Frozen Flame of Dawn - Chapter 97

Chapter 97: Chapter 47: Threat & Warning_2

He had always planned for his family to rise in power and had groomed his son Henry, strengthened their position within the Federation, and slowly consolidated influence.

But had he give too much power to someone who can go against him, had his own maneuvering created something that was now spiraling out of control?

No, he shook the thought away but even so, he had to answer her because right now, in this room, everyone was waiting and his silence would be more damning than anything he could say.

Just as he was about to speak—

“It’s just a conjecture.” A new voice cut through the tension as Richard’s head snapped up.

Standing behind him, Alaric Riendfeld his great grandson had stepped forward. The young man’s expression was firm, but there was a hint of nervousness in his eyes.

“This is all based on speculation,” Alaric continued, his voice carefully measured. “You don’t have any evidence that my family intends to break away.”

Yenna’s gaze shifted toward him, but she let him speak.

“What if, instead of rebellion, they are simply securing their positions and are preparing to assist the Federation once things stabilize?” Alaric’s words had been swift, a calculated maneuver to divert attention from the core issue that the Riendfeld family’s unchecked influence in the other provinces.

And for a moment, it worked as Richard, ever the seasoned tactician, seized the opportunity his great-grandson had created. “What my boy said is correct as this is all just speculation.”

“And even if they seek someone they trust to take charge in the Federation, isn’t that how leadership has always worked?” His voice was measured but deliberate. “Influence is power and power belongs to those who earn it.”

A murmur of contemplation passed through the room as he had subtly reframed the discussion. Instead of defending against rebellion, he had turned it into a question of governance—a debate on leadership.

But Yenna wasn’t fooled and she let the silence stretch for a moment before speaking. “I have no problem if your family members come into power through influence, Richard.”

Her words were calm, but the steel behind them was impossible to miss. “But this Federation was built on the voices of the people and not on the rule of a single family.”

The shift in the atmosphere was immediate.

“If the Riendfeld family consolidates control over multiple provinces…” She turned slightly while scanning the room, making sure everyone was listening. “And they use that power to manipulate the structure so that no one else can challenge them… then this will not be a Federation anymore.”

Her icy gaze landed back on Richard. “It becomes a monarchy.”

A tense silence followed and the one that shattered it was the unexpected voice of the former head of the Dragon Unit—a man who had been silent throughout the entire conversation. “I agree with Yenna.”

The words landed like a hammer as he leaned forward, his piercing gaze locking onto Richard.

“The Federation was created to ensure no single family or individual could control the fate of its people and if your family gains dominance over multiple provinces, that balance is lost and if the balance is lost… then there is no Federation.”

His voice was firm, final.

“So until we confirm whether Yenna’s concerns are true, your family’s influence in the Central Province should be removed completely.” It was not a request but a verdict and one by one, the room began to shift.

As the former Chancellor nodded with few elders murmured in agreement.

The old man who had questioned Yenna at the start was no longer silent as he spoke. “It is only fair.”

Richard felt a slow, burning rage build in his chest as this was a trap and a carefully orchestrated ambush against his family’s power which he had walked straight into it.

His fingers curled tightly against the polished wood of the table, his nails pressing into his palm, he wanted to object and to fight back.

But then Yenna’s voice cut through the storm inside him. “Elder Richard, don’t even think about objecting.”

Her eyes locked onto his, unwavering. “I haven’t even brought up the secret research facilities your family has been funding across the provinces.”

The room froze a sRichard’s breath stalled with his mind raced as how much does she know and how did she find out?

The hidden facilities, the classified research, the experiments they had been running before the surge—all done without the Federation’s authorization.

If that information was brought to light, it wouldn’t just be political exile but would be treason and his influence wouldn’t just be removed but he would lose everything.

“You can accept this decision…” Yenna leaned forward slightly, her expression unreadable. “Or you can leave Central Province and join your family in the other province and no one will stop you.”

The message here was clear stay, and lose your power or leave, and lose your standing and there was no third option.

The weight of the moment pressed down on Richard like an iron shackle, knowing he had been cornered and for the first time in his long career of playing politics, he had no way out.

Leave, and lose all influence in the Central Province or stay, and risk losing everything if his family didn’t remain loyal.

But if he stayed here powerless, waiting for his family to rise and reclaim control, he would become irrelevant.

He wouldn’t allow that so his decision came swiftly, voice composed but cold. “Very well. I accept.”

“I will leave the Central Province and join my family in the outer provinces.” His tone betrayed nothing, but everyone in the room knew better a hollow promise. “And will ensure stability there to prevent rebellion, and maintain order.”

No one in the room believed him, not even Richard himself.

This wasn’t about stopping rebellion—this was about controlling it.

He was going to take power himself before his own family members could turn against him.

Yenna’s expression remained unreadable as she knew what he was planning, and yet—no one stopped him.

Because they didn’t need to the Central Province was the heart of the Federation, the center of all military power, infrastructure, and population.

As long as they secured it, the outer provinces—no matter how many fell into Richard’s hands—wouldn’t matter.

With a measured breath, Richard pushed back his chair and stood.

Henry followed suit, his expression unreadable, but there was a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes and then there was Alaric the youngest of the three, still naïve to the true intricacies of politics, but learning quickly.

His sharp gaze flicked toward Yenna, narrowed, as though already plotting his next move.

Without another word, the three turned and left the room while their footsteps echoed through the stone halls, a sound that felt final, but temporary as this wasn’t the end but only the beginning.