Age: 8 Years
Power did not move in great waves—it moved in ripples, small disturbances that changed the course of everything.
And Lucien Silver Star had just sent his first ripple through noble society.
The subtle doubts he had planted in the minds of House Aldric's merchants were beginning to take shape. Lord Veylan—his chosen target—had unknowingly started losing influence, his authority challenged in small conversations, his decisions quietly questioned by those who had once obeyed him without hesitation.
This was not yet a downfall.
But it was the beginning of one.
And Lucien had every intention of ensuring it led to something far greater.
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### The Growing Distrust Within House Aldric
It started slowly—conversations that lingered too long, minor disputes over contracts, hesitations among trade officials.
But soon, it spread.
Valerian, using his All-Seeing Eyes, monitored the subtle shift in influence, watching as the noble court began its natural adjustment.
[Influence Tracking: House Aldric's Trade Council]
- Corruption Progress: 14% – Suspicion Forming
- Behavioral Shifts: Increased discussions about leadership decisions, minor disagreements over trade strategies.
- Hidden Weakness: Divided loyalties—certain merchants begin seeking alternative alliances.
He did not need to force anything.
All he needed to do was watch and guide.
Because people did not realize when they were being manipulated.
They only ever thought their choices had been their own.
---
### The First Opportunity to Strike
With the growing instability within House Aldric's trade leadership, Lucien needed to act before the fractures sealed themselves.
And that meant forging his first alliance—one that would shift noble influence toward him.
Through careful observation, he identified a rising merchant, one who had begun questioning Lord Veylan's leadership but had yet to take decisive action.
His name was Gerald Fayn, a man whose ambitions exceeded his current position within House Aldric.
And tonight, Lucien would ensure those ambitions aligned with his own.
---
### A Carefully Orchestrated Encounter
The merchant gatherings were loud, filled with discussions of gold, contracts, and influence.
Lucien positioned himself carefully—not at the center, but just close enough to be noticed without seeming too forward.
When Gerald passed by, Lucien spoke—not as a noble demanding attention, but as an observer offering insight.
"Lord Veylan has held influence for many years," he murmured, his tone light, contemplative, designed to appear as though he were merely thinking aloud. "But it seems the world is shifting. Some decisions are no longer as strong as they once were."
Gerald paused, glancing at him with keen interest.
"What are you implying, Lord Valerian?"
Lucien met his gaze, not with dominance, but with the quiet promise of understanding.
"I am only saying that power favors those who are prepared for change," he said simply. "And that when leadership begins to crack, someone always steps forward to fill the void."
A spark of realization flickered in Gerald's eyes.
A new thought. A consideration. A seed of ambition carefully planted.
And just like that, Lucien had begun forming his first noble alliance.
---
### A Future of Influence
This was only the beginning.
Lord Veylan's position was already shifting, his authority slowly crumbling beneath the weight of uncertainty.
And soon, House Aldric's trade power would move toward the figures Lucien had chosen, ensuring their influence aligned with his own.
Because noble politics was not about waiting for power to come to you.
It was about shaping power to fit your hand before anyone realized it had moved at all.
And now, Lucien Silver Star had begun his true ascent into noble manipulation.