The First Puppet (II)

Chapter 14: The First Puppet (II)

Step One: The First Trap – A Promise of Power

A Noble's Fall is Never Sudden—It is Engineered

Noctis did not believe in brute force when it came to dismantling power.

True destruction was not a single, decisive strike.

It was a slow, deliberate unraveling.

A web of false victories, carefully placed doubts, and subtle betrayals.

By the time the victim realized what had happened, they would already be ensnared, trapped in a game they never even knew they were playing.

And Cedric Vaelmont?

He was already caught.

He just didn't know it yet.

Power was not just wealth or status—it was the illusion of control.

And Cedric Vaelmont had spent years maintaining that illusion.

He threw lavish parties to prove he was still influential.

He gambled recklessly to show that he was untouchable.

He silenced debtors to keep his financial ruin a secret.

He crushed small rivals to maintain an image of dominance.

But illusions only lasted as long as no one looked too closely.

And Noctis?

He was looking.

Studying.

Waiting.

The first push would not come as an attack.

It would come as a gift.

Something Cedric could not refuse.

Something that would make him lean just a little too far over the edge…

So that when Noctis finally let go, Cedric would plunge into the abyss himself.

Noctis did not act recklessly.

Every move had to be calculated, precise, invisible.

Before striking, he needed one final confirmation—one last piece of evidence that Cedric was ready to fall.

He sent a trusted informant into Cedric's gambling dens to watch his spending.

He bribed a servant from House Vaelmont to report on Cedric's private meetings.

He arranged for a merchant ally to test the waters, seeing how desperate Cedric was for funding.

And what did he learn?

Cedric was far more desperate than even Noctis had anticipated.

His gambling losses were twice what was publicly known.

His allies were already whispering of his decline.

His enemies were circling, waiting for a moment of weakness.

Noctis smiled.

This was not a house that needed to be toppled.

This was a house already on fire.

All Noctis had to do…

Was make sure Cedric never found the exit.

Noctis's first move was simple.

He would not expose Cedric's weaknesses immediately.

He would feed his pride.

Make him feel stronger than ever.

Give him a reason to be reckless.

A forged letter from a powerful noble, pretending to offer Cedric a lucrative deal.

A planted rumor that Holstein was struggling with his own debts.

A staged 'mistake' by a rival merchant, making Cedric believe he had an advantage.

The result?

Cedric took the bait.

Believing his fortunes were turning, he borrowed more money.

Believing his enemy was weak, he acted more aggressively.

Believing he was in control, he walked straight into Noctis's trap.

And when he finally fell…

Noctis would be there, waiting, with a hand extended.

Not to save him.

