Chapter 112 Caius and dera

Chapter 112 Caius and dera
Caius did not look back as he walked out of the throne room. The heavy doors slammed shut behind him, cutting off the voices that had begun to rise inside the hall. His steps echoed through the empty corridor, steady and measured, giving nothing away to the guards following several paces behind. Only the tightness in his jaw betrayed the storm he kept buried beneath his calm.

The moment they reached the private council wing, he stopped without warning. The guards froze, waiting for instructions, but none came. Caius slowly turned his head toward them, his expression unreadable. "Leave us," he said, his voice quiet enough to make the order even more unsettling.

The guards bowed at once and disappeared down the corridor. Only after the last pair of footsteps faded into silence did Caius move again. He walked into his private chamber and stood before the tall window overlooking the capital. The city stretched peacefully beneath the afternoon sun, unaware that everything had changed within the palace walls.

His reflection stared back at him through the glass. For years, he had believed the throne was already his. Every sacrifice, every lie, and every life taken had led to this moment, only for the kingdom to witness the impossible with their own eyes.

His hand slammed against the stone window frame. A crack spread beneath his palm, but the sharp pain barely reached him. All he could see was Viktor standing before the throne while nobles bent their knees one after another. The memory burned hotter than any wound.

"They should have killed you when they had the chance," he muttered.

A knock came at the door.

Caius closed his eyes for a brief moment. By the time he spoke again, the anger had disappeared from his face as though it had never existed. "Enter."

The door opened, and Lord Varick stepped inside. He hesitated before closing it behind him, studying Caius carefully. "The council is divided," he reported. "Some have already locked themselves inside their estates. Others are quietly reaching out to the nobles who knelt before the throne."

Caius gave a faint nod. None of it surprised him.

"They're afraid," Varick continued. "They don't know whether to follow the crown or the throne."

"They'll follow whoever survives," Caius replied. "People speak of honor until they have something to lose. Then they choose the side that keeps them alive."

Varick remained silent for a moment. "What are your orders?"

Caius turned away from the window. A slow smile spread across his face, though it never reached his eyes. "If they want to believe Viktor is the kingdom's future, then we won't fight their faith." He paused before adding, "We'll destroy the man they believe in."

Varick frowned. "How?"

"Not every battle is won with a sword." Caius walked toward the table at the center of the room, where a map of the kingdom lay open. His fingers rested on it for a moment before he looked back at Varick. "Send for Dera."

Varick's brows lifted. "Dera?"

"Immediately."

Varick gave a short bow and left without another question. The chamber fell silent again, but this time Caius welcomed it. He already knew what he needed from her, and he knew exactly which strings to pull.

It took only a few minutes before another knock sounded at the door.

"Come in."

Dera stepped inside, her posture straight despite the uncertainty in her eyes. She looked from Caius to the map on the table before lowering her head. "You sent for me, Your Highness?"

"I did."

She waited for him to continue, but he simply watched her. The silence stretched until it became uncomfortable, making her wonder whether she had done something wrong. She resisted the urge to look away.

Finally, Caius spoke.

"You've served this palace faithfully for years," he said. "You've followed every order without complaint, even when others questioned my decisions. Loyalty like yours deserves more than empty praise."

Dera blinked, caught off guard. Compliments were the last thing she had expected from him. "I only did my duty."

"No." Caius shook his head. "You did far more than that."

He walked slowly around the table until only a few steps separated them. "Tell me, Dera. Have you never wondered why others with less talent stand above you? Why weaker people are rewarded while you're expected to remain in the shadows even if your father is a high ranking noble?"

Her fingers curled at her sides.

She had wondered. More times than she cared to admit. Yet hearing someone else speak those thoughts aloud made her chest tighten.

Caius noticed the flicker in her eyes and smiled.

"I can change that," he said. "Stand with me, help me crush Viktor before he tears this kingdom apart, and I will give you everything they denied you." He held her gaze without blinking. "Power. Status. A place where no one will ever dare look down on you. You will have great powers to rule over anyone and that includes viktor too. I can even give you a share of this kingdom."

Dera's heart pounded against her ribs.

She searched his face for any sign that he was mocking her, but found none. That frightened her more than if he had laughed.

"And if I refuse?" she asked quietly.

Caius's smile faded.

"Then when Viktor falls," he said, "you'll fall with him.”