Threads

Night crept through the corridors, lit only by torches fixed to the walls. In the princess's private grand hall, silence was broken only by the soft brushing of her robes against the marble floor.

Ethan entered without hesitation. There was no request, no announcement; he simply pushed the door open with a confidence that dared anyone to stop him.

The princess lifted her gaze; even her usually empty expression flickered with surprise for a brief instant before settling back into her usual mask of nothingness.

"You came to see me so late, Ethan? How bold…" she said, slowly crossing her legs.

But Ethan didn't return the smile. Instead, he stepped forward until he was just a few steps from her.

"It's time to end this game," he declared, his voice firm, without warmth.

The princess raised an eyebrow, more curious than concerned. "End it? You really think that…"

She didn't finish the sentence. Ethan raised his hand, and translucent threads of mana appeared around her. They were fragments of the very magic she had used to manipulate minds, magic he had studied over the past days, analyzed, understood… and now mastered.

The princess's eyes stayed the same, unconcerned. "You really believe you can…?"

"You were careless," Ethan said, stepping closer, his voice low. "You thought you were untouchable, that no one could stand above you. It never crossed your mind that someone might learn the magic you spent so long perfecting, and do it in so little time."

She tried to step back, but the threads of mana tightened around her mind, forcing her to remain there, vulnerable.

Her composure began to crack. The smile vanished, replaced by something close to fear, a feeling she probably barely remembered or maybe had never truly felt.

"You won't succeed," she whispered, still believing he wasn't good enough.

Ethan looked at her, his gaze cold, not with arrogance or anger, just conviction. "I already have."

He felt her resistance falter; it wasn't just the magic breaking, but also her deep-seated certainty that she was always in control.

The threads of mana twisted tighter, dominating the original spell, until Ethan knew he could pull the mental strings as easily as moving pieces on a board.

The princess tried to compose herself, locking eyes with Ethan. "Do you really think you'll control me? And then what? Become king? Rule the entire kingdom?"

Ethan tilted his head slightly, as if reflecting on the question. "No…"

He stepped even closer, so near he could feel her quickened breath. "I don't want to be the king of a ruined kingdom like this. I already have my own kingdom to worry about."

She shivered, and for a moment, deep in her cold eyes, there was something beyond fear: curiosity. Fascination. It was the first time Ethan had spoken about himself so openly.

The threads of mana hummed, and Ethan felt the moment her mind finally gave in. Not broken, but subdued.

This magic was, at its core, just mana control, something he had already trained under the best. What she believed were weaknesses and flaws in the magic were nothing more than her own inability to wield it fully. Ethan hadn't merely learned it; he had discovered how to use it to its full potential.

Now, the princess was in his hands, conscious, proud, still herself… but sensing she could not break free from him.

Ethan let out a quiet sigh, as if finishing a tedious task. "Now," he said, his voice so calm it sounded like an order issued by the world itself, "you're going to show me the rest. Everything you still hadn't told me."

The princess lowered her gaze, her breathing unsteady. "Yes… Ethan."

In the silent hall, the loudest sound was the shifting of power to its new master. Ethan walked forward with quiet confidence, because the most dangerous piece on the board now obeyed him.

The princess walked ahead, her footsteps echoing along the stone corridor. The servants who crossed her path kept their eyes lowered, unaware that anything had changed.

Ethan followed close behind, his hands clasped behind his back. There was no apparent hurry, but each of his steps seemed to echo louder than usual.

"Hurry," he ordered, his voice low.

She didn't hesitate. She still kept her posture straight, still trying to act with nobility, but inside, Ethan could feel the weight of the submission he had imposed.

They arrived at one of the castle's secret rooms: a chamber reinforced with ancient magic, where she kept books, scrolls, and relics. Stolen artifacts, secret contracts, names of corrupted nobles and bought soldiers.

"All of this," she said, spreading her arms, "is the network I've maintained for years. Men and women who obey me without even knowing who they truly serve. Information that could bring down entire families."

Ethan stepped closer to the shelves, letting his fingertips brush over scrolls and sealed boxes. There was enough here to set the entire kingdom on fire.

He could feel her presence behind him, tense, almost restrained. Even without looking, he knew her mind was still fighting against what he had done. He knew the princess was wondering where her own will ended and where his control began.

He turned to face her. "You don't have to worry. I'm not you."

Her lips trembled slightly, but she raised her chin, trying not to look weak. "Yes, Ethan."

He watched her in silence, almost curious. There was still pride there, even if subdued. And it didn't look like she would lose that pride anytime soon.

"And the neighboring kingdoms?" he asked.

The princess nodded, leading him to a table where a large map rested, covered with symbols, lines, and notes. "These are the families we hold hostage through blackmail. Those willing to betray their crowns for gold. And these," she pointed to distinct symbols, "are my direct spies."

Ethan studied each detail, committing it all to memory. The threads of mana he kept tied to her soul pulsed, letting him feel the truth in her words.

She wasn't hiding anything. She couldn't.

Finally, Ethan placed his hands on the table and leaned forward slightly. "You built all of this alone?"

A flash of pride lit in her eyes. "Yes."

He didn't smile, but his gaze softened, almost respectful. "Impressive. I really expected you had some secret help."

The words, coming from him, seemed to weigh more than ordinary praise. She drew in a deep breath, her pupils dilating as if savoring the compliment.

"I want you to continue," Ethan said. "Expand this web. But now, it will be for me."

She blinked, surprised, but didn't argue. "Yes, Ethan."

For a moment, silence hung between them. Ethan believed she had always thought their relationship would end with one of them holding the other's leash. And she just hadn't realized it would be him holding it.

Ethan turned away. "It's time for you to know who you're really serving."

His eyes glowed gold.

"And also to change this kingdom's official religion."