### A Kingdom in His Absence
At twelve, Lucien was a boy with power.
At fifteen, he had become the force behind a throne.
The academy loomed on the horizon, a place where nobility sharpened their minds as keenly as their swords. But leaving House Silver Star unattended was never an option.
So, he spent the last three years ensuring that his household would not crumble in his absence.
And that when he returned, he would still rule.
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### Forging His Council
The selection had begun years prior, but the true tests of loyalty continued well beyond the initial gathering.
Some had faltered, proving their incompetence. They were removed.
Others had grown into their roles, cementing themselves as pillars beneath Lucien's rule. They remained.
The council that stood before him now was honed—each individual carefully chosen, each position filled by a mind that understood exactly what was at stake.
From Lady Elise, whose cold precision cut deeper than steel—
To Elias, the quiet strategist whose influence seeped into the merchant guilds like ink into parchment—
To Aldric, the seasoned warrior who stood as the household's final defense should the tides of politics turn too cruel.
They were his right hand, his shadow, his strength.
And when he stepped into the academy, they would guard his kingdom in his name.
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### The Final Decree
On the eve of his departure, Lucien gathered them one last time.
"You are here because you have proven yourselves," he said, his voice steady, his command absolute.
"But proof is never final. It is continuous. It is tested each day, shaped by each decision. And failure"—he paused, letting the weight of his words settle—"is not an option."
They did not falter. They understood.
Because loyalty meant nothing unless it endured.
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