Morning light streamed through the windows, but Natalia found no comfort in the warmth. She sat at her desk, surrounded by letters and maps, her thoughts focused on the impending threat. Damon had reported that several nobles aligned with the Ashbournes were meeting in secret, conspiring to weaken the Delacroix family’s hold on the East.
Time is running out.
A knock on the door broke her concentration.
"Come in," Natalia called, already knowing who it was.
Damon entered with a grim expression. "It’s confirmed. Nicholas Ashbourne is rallying support. Some of the eastern lords have already pledged their loyalty to him."
Natalia’s lips tightened. "Cowards," she muttered. "They think the Ashbournes will protect them from me."
Damon leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "They’re not just after the dukedom. They want to ruin you personally—make sure you lose everything."
Natalia’s gaze darkened. "Then I’ll ruin them first."
---
Later that day, Natalia met with her personal guard in the estate’s war room. The tension in the air was palpable as they reviewed their strategy.
"We’ll divide the forces into two," Natalia explained, pointing at the map. "Damon, you’ll lead a smaller team to infiltrate the nobles’ meeting in secret. I need names—everyone involved."
"And what about you?" Damon asked.
"I’ll deal with Cassandra and Nicholas," Natalia said coldly. "If they think I’ll let them toy with me, they’re mistaken."
"Be careful, Natalia," Damon warned. "These people are desperate."
She gave him a sharp smile. "Good. Desperation makes them careless."
---
Meanwhile, in the Montague estate, Maximilian was preparing his own forces for the inevitable clash. He had received word from one of his spies—Cassandra and Nicholas were planning to make their move soon.
Maximilian folded the message carefully, his red eyes burning with determination. They won’t touch her. Not while I’m alive.
"Ready the men," he commanded one of his knights. "We leave tonight."
"But the formal summons hasn’t arrived yet, my lord," the knight said hesitantly.
Maximilian’s gaze turned icy. "I don’t care. If they so much as lay a finger on her, I’ll burn everything they love to ashes."
---
That evening, Natalia rode through the forest with a handful of her trusted guards. The meeting between the conspirators would take place in the abandoned manor on the outskirts of the Delacroix territory—an isolated location, perfect for secrecy.
As they approached, Natalia’s heart pounded, not with fear, but with excitement. Let the traitors gather. She had no intention of waiting quietly in the shadows.
The group dismounted a short distance from the manor, their boots crunching softly against the forest floor. Natalia adjusted the hood of her cloak, her purple eyes gleaming in the moonlight.
"Remember," she whispered to her men. "No mercy."
---
Inside the manor, Nicholas Ashbourne sat at the head of a long table, a smug smile playing on his lips as he addressed the gathered nobles.
"With the Delacroix line divided and the girl isolated, it’s only a matter of time before we take control of the East," he said confidently.
Cassandra Windmere sat beside him, her smile just as smug. "Once Natalia is out of the way, the rest of the Delacroix family will fall in line."
The nobles murmured in agreement, oblivious to the danger lurking just beyond the walls.
---
Suddenly, the doors to the manor burst open. Natalia strode in, her cloak billowing behind her, a storm of determination in her eyes. Her guards followed closely, weapons drawn.
"Planning something without me?" Natalia said with a cold smile, her voice carrying through the room.
Nicholas shot to his feet, his eyes wide with shock. "What—how did you—?"
Cassandra’s expression twisted into a sneer. "You shouldn’t have come here, Natalia."
"And let you slander my name behind my back?" Natalia took a step forward, her voice steady and calm. "I don’t think so."
Nicholas reached for the sword at his side, but Natalia’s guards were quicker. They pinned him and the other traitorous nobles against the wall, disarming them with practiced efficiency.
"You’ve made a grave mistake, Nicholas," Natalia whispered, her voice laced with menace. "And you, Cassandra—I warned you once. Now, I’ll make sure you regret ever crossing me."
---
The sound of hooves thundered outside as a new force arrived at the manor. Maximilian burst through the doors, his eyes instantly locking onto Natalia. Relief flickered across his features, but it was quickly replaced by fury when he saw Cassandra and Nicholas.
"Are you hurt?" Maximilian asked, striding to Natalia’s side.
"I’m fine," Natalia replied, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Just tying up loose ends."
Maximilian’s gaze shifted to Cassandra and Nicholas, his expression dark and dangerous. "They won’t leave here alive."
Nicholas paled, realizing too late that they had underestimated Natalia—and the ruthless man by her side.
---
With their enemies subdued, Natalia turned to the gathered nobles. "Spread the word," she commanded. "The Ashbournes and their allies will be dealt with. Those who betray the Delacroix name will suffer the consequences."
Her voice was calm, but the threat was unmistakable.
"Anyone else care to challenge me?" she asked, her gaze sweeping the room.
Silence. No one dared to speak.
---
As the night wore on and the manor emptied, Natalia and Maximilian stood alone by the flickering fire.
"You came for me," Natalia murmured, glancing up at him.
"Always," Maximilian replied, his voice soft. "And I always will."
Natalia smiled, her heart steady for the first time in a long while. Together, they had faced betrayal and danger—and together, they would emerge stronger.
But the game wasn’t over yet. The empire still held many secrets, and Natalia had no intention of resting until every last enemy was defeated.
---
End of Chapter 23.