Chapter 144: Eyes Upon Blackwood
The meeting did not end after the emperor’s decree.
If anything...
The atmosphere inside the Hall of Dragons became heavier.
Every noble understood what had just happened.
An Imperial Development Territory.
It had been generations since such a title had been granted.
Some ministers immediately began whispering among themselves.
Others simply watched Kael.
Not with admiration.
With curiosity.
The Emperor rose from the Imperial Throne.
"The Council is adjourned."
Everyone stood.
The sound of chairs sliding across polished marble echoed throughout the hall.
One by one, nobles began leaving in small groups.
Some immediately approached Chancellor Roland Vester.
Others surrounded General Hector Valen to discuss the frontier.
Kael waited.
There was no reason to rush.
Patience often revealed more than action.
As he stepped into one of the palace corridors, familiar footsteps approached.
"You’ve made quite an impression."
Kael turned.
Lucien Aurelius Asterion walked beside him, carrying several documents under one arm.
"You make it sound like that’s a bad thing."
Lucien gave a quiet laugh.
"In the Imperial Court?"
He looked ahead.
"It usually is."
The brothers continued walking in silence.
Servants passed by carrying scrolls.
Imperial Guards saluted as members of the Imperial Family walked through the halls.
Finally, Lucien spoke again.
"Do you understand what Father truly gave you?"
Kael answered honestly.
"Freedom."
Lucien smiled.
"Partly."
He stopped beside an open balcony overlooking the palace gardens.
"He also gave you responsibility."
Kael nodded.
"I expected that."
"No."
Lucien looked directly at him.
"He gave you visibility."
Kael remained silent.
"Until today, Blackwood was beneath everyone’s notice."
Lucien rested both hands on the marble railing.
"Now every ambitious noble in the Empire knows exactly where to look."
Elsewhere inside the palace...
Duke Alistair Thornfield entered a private chamber.
Several nobles were already waiting.
The heavy oak doors closed behind him.
A younger count looked up.
"Well?"
The Duke poured himself a cup of wine before answering.
"The Emperor has chosen his newest experiment."
The room fell quiet.
One baron frowned.
"Do you believe the Tenth Prince can succeed?"
Duke Thornfield sat slowly.
"I don’t know."
He looked into his cup.
"But if he does..."
He didn’t finish the sentence.
He didn’t need to.
Everyone present understood.
A successful Blackwood would prove that many long-standing noble traditions could be challenged.
And some men had built their entire fortunes upon those traditions.
Meanwhile...
Princess Elena Aurelius Asterion walked through the palace library.
She stopped beside a large window.
Someone approached from behind.
"It has been a while."
Elena turned.
Princess Seraphine Aurelius Asterion smiled gently.
"It has."
The sisters stood together in comfortable silence.
Finally, Seraphine spoke.
"What do you think of Kael?"
Elena considered the question.
"He listens."
Seraphine nodded.
"Few rulers do."
Elena looked toward the city below.
"He doesn’t try to solve every problem himself."
"He asks questions."
She smiled faintly.
"That makes people feel valued."
Seraphine folded her hands.
"The Empire could use more rulers like that."
Elena glanced toward her sister.
"Perhaps."
Then she added quietly,
"But it also makes him dangerous."
Seraphine raised an eyebrow.
"Dangerous?"
"To people who benefit from things never changing."
Later that afternoon...
Kael prepared to leave the palace.
Ronan was already waiting with the horses.
"The road back?"
Kael nodded.
"We’ve been away long enough."
As they reached the outer gate, someone called his name.
"Kael."
He turned.
Cassian Aurelius Asterion approached alone.
The First Prince’s expression was as calm as ever.
Kael bowed.
"Brother."
Cassian stopped a few steps away.
"I heard your answer in the Council."
Kael waited.
"You spoke well."
There was no exaggeration.
No unnecessary praise.
Coming from Cassian...
Those three words carried considerable weight.
"Thank you."
Cassian looked toward the city.
"When I was given command of my first army..."
He spoke without looking at Kael.
"...I believed strength alone would earn loyalty."
He finally turned.
"I was wrong."
Kael listened carefully.
"A commander can order soldiers into battle."
Cassian’s voice remained calm.
"But a ruler must inspire people to walk beside him willingly."
Kael recognized the lesson immediately.
"You learned that the hard way?"
Cassian gave the faintest smile.
"I did."
He stepped closer.
"Protect Blackwood."
Kael nodded.
"I intend to."
Cassian’s expression became serious once more.
"Because the moment your territory becomes valuable..."
"...someone will attempt to take it."
Without another word...
The First Prince walked away.
Kael watched him disappear into the palace.
Ronan mounted his horse beside him.
"What was that about?"
Kael smiled slightly.
"Advice."
"From the Crown Blade?"
"Yes."
Ronan whistled.
"Then I’d remember every word."
The journey back to Blackwood was peaceful.
Yet Kael’s thoughts never rested.
The Emperor’s warning.
Lucien’s advice.
Cassian’s lesson.
Each had spoken differently.
Yet all three had pointed toward the same truth.
Blackwood was no longer invisible.
As the sun began to set on the second day of travel, Kael and his escort reached the border of his territory.
Something immediately caught his attention.
The northern road was busier than before.
More wagons.
More travelers.
More workers.
Even a pair of merchants he had never seen before were waiting near the entrance to the estate.
Kael slowed his horse.
Lily stood near the gate, speaking with them.
When she noticed Kael, relief spread across her face.
"My lord!"
She hurried toward him.
"You returned sooner than expected."
Kael dismounted.
"What happened?"
Lily smiled.
"You’re going to want to see this."
She led him through the gates.
Kael stopped.
The open field north of the manor looked completely different.
The first row of houses had already been framed.
Workers climbed across wooden scaffolding.
Stone masons laid foundations.
Carpenters shaped beams.
Children played in the open spaces while their parents worked nearby.
A temporary marketplace had appeared almost overnight.
Farmers traded vegetables.
Hunters sold fresh game.
A potter displayed neatly crafted bowls and jars.
Nearby, Orrin Belmore was negotiating with another merchant while laughing loudly.
The place buzzed with life.
Kael slowly turned in a circle.
Only a short time ago...
This had been an empty field.
Now...
It was becoming the heart of a growing community.
Edwin stepped beside him.
"Welcome home, my lord."
Kael smiled.
"It seems Blackwood didn’t wait for me."
Edwin chuckled.
"No."
He looked over the bustling settlement.
"It simply needed someone to believe it could become more."
Kael watched the people working together.
Then his eyes drifted farther north.
Beyond the growing settlement...
Beyond the repaired roads...
The forests of Blackwood stretched toward the horizon.
Untamed.
Unexplored.
Full of opportunity.
And perhaps...
Full of danger.