A Thorn In My Side

The day after Alistair's sentencing felt like the calm before a storm. The royal court buzzed with rumors and whispers, the death of the once-praised hero looming over the kingdom like a shadow. But for me, this was only the beginning. With Alistair removed, the path to greater influence was wide open, and it was time to start taking control of the pieces I had carefully maneuvered.

Seraphina and I had solidified our alliance, and the kingdom now rested in a delicate balance of power, one that I intended to tip fully in our favor. But before any further moves could be made, there was another matter to deal with—Evelyn.

Her absence from the royal tournament had gone largely unnoticed, thanks to the chaos of Alistair's downfall. But the rumors of her disappearance had begun to circulate once more, and it wouldn't be long before someone connected the dots. I had to act swiftly to ensure she stayed firmly in my grasp.

As I entered the grand hall of the Arcadia, where the remnants of the tournament were being cleared away, I spotted Evelyn sitting alone near the gardens, her usual lively spirit now weighed down by the recent events. She looked lost in thought, her hands resting on her lap, fingers tracing the hem of her dress. He was not here. He was supposed to be here in the original narrative beside her and him.

I approached quietly, letting the soft crunch of gravel under my boots announce my presence.

"Lady Evelyn," I greeted, my voice calm yet authoritative. She looked up, startled for a moment, before offering a weak smile.

"Lord Cedric," she replied, her voice carrying the weariness of someone who had been through too much in too little time. "I didn't expect to see you here."

I sat beside her, keeping a comfortable distance. "I wanted to check on you. The past few days have been... difficult for all of us."

Evelyn sighed, glancing down at her hands. "I still can't believe it—Alistair, my childhood friend... sentenced to death. And for what? I can't shake the feeling that there's more to this than what we know."

Her suspicion was dangerous, but it was understandable. I had to steer this conversation carefully.

"There's always more to these stories than we're told," I said, watching her reaction. "But sometimes, what we don't know is what protects us."

She looked at me, her brows furrowed in confusion. "What do you mean?"

I leaned forward slightly, lowering my voice. "There are forces at play in this kingdom far greater than we can imagine, Lady Evelyn. Alistair... he wasn't the man you thought he was."

She flinched, clearly struggling with the idea. "But... he wouldn't have kidnapped me. He was reckless, yes, but not cruel. I know him."

I held her gaze, letting the silence between us stretch. Then, I spoke softly but firmly. "You may have known him once, but people change. Power changes them. Alistair was desperate, Evelyn. Desperate enough to do things none of us would have believed."

Her eyes searched mine, the doubt still lingering, but there was a flicker of hesitation. She wanted to believe me. And that was all I needed.

"You don't have to take my word for it," I continued. "But think about it. Who had the most to gain by ensuring you disappeared? Who stood to benefit from you being out of the way? Alistair may have seemed like your friend, but in the end, his ambition overtook him."

Evelyn looked away, her mind working through my words. I could see the cracks forming in her resolve. The seed of doubt had been planted.

"But why?" she whispered, almost to herself. "Why would he do that?"

I sighed, leaning back slightly. "Because you were his greatest weakness. You were his conscience, his light. Without you, he had nothing holding him back. In his desperation to become the hero everyone expected him to be, he thought removing you would free him."

Evelyn's hands trembled slightly as she clasped them together. "I... I don't know what to believe anymore."

"That's understandable," I said gently. "But I'm not here to sway you. I'm only here to offer the truth as I see it. You deserve to know that Alistair's fall wasn't just an unfortunate mistake. It was the result of choices he made—choices that endangered you and others."

She remained silent for a long moment, her face etched with uncertainty and pain. I could see her inner struggle, but it was clear that she was beginning to accept the narrative I had woven.

Eventually, she looked up at me with eyes that held a mix of sadness and resolve. "Thank you, Lord Cedric. For telling me the truth, even if it hurts."

I gave her a reassuring nod, knowing that I had succeeded in my task. "It's never easy to face betrayal, but you're stronger than you know, Lady Evelyn."

As I stood to leave, she reached out, lightly touching my sleeve. "Cedric... what will happen now?"

I paused, glancing back at her. "Now? We rebuild. And we ensure that those who would harm the kingdom are held accountable."

With that, I left her in the gardens, her thoughts tangled in the web I had spun around her.

The next phase of our plan was already in motion. Seraphina and I had claimed victory in the court, but now, we had the kingdom itself to control. Evelyn's trust in me would only solidify my position, and with her influence slowly shifting away from the memory of Alistair, she would soon be another weapon at my disposal.

The future was unfolding exactly as I had envisioned. Now, all that remained was to guide it to its inevitable conclusion.

As I walked back through the academy halls, the pieces of the next move began to take shape. Alistair's death had created a power vacuum, and I intended to fill it.

But first, I had one more loose end to tie up.

The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the Arcadia and it's Royal Coury as I returned to my royal quarters that is given to me now as a recognised member of the Royal Court. The air was thick with the tension that still gripped the Arcadia in the wake of Alistair's execution. Whispers of betrayal, doubt, and confusion swirled around like the early autumn winds. But in the midst of it all, one obstacle stood in my path—**Reinhardt**.

