Cosmic Ruler - Chapter 320

Chapter 320: meeting

“Master, everything has been set as you requested. The Edrans won’t suspect our involvement with the southern district,” she said, bowing her head slightly.

Aiden nodded approvingly, gesturing for her to rise. “Good. I trust you all understand the importance of precision. Moon City is still under watchful eyes.”

The maid looked up, her gaze admiring yet unwavering. “Of course, Master. We wouldn’t risk endangering the progress you’ve made.”

Before she could leave, however, a second maid appeared in the doorway, her presence nearly undetectable if not for the slight rustle of her garments. She, too, bore a report and a faintly mischievous smile, casting an almost teasing look at her fellow maid.

“Master, might I stay a little longer? I would be honored to attend to you tonight,” she offered, her voice barely more than a whisper.

Aiden observed the two of them thoughtfully. His Shadow Maids were more than merely loyal—they possessed an almost single-minded dedication to their tasks and to him, working seamlessly in the shadows to maintain the order he had established. They also had a certain elegance that balanced their deadly skill, making them assets both on and off the field.

He settled onto a nearby chair, gesturing for both maids to approach. “Tonight, you’ve earned a reward,” he said, allowing a slight smile. “But first, tell me—how are the preparations for the other noble families proceeding?”

The first maid stepped forward, an excited glint in her eye. “The Valros family is feeling the pressure on their trade routes. Just as you planned, the inspections and disruptions are increasing their losses. They’ve started reaching out for outside help, but with the right manipulations, we’ll ensure they find little assistance.”

“And the Durnhams?” Aiden inquired, folding his hands as he observed the two.

The second maid answered smoothly, “They’re scrambling after the discovery of their hidden pathways. We’ve managed to sow doubt within their ranks, and rumors are already circulating that some of their own members have been bought by rival factions.”

Aiden chuckled softly, satisfied. “Then our timing is perfect. The Durnhams will turn against themselves, and the Voss family will buckle under the weight of their own greed.” He leaned back, his voice low and thoughtful. “Tonight, you two will remain here. You’ve earned the evening.”

The two maids exchanged a pleased glance, bowing respectfully. With the night finally turning calm, Aiden allowed himself to savor the steady unraveling of Moon City’s nobility, one family at a time.

As Aiden lay back on the bed, he watched his two Shadow Maids approach with a quiet intensity. Their movements were careful, each step a deliberate show of grace and devotion as they drew nearer to him. Their loyalty was unparalleled, and tonight they allowed themselves a rare moment to indulge their dedication in a more intimate, tender way.

In the dim light of the room, the maids shed their robes layer by layer, unveiling themselves with subtle glances and the faintest hint of a smile. Each one held Aiden’s gaze, their expressions a mix of reverence and passion as they offered themselves, fully devoted to their master. He had given them purpose and stability in a world of uncertainty, and tonight, they intended to honor that bond in their own way.

***

After many hours of constant practice with his maids he stopped.

As Aiden relaxed, the atmosphere in his quarters became charged with an unusual stillness, a brief reprieve from the plotting and subterfuge that had defined his recent days in Moon City. His Shadow Maids moved with quiet precision, setting the room in perfect order, their practiced steps making almost no sound against the polished stone floor.

One of the maids—Valeria—approached, her presence carrying a sense of devotion that was unmistakable. She began to prepare a drink for him, pouring from a dark crystal decanter, the liquid within catching the faint light from the fire.

“Master, I’ve taken the liberty of ensuring that tomorrow’s arrangements with the Loain family will proceed without any unexpected interruptions,” she murmured as she set the glass before him.

Aiden took in the glass as he savored the drink, “master, May I drink too?”

Aiden looked at her as he nodded as she kneeled as she began to drink from him.

While Aiden looked outside the window “I wonder, how it will unfold tomorrow”

**

The following day, at the Loain estate, the heads of all four noble families planned to convene for a critical meeting. They had begun to suspect that someone was systematically targeting Moon City’s power structure, and they were determined to get to the bottom of it.

