In the capital of Lavan, Marquess Oren was drinking wine in a room with other nobles. They had calm expressions and were chit-chatting away and laughing. Their conversation was just about their everyday life until Oren put his glass on the table and looked at all of them.

  ‘Well, it has been some time since the Archduke died, and because of our efforts to put our people in the castle, no information has leaked. A masterful job by everyone in this room.’ Marquess Oren's eyes sparkled with pride as he looked at his fellow nobles, a sense of accomplishment filling the room.

  ‘That is thanks to your guidance, my lord. We will put you as the regent while he is still a child. You will lead us to a bright future.’ The noble raised his glass for a moment before drinking from it.

  ‘Thank you, but I would like to be in a more relatable way. I will announce the Archduke’s death and invite Ariadne to his funeral. Nobody would support her, and she will die soon, anyway.’ Oren crossed his legs.

  ‘So that is the reason you wanted us all and our family members to use that spell to preserve him as he was on the night of his death and locked the Archduchess in her room.’ Another noble took a sip of his drink.

  ‘Yes, I can’t trust her now. Once everything is set, she will be too focused on the child to be in the way, and this chapter of Lavan will be behind us, so let’s begin with how I will get your support when the time comes.’ He got the glass of wine again.

  ‘Of course, we will all support you, Marquess. The fact that you ruled from the shadows all this time, the Archduke was dead, proves that you are the one the kingdom needs.’ A noble from the left spoke in a serious tone.

  ‘That is true. We are saving the kingdom. In the last few years, the archduke has bowed his head to them instead of pushing away our enemies. If he could give the tribes slaves, he would.’ A noble on the left spoke in a snobbish tone, and his contempt for the Archduke was evident in every word he made.

  A soldier knocked on the door and opened it immediately. Oren got up and walked towards the soldier, who whispered next to him.

  ‘We found the Archduke dead on his bed.’ The soldier spoke.

  ‘I can’t believe… call the doctor now.’ Oren raised his voice.

  As the soldier left the room, he turned to face the other nobles. His timid smile didn’t match his sad tone of voice.

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  ‘The Archduke is dead… our beacon of hope is no more…’ He covered his mouth.

  The other nobles acted surprised by the news and chatted with one another as the door closed, and they were in private. Smiles showed on their faces, and Oren walked to the window and looked at the city.

  ‘The future will be bright.’ Marquess Oren whispered with confidence, his voice filled with hope and optimism for the coming days.

  Later, the news of the Archduke's death spread like wildfire, with everyone talking about it. After a few days, the streets were filled with fear and uncertainty because Adrian had no successor who could take his place immediately. In a bar in the capital, a conversation was taking place, highlighting the kingdom's vulnerability in the absence of a clear leader.

  ‘So, the duchess will be the successor? A Chatzi leading us, how times change.’ A man spoke while drinking wine.

  ‘But she has white hair. Who knows how many years she has… I’ve heard she was a good leader and even more strange rumors.’ Another man beside him waved to the waitress.

  ‘Velvent will take advantage of this and attack us. I just know it.’ A youngster slammed his hand on the table.

  Silence spread through the bar. Everyone there thought the same thing. Being without a leader was dangerous, so the majority didn’t care if Ariadne was a Chatzi or half as good as Adrian. If she was half as good as Adrian, that was enough, and the rumors about the duchy spreading through the kingdom gave them the impression that she was better.

  ‘Don’t be afraid. She will save us.’ A figure covered in a robe spoke while sitting next to the group.

  ‘What are you talking about? She is going to die soon. Didn’t you know that she has white hair?’ The youngster raised his voice.

  ‘What if I told you that her hair now is beautiful, blueish black, that she conquered the dungeon in the south?’ The robed figure raised his voice and slammed his fist on the table.

  Most people around the table started to laugh, but some didn’t and just observed those laughing with pity. The figure showed his face, and everyone recognized Avi Acker.

  ‘I was there. I saw things you can only imagine, but will soon be able to see. Your laughs are understandable, but she will touch your heart, and you all will understand what is to come.’ He got up and looked around.

  There was only silence, and those who didn’t laugh made a gesture with their hands, putting their fist close to their mouths. Another figure covered in a robe walked beside Avi and showed his face.

  ‘My name is Eli. Some of you may know who I am, but most don’t, which is fine. But I will tell you this: a golden age is coming for all of us. Under her eyes, we are all equal, and when you feel it, you will understand.’ He raised his voice as he spoke.

  ‘You are all talking like she is some kind of God.’ An older female crossed her arms while speaking.

  ‘She is, and her blessings make something like this possible.’ Avi got a device inside his robe.

  He put a device in the middle of the table, and it shone a bright light on the ceiling, taking most of the bar back in complete shock. In their mind, there was only one question: how was someone who wasn’t a noble using magic?

  ‘That is the blessing our Goddess gives us, and soon you all will see her love, benevolence, and power.’ He turns around and walks away, repeatedly putting the robe over his head.

  Eli followed right behind him, and those at the table looked at one another to see who would get the thing in the middle of the table. The female had talked before walking in and getting it. There was a switch to the side, but when she pressed it, nothing happened. It was then that an older Shafran came closer to her.

  ‘Can I see it?’ The old Shafran spoke in a soft tone.

  ‘Ok, old man, it doesn’t work.’ She gave it to him.

  ‘The device is fine.’ He pressed the switch and shut the light off.’The problem is that you lack something here.’ He tapped the right in the middle of her chest.