The estate was busier than usual.
Servants were everywhere, wiping things that already looked clean. The knights were running extra drills. The eastern training yard had been cleared out, probably for the arriving families.
Lucien stood by the window, watching the carriages roll through the front gates. Each had a different crest — vassal banners. Some armored. Some polished to look richer than they really were.
He didn't need to see the names to know who was in them. These were the families who had served House Velentis for generations. They all showed up early, just like always, trying to prove something.
They're here for the Selection.
Five candidates would be chosen to represent House Velentis in the upcoming Talent Assembly — four vassals and one heir. The others would be sent home quietly.
Last time, I didn't care who got picked. This time… I do.
The winner of the Assembly would be allowed to choose one item from the Imperial Treasury. Most people didn't even understand how big that was.
Lucien did.
And he needed what was inside.
The library was quiet. Not empty. A few stewards were pretending to reorganize scrolls, but they kept glancing at him. He ignored them.
He pulled out a list of the arriving vassals — thirty-seven houses, all sending their best children. Some were old families with a history of knights and war mages. Others were newer, trying to rise through politics.
Lucien scanned the names and tossed the scroll back on the table.
Doesn't matter. I already know how this ends.
Lyra was waiting outside.
"The Duke is in the southern courtyard," she said. "He asked to see you."
Lucien gave a short nod and walked past her without saying anything.
Kael Velentis stood near the edge of the dueling ring, arms folded. A couple of apprentices were sparring in the background, but his attention was on the courtyard — where some of the vassals were walking around, pretending not to stare.
Lucien stopped beside him.
"They're early," he said.
Kael didn't look at him. "They always are."
"They want their kids chosen so that they think they can be par with the duchy," Lucien added. "Most of them probably think they've already earned it nd gonna overshadown everyone...hash stupid fellas, he cursed them in mind."
Kael's voice was calm. "Some are genuenly talented it's up to you how to use them and keep them under control."
There was a pause.
"Any favorites?" Lucien asked.
Kael finally glanced his way. "No. I'll watch them fight. The rest is noise."
Lucien nodded slightly.
"They'll test you too," Kael said. "Some will be subtle. Some won't. You're still young in their eyes and everyone wanna overshadow you."
"I'll deal with it."
Kael looked at him again, more directly this time.
"You remember what's at stake?"
Lucien didn't answer right away.
"The Imperial vault," he said.
Kael nodded. "One item. No questions. No negotiations. That's the prize."
Lucien's hands tightened behind his back.
"I want something from there," he said.
"I figured."
Kael turned back to the ring.
"You'll be facing the finalists tomorrow. One by one. I'm not stepping in. It's all on you."
"Good."
Kael didn't say anything else.
That night, Lucien sat in his room with the pendant on his desk.
The same one his mother gave him.
It still glowed faintly, like it always had.
He looked at it for a while, then reached for the scroll again — the list of names, the rules, the terms of the Selection.
It was simple, really.
Fight. Win. Take what I need. Fix what broke.