Chapter 74: The Ledger

Chapter 74: The Ledger

Lord Valerius of the Oakhaven House stepped through the shattered doors, swishing over the broken glass and spilled wine.

To any ordinary lord, this room was a scene of absolute horror. To Valerius, it smelled exactly like an unprecedented business opportunity.

His chilly, calculating eyes immediately scanned the ruined ballroom.

On the far end, the massive black dragon rested its heavy chin on the terrace and seemed to be fixed on his eldest daughter only.

Then his gaze looked around at the royal dais, where Lyra sat trembling.

Finally, he looked at Neria, who was currently held firmly against the chest of the Crown Prince.

Sebastian’s hand was still wrapped around her waist, a clear, possessive statement of ownership that no noble in the room could possibly miss.

‘A Saintess in white, and a shadow queen in midnight velvet,’ Valerius thought, a dark, wicked smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. ‘The heavens truly smile upon the house of Oakhaven tonight.’

"Lord Valerius," a trembling voice called out from the edge of the crowd. It was Duke Brandon, his face pale as he clutched a bloody handkerchief to his arm. "Your daughters... they are at the center of this madness. The black beast bows to the eldest, and the youngest holds the light of the stars. What is the meaning of this?"

"The meaning, my dear Duke, is that my bloodline is simply more blessed than yours," Valerius replied smoothly, changing his tone with an insufferable, oily pride.

He patted the golden embroidery on his collar, adjusting his posture as he walked past a row of cowering rebels. "Move aside, please. I must speak with my future son-in-law."

Valerius marched toward the royal dais.

He didn’t look like a father who had just feared for his children's lives, but like a merchant who had just realised his inventory was worth ten times its weight in gold.

"Your Highness," Valerius spoke loudly, bowing with perfect, theatrical grace before Sebastian. "The gods have truly tested our resilience tonight, yet the crown stands taller than ever. I see my daughters have done their duty in preserving the peace of the realm."

Neria turned her head slightly, her eyes narrowed to dangerous slits as she looked at her father.

"Our duty, Father? Is that what you call this? Lyra was almost turned into a roasted pheasant, and I am currently negotiating my permanent survival."

"Hush, Neria," Valerius said in such a familiar, cruel hiss he used behind closed doors.

The duke gave her a strict, warning look. "A proper lady does not complain when she is standing in the embrace of the future king. You should be thanking me for your upbringing."

"Your upbringing involved locking me in a cellar for three days because I ruined a shipment of lace, Valerius," Neria replied loud enough for Sebastian to hear.

Sebastian let out a low, amused rumble against her ear, his fingers tightening on her waist. "Is that so, Lord Valerius? I was unaware you treated my partner with such... rigorous discipline."

Valerius froze for a split second, his oily smile faded before snapping back into place.

"A father must ensure his daughters are prepared for the harsh realities of the court, Your Highness. And as you can see, the results speak for themselves. Lyra is the chosen Saintess of the realm, and Neria has apparently tamed both a primordial hatchling and an elder drake."

"She didn't just tame them, Valerius," Sebastian murmured in such a predatory light as he looked down at the older lord. "She brought them to my feet. Which means the power of your house is currently tied entirely to my goodwill."

"Of course, Your Highness," Valerius said, bowing again, though his mind was already calculating the tax exemptions he could demand in exchange for the dragon's loyalty.

"The Oakhaven House is entirely at the disposal of the throne. With Lyra providing the spiritual backing of the church, and Neria securing your military dominance, your reign will be unquestioned. Naturally, the cost of maintaining such a powerful alliance will require certain... adjustments to our family's trade monopolies in the western territories."

"You are disgusting," Lyra whimpered from behind the throne, sounding broken as she looked at her father. "I am covered in soot, the palace was attacked, and you are bargaining for trade routes?"

"Be silent, Lyra, and fix your hair," Valerius snapped, not even looking at his younger daughter. "You are the Saintess now. Start acting like a figurehead instead of a crying child. Your tears are ruining the aesthetic of the crown."

Neria let out a sharp, mocking laugh. "You really are an awful man, Father. I almost admire the sheer consistency of your malice."

"I am a realist, Neria," Valerius stepped closer to them, having that evil, unchecked ambition.

He looked at the way Sebastian’s hand was resting on her hip, noting the tight, protective stance of the prince.

"You were always the difficult one. The one I thought would end up in a ditch. But look at you now. You have played your cards beautifully. I will expect a full report of your arrangement with the prince tomorrow morning at the estate."

"The lady is not returning to your estate, Lord Valerius," Sebastian interrupted in that terrifyingly quiet register that instantly cut through Valerius’s arrogance.

Valerius blinked, his chest tightened harder. "Excuse me, Your Highness?"

"She stays with me," Sebastian whispered, his thumb traced a slow circle against Neria's velvet bodice.

"From this moment on, Neria belongs to the royal household. If you wish to discuss trade routes, you will do so through my ledger, not through her. If I find out you have so much as sent her an annoying letter, I will personally ensure your shipping lanes become the property of the crown by sunset."

Valerius felt a cold drop of sweat slide down his neck.

The duke looked at Sebastian, then at Neria’s triumphant, wicked smile and realised then that while his wealth had doubled tonight, he had completely lost his leverage over his eldest daughter.

She was no longer some mouse in his house; she was a queen in a far more dangerous game.

"As the crown wills," Valerius whispered, bowing low to hide the furious tremble in his jaw.