With city security firmly in the hands of the Loain family, it was decided that the estate would be the safest place for such a discussion. Each family head arrived with a retinue, their faces showing a mixture of apprehension and determination as they were led to the grand meeting chamber—a room rarely used except for the most pressing matters. Seated around a long, polished table, the noble heads exchanged uneasy glances, all aware of the shifting balance of power.

As the host, Lord Loain opened the meeting, his tone grave. “Thank you all for coming. We are gathered here because it has become evident that Moon City’s stability is under threat. Unusual activities have been reported, and a calculated hand appears to be undermining our foundations.”

He looked to each head in turn: Lady Durnham, stern and always on guard; Lord Valros, a seasoned strategist with eyes that missed little; and Master Edran, who was more cautious and calculating, watching every move with suspicion.

Lady Durnham leaned forward, her voice sharp. “We have long controlled this city’s prosperity, but now I fear our very influence is being tested. Someone has been interfering with my family’s private channels—something I thought impossible.”

Lord Valros nodded. “The same could be said of our financial networks. There have been unexplained disruptions and losses that have no natural cause. It’s clear that our enemy understands our inner workings far too well.”

Lord Loain’s gaze hardened as he listened. “I have heard similar reports concerning our supply routes. If someone is targeting Moon City, they’re doing so with an alarming degree of precision.” He paused, his eyes scanning the room before adding, “We must determine if this threat is an outsider attempting to infiltrate, or if it stems from within.”

Master Edran, ever cautious, folded his arms. “If we are to survive this, we need to set aside our rivalries and share what we know. Otherwise, we risk leaving Moon City defenseless. Whoever this intruder is, they are prepared to dismantle us one family at a time.”

A quiet tension settled over the room as the family heads considered the implications. They knew that collaboration was a rare and fragile thing among them, but this time, their city—and their power—depended on it.

Aiden watched intently from his hidden vantage point, his gaze fixed on the ongoing meeting. Lord Edik Loain was steering the discussion with remarkable finesse, his calm, authoritative voice guiding the other heads through each concern while subtly influencing their decisions.

“He’s good,” Aiden murmured, a hint of admiration in his tone as he noted the subtle ways Edik was leading the conversation.

“My father may seem like just a straightforward military man,” Lana said quietly beside him, a hint of pride lighting up her eyes. “But he’s more aware of the rotten politics around here than most would guess.”

Aiden gave her a small nod, his attention shifting back to the council as Edik addressed Lady Durnham, an imposing figure who seemed perpetually on guard, and Lord Valros, who wore the wary gaze of a seasoned strategist.

Lord Edik Loain cleared his throat, drawing the attention of the room back to him with a presence that radiated command. His gaze settled first on Lady Durnham.

“We’ve all seen the recent disturbances,” he began. “The city has been teetering on the edge, and I have reason to believe that someone is exploiting our divisions. We can’t afford weakness within our ranks.”

Lady Durnham’s steely expression hardened. “I agree. There have been rumors of unusual activity within the Dunham district—unknown figures using the old passageways. The pathways were supposed to be sealed after the last uprising, yet somehow…” She paused, her voice trailing off in frustration.

“Somehow, they remain active,” Lord Valros finished for her, nodding. “These passages could be compromised. If someone is using them to move undetected, the entire city’s security could be at risk.”

Master Edran leaned forward, his face shadowed with suspicion. “And who would have access to these passages without any of us knowing?” His gaze darted between them, as if one of the heads might be harboring secrets.

Aiden listened, intrigued, as Edik took a slow breath, letting the tension build. “To my knowledge, none of us would risk the city’s safety. But if we suspect any treachery within, it is our duty to root it out.”

Lana leaned closer to Aiden, her voice soft. “Father doesn’t trust easily, but when he does, he holds people accountable. He’s setting a standard here.”