less solid. "Court whispers suggest the Duke may be contemplating some form of intervention in Lysora County. Nothing confirmed, of course, but several of our contacts have noted unusual troop movements and resource acquisitions that would align with preparation for deployment."

She gestured vaguely with one hand, emphasizing the speculative nature of this information. "If—and I stress this is only speculation at this point—if the Duke were planning such action, he would likely cite imperial security concerns to justify it. The unusual absence of an Archon provides convenient pretext."

"Mariana," Elara whispered, worry briefly overcoming her controlled exterior. "If these rumors prove true..."

"How long do we have?" David asked, his voice carrying the calculated precision of someone already formulating multiple strategies.

"If the rumors are accurate, troop preparation would take at least thirty-six hours," Seraphina responded with measured consideration. "Administrative procedures would likely add another day or two. Our best estimate—should the worst-case scenario materialize—places any potential arrival of imperial forces in Lysora at approximately four days from now, perhaps five."

"Four days," Elara repeated, her expression hardening into something dangerous. "Four days before that bastard potentially marches on my territory and threatens my sister."

"Five at most," Seraphina corrected gently. "And only if our intelligence assessment proves accurate. But regardless, we should operate under the assumption that time is limited."

"We?" Elara inquired, one eyebrow raised in challenge.

Seraphina inclined her head slightly. "David's interests and yours appear aligned in this matter. Where he commits resources, so do I."

A tense silence settled over the laboratory as Elara studied Seraphina with calculating assessment, weighing trust against necessity, personal complications against political realities. Finally, her gaze shifted to David.

"You knew," she stated, not a question but a realization. "You anticipated this move against Salomonis."

"I considered it a possibility," David admitted, though his expression betrayed subtle confusion.

He paused, considering whether to voice his deeper thoughts. Something about the Duke's behavior felt fundamentally inconsistent with the man portrayed in "Trials of Valor" – the biographical account that had shaped public perception of Duke Ephesians as an honorable, direct military commander who disdained political games.

This circuitous approach through Salomonis suggested either the biography had fabricated his character entirely, or something – or someone – was influencing his decisions in ways contrary to his established nature.

But now was not the time to share these speculations. Instead, he focused on the immediate threat.

Yue, who had been uncharacteristically quiet during this exchange, finally spoke. "The political maneuvering is fascinating, but I'm more concerned with the immediate practical implications." She turned to David with the direct approach of someone who had long ago lost patience with diplomatic obfuscation. "What exactly do you intend to do about this situation?"

All eyes turned to David, awaiting his response. The question hung in the air, heavy with expectation and the weight of decisions that would reshape more than just personal relationships—decisions that might determine the fate of an entire county and the future of the imperial balance of power.

In that moment of focused attention, only Luna and Vespera noticed the subtle change in Draven's posture as he rose silently to his feet, his massive armored form positioning itself with tactical precision to guard the laboratory entrance.