Chapter 26: The Lion Bares His Fangs

Leon walked through the cold, moonlit streets, his mind sharper than his blade. The revelation that his own brother had put a price on his head didn't shock him—it enraged him.

His father's silence? That only confirmed what he had always known. To them, he was nothing.

Fine.

If they wanted him dead, he would give them a reason to fear his survival.

A Silent Return

By the time Leon reached his estate, dawn was beginning to paint the sky in hues of crimson. The servants were already stirring, lighting torches and sweeping the walkways.

He moved through the halls with purpose, ignoring the confused stares from the guards. He had a war to prepare for.

The first step? Building his power.

The Loyal Few

Inside his private training hall, three figures waited.

Ronan, the young knight who had been shadowing Leon since his return. Mira, his sharp-tongued maid, who had been secretly managing his affairs. Gareth, a former soldier now acting as his personal bodyguard.

Leon crossed his arms. "We're going to war."

Mira raised an eyebrow. "Already? You barely got back to noble society."

Leon smirked. "Turns out my dear brother couldn't wait to kill me."

Ronan sighed. "So it was him."

Leon nodded. "And my father knew."

Silence.

Gareth grunted. "What's the plan?"

Leon stepped forward. "We're taking the fight to them. But first, we need leverage."

Mira tapped her chin. "You mean dirt on your family?"

"Exactly," Leon said. "And I know just the place to get it."

The Noble Archives

Deep beneath the city, hidden from the public eye, lay The Noble Archives—a vault of records detailing noble alliances, betrayals, debts, and secrets.

Only the highest-ranking families had access.

Luckily, Leon had something they didn't—a key left behind by his late mother.

He stood before the heavy iron doors, slipping the key into the lock. With a quiet click, the entrance creaked open.

He stepped inside, heart pounding.

It was time to unearth the filth buried beneath his family's name.

The Crimson Fang's Secret

Leon sifted through stacks of parchment, his eyes scanning documents filled with names, dates, and transactions.

And then—he found it.

A letter, sealed with his family crest.

As he unfolded it, his eyes widened.

His brother had been secretly dealing with enemy factions.

Bribing officials.

Even smuggling illegal weapons.

Leon smirked.

This was it.

The leverage he needed.

A Message to the Crimson Fang

By nightfall, Leon sent a single letter to his brother.

It contained copies of the incriminating documents.

And a short message:

"You wanted me dead. Now, I hold your fate in my hands."

"Let's see how long you last, dear brother."