Lord of Deception

The chamber remained in tense silence. The weight of Kael's words pressed upon the nobles and generals like a crushing force. A traitor among them—someone who had already made their move.

Empress Selene's fingers tapped against the polished armrest of her throne. The sound echoed through the chamber like the ticking of an unseen clock, counting down the moments before chaos would erupt.

Kael, standing tall and unwavering, allowed himself a brief moment to enjoy the unease. Fear was a powerful tool. These nobles, for all their scheming and hidden ambitions, had grown comfortable. But now? Now, they were forced to acknowledge that they were playing a game far bigger than they had imagined.

A single question lingered in the air.

Who among them had betrayed the empire?

Selene broke the silence. "You suggest we let them think they've won, but a traitor in our midst is no small matter. If they have already made their move, what stops them from doing so again?"

Kael turned his gaze toward her. She was testing him.

"Nothing," he admitted. "And that is exactly why we must not strike recklessly. If we do, we risk revealing that we are aware of their existence. Instead, we play the long game."

A ripple of unease spread through the nobles. To knowingly allow a traitor to move unchecked? To bait them into revealing themselves rather than cutting them down immediately? It was a dangerous strategy—one that required absolute control.

Selene studied him carefully. "And if this gamble costs us more than we can afford to lose?"

Kael smiled, sharp as a blade. "Then we will ensure the cost is theirs to bear."

Selene exhaled softly. A silent understanding passed between them. This was no ordinary noble. Kael played the game as if he had already won.

One of the nobles, Duke Alvar, a man known for his aggressive military stance, leaned forward, his expression tight with suspicion.

"And how, exactly, do you plan to identify this traitor? Should we simply sit and wait while our enemies gather strength?" His voice was laced with barely concealed disdain.

Kael didn't even bother to look at him. "No," he said smoothly. "We accelerate their plans."

A murmur swept through the chamber.

Selene tilted her head slightly, curiosity flashing in her violet eyes. "Elaborate."

Kael took a slow step forward. "Whoever our enemy is, they have already invested resources into this scheme. If we were to suddenly introduce an unexpected factor, one that threatens to undo their work, they will be forced to act—revealing themselves in the process."

Duke Alvar scoffed. "And what, pray tell, is this grand 'unexpected factor'?"

Kael's gaze finally flicked to him, and his smirk grew. The Duke had already played his hand.

"Me," Kael said simply.

The room fell silent once more.

Alvar's expression darkened. "You?"

"Yes," Kael continued, his tone effortlessly confident. "Until now, I have remained a rising force, but not yet one that demands immediate elimination. That changes today." He turned toward Selene. "Your Majesty, if you were to grant me a position of greater influence—one that disrupts the existing power balance—our enemy will have no choice but to react."

Selene's expression remained unreadable. "And what position do you propose?"

Kael let the question linger before delivering his answer.

"Supreme Commander of the Imperial Forces."

Gasps filled the chamber. Even Selene's composure nearly slipped for a moment before she regained control.

"You are bold," she murmured.

Kael inclined his head slightly. "Only when necessary."

Duke Alvar shot to his feet. "This is absurd! The Supreme Commander holds authority over the entire military! You expect us to simply hand it over to an upstart?"

Kael turned to him fully now, his dark gaze pinning the Duke in place. "You misunderstand, Duke Alvar. I do not 'expect' anything. I am merely stating what must be done if we are to control this situation."

Alvar's jaw tightened, but before he could argue further, another voice cut through the tension.

"Why are you so concerned, Duke?"

All eyes turned to the source—Empress Selene.

Alvar stiffened. "I merely question the wisdom of granting such power to an untested noble."

Kael chuckled softly. "Untested? You were singing a different tune when I crushed the rebellion in the western provinces, were you not?"

A flicker of something crossed Alvar's face—a brief moment of calculation. Kael saw it. He had hit a nerve.

Selene's gaze lingered on Alvar for a moment longer before she leaned back in her throne. "You make a compelling argument, Lord Kael."

Alvar looked at her sharply. "You cannot be considering this!"

Selene ignored him. "However," she continued, "such a position cannot be granted lightly. If you wish to be named Supreme Commander, you must prove your worth in a manner that leaves no room for doubt."

Kael met her gaze. "And what would you have me do?"

Selene smiled faintly. "The border conflict in the Frostveil Highlands grows worse by the day. The rebels there have proven resistant to every attempt at suppression. If you can resolve the situation within a month, I will grant you the position."

Kael nodded once. "Consider it done."

Selene studied him for a moment longer, then turned to the assembled nobles. "Are there any objections?"

Alvar's face was thunderous, but he said nothing. None of the other nobles dared to challenge the decision.

Selene turned back to Kael. "Then it is settled. You leave for the Frostveil Highlands at dawn."

Kael smirked. The first piece had been placed.

As the nobles slowly began to disperse, Kael turned, catching Selene's gaze once more. There was something in her eyes—interest, calculation… and perhaps the smallest trace of amusement.

She leaned in slightly, her voice low. "You enjoy this game far too much."

Kael's smirk deepened. "And you enjoy watching me play it."

Selene chuckled softly. "Perhaps."

As Kael strode out of the chamber, he knew one thing for certain—the traitor had already been forced into action.

And soon, they would reveal themselves.

To be continued.....