The Kaiser estate's courtyard was filled with organized chaos.

Servants moved efficiently between carriages, loading trunks and supplies for the journey to the capital.

Guards checked weapons and armor.

Duke Alaric stood near the lead carriage, his traveling clothes simple but fine, speaking quietly with his captain Adrian before his departure.

Lady Genevieve supervised the final preparations with the calm efficiency of someone who'd made this journey many times before.

Octavia descended the estate steps with measured grace, Celeste and Annabelle following close behind.

All three sisters wore expressions that tried to mask their concern and failed.

"Mother," Octavia said, reaching Genevieve first. "Are you certain about this timing?"

Genevieve turned from directing a servant about which trunk went where, her eyes softening as she took in her eldest daughter's worried expression.

"The King's summons isn't a request, dear. We have no choice but to go."

"But with Jack still…" Octavia began.

"Still absent," Genevieve finished gently. "Yes. I'm aware." She reached out, touching Octavia's cheek with maternal affection.

"You've been managing beautifully. The contracts, the delegations, everything. You don't need Jack to hold House affairs together."

"It's not about capability," Octavia said quietly. "It's about what his absence means. It's been weeks without as much as an explanation. If the other houses discover…"

"Then we tell them the truth." Duke Alaric's voice carried as he approached, his expression stern but not unkind. "That our heir is handling matters that required his personal attention. Which, knowing Jack, is probably accurate."

Celeste stepped forward, her usual playfulness subdued. "You'll be gone for at least a week maybe longer depending on what the King wants to discuss."

"Which is why I'm trusting you three to maintain order here," Alaric said, his gaze moving between his daughters.

"Octavia will handle the administrative matters. Celeste, you'll manage the social obligations and visiting dignitaries. Annabelle, continue your work with the household accounts and supply management."

Annabelle nodded, though her hands twisted nervously in her skirt. "Father, what if... what if something happens while you're gone?"

The question hung in the air, clear to everyone present.

Genevieve moved to embrace her youngest daughter. "Then you have Seraphina," she said simply. "And you have each other. And most importantly, you have the training we've given you."

As if summoned by the mention of her name, Seraphina emerged from the estate's entrance, her movements as silent as always. She carried a sealed letter which she handed directly to Octavia.

"Contingency instructions," Seraphina said, her voice low enough that only the family could hear. "In case certain situations arise that require immediate action. Don't open it unless absolutely necessary."

Octavia took the letter, feeling its weight despite the thin parchment. "What kind of situations?"

"The kind that would require House Kaiser to make decisions without waiting for His Grace's return," Seraphina replied. Her dark eyes moved to each sister in turn. "Trust your instincts. All of you. And trust each other."

Duke Alaric embraced each of his daughters in turn, his usually stern demeanor softening for these private moments.

"Octavia," he said as he held her, "you're more capable than you give yourself credit for. Don't second-guess your decisions."

"Keep your wit sharp and your wine sharper. You have a gift for seeing through people's facades. Use it."

"Your art shows you see details others miss. Apply that observation to everything, not just your sketches."

Lady Genevieve's farewells were equally measured but carried a mother's warmth that Alaric's practicality couldn't quite capture.

"Where is Jack?" Annabelle asked suddenly, the question that had been hovering over all of them finally spoken aloud. "Mother, where do you think he is?"

Genevieve was quiet for a moment, her eyes distant. "Somewhere that matters to him," she said finally. "Jack doesn't disappear without reason. When he returns, I suspect we'll understand why."

"And if he doesn't return before..." Celeste trailed off, not finishing the thought.

"He will," Seraphina's voice cut through the moment with absolute certainty. All eyes turned to her. "When the time is right, young master will return. He always does."

"You seem very confident about that," Octavia observed.

Seraphina's expression remained unreadable. "I've served this house long enough to recognize patterns. Jack Kaiser doesn't abandon his responsibilities. He may disappear into them for a time, but he always returns when he's needed most."

"Even if he doesn't know he's needed?" Annabelle asked.

"Especially then," Seraphina replied. "Now, we should let His Grace and Lady Genevieve depart. The road to the capital is long, and they need to arrive before the formal summons expires."

The final goodbyes were said with the formality expected of noble families, but beneath the ceremony lay genuine affection and worry.

The carriages began to move, wheels crunching on gravel, horses' hooves striking a steady rhythm.

Octavia, Celeste, and Annabelle stood together on the steps, watching until the last carriage disappeared around the curve of the estate road.

Servants began dispersing back to their duties, the courtyard slowly emptying.

"Well," Celeste said, breaking the silence, "I suppose we're in charge now."

"We've been in charge for five days," Octavia corrected. "This just makes it official."

Annabelle looked at the sealed letter still clutched in Octavia's hand. "What do you think is in there?"

"Hopefully nothing we'll need to use," Octavia replied, tucking it into her sleeve. "Come on. We have work to do, and standing here worrying won't accomplish anything."

As the sisters turned to re-enter the estate, Seraphina remained on the steps a moment longer, her dark eyes scanning the horizon as if searching for something only she could see.

'Young master,' she thought, 'whatever you're doing, I hope it's worth the chaos you've left behind.'

----

The command tent stood at the center of a sprawling military encampment, its walls marked with the faded colors of House Thorne.

Outside, fifteen thousand mercenaries filled the valley.

A sea of tents, cook fires, and weapon racks stretching in every direction.

The camp sat two days' march from Sorne, close enough to strike quickly when the moment came, far enough to avoid detection by Kaiser scouts.

For now.

Marcus Thorne stood over a battered campaign table, his hands braced against its scarred surface.

Maps covered every inch, Sorne's layout, approach routes, defensive positions.

Weighted down by daggers and stones.

Around the table sat seven men, each one representing a different mercenary company Marcus had hired with money he'd scraped together through loans, promises, and selling everything House Thorne owned that wasn't nailed down.

They were a rough collection.

Scarred faces, weapons within easy reach, and eyes that calculated the value of everything they saw.

These weren't noble knights bound by codes of honor. They were professional killers who followed gold, not glory.

"Gentlemen," Marcus began, his voice carrying despite the sounds of the camp outside, "thank you for accepting my contract. I trust the initial payment was satisfactory?"

"Gold spends the same whether it's early or late," one captain said, a grizzled man named Garrett who commanded a company of two thousand cavalry. "But we're here for the details, not pleasantries. What's the job?"

Marcus smiled, the expression not reaching his eyes. "The job is simple. We're going to take Sorne."

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