But to tighten the leash.

~~~~~

The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and night-blooming flowers, but beneath the serene fragrance, the tension between the two men was undeniable.

The marble statues cast long shadows beneath the soft glow of lanterns, their stillness a stark contrast to the volatile undercurrents in Cedric's gaze.

Noctis stood composed, his presence an extension of the night itself—unshaken, unknowable, yet undeniably there.

He studied Cedric's posture, the way the noble's fingers twitched as he flexed them at his sides.

A man fighting to maintain his confidence.

Good.

A man who struggled to convince himself he was still in control would be much easier to convince otherwise.

Cedric's voice was edged with impatience as he finally broke the silence.

"You called for me."

Noctis did not move immediately. He let the words settle, let Cedric's unease deepen.

Then, with deliberate slowness, he turned his gaze to the noble.

"I did."

There was no urgency in his tone, no concern. He let Cedric feel the weight of the moment, let the silence stretch until the viscount shifted, the tension in his stance betraying him.

Cedric was nervous. And nervous men made mistakes.

"You are not a fool, Lord Vaelmont," Noctis began, his voice smooth, measured.

"You know you're being cornered."

Cedric stiffened, his hands curling into fists. "I don't know what you—"

Noctis cut him off, his voice silk-wrapped steel.

"Your debts are whispers in every noble estate.

Your allies grow scarce. Even Holstein sees you as nothing more than a reckless, failed rival."

Cedric's jaw clenched, a flicker of something dangerous in his eyes—anger, resentment.

Noctis almost smiled.

Anger was useful.

Fear made men run. But anger? Anger made them act.

And that was what Noctis needed.

A pawn that believed it was still a player.

"But I can offer you something Holstein cannot," Noctis continued, stepping forward slightly.

Cedric scoffed. "And what is that?"

Noctis let his smile show—a small, knowing curve of his lips, just enough to stoke the flames of curiosity.

"Leverage."

The single word hung between them like a suspended blade, its sharp edge unseen but felt nonetheless.

Cedric didn't answer immediately. His fingers twitched again, a telltale sign of a mind racing, weighing possibilities.

He wants to believe me.

That was the first step.

Noctis studied him as he spoke again.

"Holstein has always been untouchable because he plays by the rules." He paused, letting Cedric absorb the truth before lowering his voice, coaxing.

"What if I told you… that you don't have to?"

A glint of hesitation flickered in Cedric's eyes.

"You want me to cheat?"

Noctis chuckled softly, shaking his head.

"Not at all. I simply want you to play the game properly. Holstein believes you are reckless, that you have no sense of patience or strategy."

Cedric sneered, his pride pricked.

"And what, you do?"

Noctis allowed his expression to remain calm, unwavering.

"I know what he values most. His reputation. His alliances. His clean hands."

Cedric exhaled sharply, rubbing a hand over his face. His reluctance was still there, but the curiosity was stronger now.

He was considering it.

And consideration was the first step toward agreement.

Noctis leaned in slightly, his voice dropping just enough to make Cedric listen closely.

"I can help you strike at Holstein in a way he won't expect. A way that will force him onto the defensive."

Cedric's lips parted slightly, doubt still lingering. "And why would you help me?"

Noctis tilted his head slightly, amusement flickering in his expression. "Because your enemies and mine… align."

A partial truth.

The best kind of lie.

Cedric studied him, weighing his words, the options before him. Noctis could see the gears turning behind his eyes—the desperation, the hunger, the pride warring with caution.

Finally, he exhaled, his shoulders loosening just a fraction. "Fine. I'm listening."

Noctis smiled.

That's all I need.

Now that Cedric was listening, it was time to give him something to bite onto.

But not everything.

A man like Cedric, if given too much information too soon, would try to take control of the situation.

Noctis needed him to believe he was in control while tightening the chains around him.

So, instead of handing Cedric a full plan, he gave him just enough of an idea.

"Holstein's biggest asset is his credibility,"

Noctis said, watching Cedric's reaction.

"A merchant lord must be trusted, or his network collapses."

Cedric's expression soured. "Everyone trusts him."

Noctis allowed a hint of amusement into his tone.

"No one is without their sins, Viscount. You simply have not been looking in the right places."

Cedric's brows furrowed, but the intrigue was there. He wanted to know more, but he also wanted to believe that he could have found this on his own.

Good.

That meant Noctis didn't have to force the next step—Cedric would walk into it himself.

"The question you should be asking is not 'what has Holstein done?' but rather…"

Noctis let his gaze sharpen, watching Cedric carefully.

"…who have I convinced that he has done something?"

A flicker of realization passed through Cedric's expression.

Noctis smiled.

Yes. That's it.

Cedric was beginning to understand.

This was not a matter of waiting for Holstein to make a mistake.

It was about creating the illusion of one.

Cedric exhaled slowly, his suspicion lingering.

"And what exactly do you have in mind?"

Noctis's gaze was steady.

"Something simple. A rumor. A single doubt placed in the right ear."

Cedric frowned.

"That's it?"

Noctis chuckled. "That is the first move. And if done properly, Holstein himself will do the rest of the work for us."

He let Cedric sit with that thought.

People in power did not need proof to believe a lie.

They only needed a reason to doubt.

And if Cedric played his part correctly, Holstein's allies would begin to question his dealings without a single real accusation being made.

Cedric still looked uncertain, but now?

Now, he wanted to believe Noctis.

Because believing Noctis meant believing that he could win.

And men like Cedric… could never resist the promise of victory.

By the time Cedric left that night, he believed it had been his choice to align with Noctis.

He believed he was the one benefiting from the arrangement.

Noctis knew better.

As Cedric walked away, he was already walking the path Noctis had laid for him.

A path that led only one way.

Down.