Alistair's closest friend, Reinhardt was more than just an obstacle; he was a threat. Unlike most of the others at the academy, Reinhardt was not easily swayed by rumors or emotions. He had always been suspicious of me, though he never had enough proof to act on it. His sharp instincts and unwavering loyalty to Alistair made him a dangerous adversary—one who wouldn't be content with the explanation given in court. He should have now started to be beside Evelyn as a live interest. This was the day where it was supposed to start the love triangle between Evelyn, Alistair and Reinhardt. It was short. The second time he appeared and almost won Evelyn's heart but gave up in the end for his friend the only friend he had. And Then he showed third and final time In the end just for a scene of congratulating both Evelyn and Alistair. Now he is not with Evelyn. He was supposed to be there.

If I was to truly solidify my position and ensure that Seraphina and I could rise uncontested, Reinhardt needed to be dealt with. But unlike Alistair, brute force or manipulation wouldn't be enough to bring him down. No, Reinhardt was a different kind of opponent—one I would need to handle carefully.

I was lost in thought, considering my next move, when a knock at my door interrupted my musings. I know exactly who it is. The final words Alistair said was not for me but him.

"Enter," I called, my voice steady despite the unease swirling in my mind.

The door opened, and standing in the threshold was none other than Reinhardt himself. His broad shoulders filled the doorway, and his piercing blue eyes locked onto mine with an intensity that was impossible to ignore. Dressed in his royal uniform, his hand rested casually on the hilt of his sword—a reminder of the power he carried both physically and politically. Now we both work side by side for a while and when we are here for the same time then we are at each other's side.

"Lord Cedric," he said, his voice as cold as the autumn air outside. "We need to talk."

I gestured for him to come in, maintaining an air of calm. "Of course, Reinhardt. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

He stepped inside, but didn't bother sitting down. Instead, he stood near the window, his gaze shifting briefly to the horizon before fixing back on me. "I've been doing some thinking," he said, his tone measured. "Alistair's fall—it doesn't sit right with me."

Here it was—the inevitable confrontation. I had expected it sooner or later. Reinhardt wasn't one to let things lie, especially when they involved his closest friend.

"Many things about Alistair's fall don't sit right with anyone," I replied smoothly, leaning back in my chair. "But the court made its decision, and the evidence was clear."

Reinhardt's eyes narrowed slightly. "Clear, perhaps, but convenient. Speaking of conveninet, You've risen to prominence awfully quickly and conveniently, Cedric. And you just happened to have the ear of both the court and the key witnesses. Tell me—how exactly did you manage that?"

I smiled slightly, the challenge in his words not unexpected. "Hard work, Reinhardt. I've been playing my part in this academy and this kingdom, just like everyone else. If I've managed to gain influence, it's because I've earned it."

He crossed his arms, clearly unimpressed. "Don't play coy with me. I know there's more going on here than meets the eye. Alistair would never have—"

I cut him off, standing and walking slowly toward him. "Would never have what? Betrayed the kingdom? Kidnapped Evelyn? You were close to him, and yet you were the one who brought him up to the court. Desperation makes even the noblest hearts falter."

Reinhardt's jaw tightened, his hands balling into fists at his sides. "Alistair wasn't desperate. He had everything going for him. He was the hero of this kingdom. And you were the one who brought his crimes to me"

"And yet," I continued, my voice calm and steady, "you made your choice just as he made his choices that led to his downfall. Choices that endangered not just Evelyn, but the stability of the entire kingdom. You can't deny the facts, Reinhardt. Even Evelyn testified against him."

That was the blow I knew would hit hardest. Reinhardt had been loyal to Alistair, but Evelyn had always been a voice of reason for him. Hearing that she had supported the accusations in court would force him to reconsider.

His expression wavered for a moment, but he quickly masked it with anger. "You manipulated her. I don't know how, but you did. She would never have turned against Alistair like that unless someone was pulling the strings."

I allowed a small chuckle to escape, amused by his persistence. "Do you really believe that, Reinhardt? That I somehow convinced Evelyn, the most kind-hearted and pure among us, to lie about what happened? No, she saw the truth, just like the rest of us."

Reinhardt glared at me, but I could see the seeds of doubt beginning to take root in his mind. He wanted to believe that Alistair was innocent, but the weight of the evidence—along with Evelyn's testimony—was too much for even him to ignore.

"If you can convince me then you can convince her as well. You're a dangerous man, Cedric," he said, his voice low. "I don't know what game you're playing, but I won't let you get away with it."

I walked closer, stopping just in front of him, meeting his gaze head-on. "I don't understand what you are talking about Reinhardt. Alistair was my frined and so are you. And so is everyone else in this kingdom who seeks power. The difference is, I have accepted the truth just like Evelyn did and just like everyone else did. You're still trying to fight a battle that's already been lost."

His fists clenched again, but he didn't make a move. He was smart enough to know that violence here would only make things worse for him.

"You can keep chasing ghosts, Reinhardt," I said softly. "Or you can accept the truth and move forward. The choice is yours."

For a long moment, he said nothing, his eyes burning with fury and frustration. But eventually, he turned away, heading toward the door without another word.

As he left, I knew this wasn't over. Reinhardt wasn't the type to give up easily. But for now, I had bought myself time. Time to solidify my hold over the kingdom, to ensure that Seraphina and I would remain untouchable.

Reinhardt would return, of that I had no doubt. But when he did, I would be ready.

And by then, it would be too late for him to stop me.