At the King’s Palace...

Ethan sat across from Carson in his study.

"A few days ago," the King began, "when you asked me to leave the matter of the family leaders to you... I didn’t expect it to be done this quickly."

"Four missing, five dead.."

He exhaled. "I have to admit, Mr Stark, I’m impressed. So tell me, how did you manage it?"

Ethan went on to give him a version of the story, leaving out certain details for different reasons.

For instance, he did not mention the princess’s involvement, so as not to give the king any justification to assume Ethan was using his daughter as he pleased.

He also withheld the existence of the newest member of the Grand Class, Hayley.

What he did disclose was that he had worked alongside powerful casters, who, by mutual agreement, would not have their identities or affiliations revealed. However, he added that Mikael had also been involved.

That Mikael, he clarified, was his butler.

Ethan went on to explain how Eduardo had come into his service, a revelation that left the king in complete shock.

He elaborated further, describing how Eduardo’s strength had tilted the scale, and how, with that level of power involved, bringing down the family heads had become significantly easier.

In the end, it all felt believable; especially since Mikael’s involvement alone already made it plausible that even family heads could be subdued.

The king listened, then slowly shook his head as a relieving smile formed on his face.

"I have to say, I’m glad you’re not on Audrey’s side. Fighting that woman is already troublesome. With you involved... it would have been much worse."

Ethan returned the smile. "Speaking of which, has she been found?"

The king’s expression tightened. "No... She has not been in Gritnia since then."

He exhaled, rubbing his temple lightly. "I’m being careful with Audrey, because most of my children stand with her."

"So unless she moves against me directly, I can’t risk turning this into a war."

Ethan said nothing.

The king continued, almost to himself now.

"But with her allies from the families gone, she should have realized how futile this is."

Ethan, however, couldn’t help but recall something Merlin had once told him; that everything happening, or about to happen, was already within Audrey’s scope of expectations.

However, that thought led Ethan to ask another question. "Your son Alistair, he’s a summoner. May I ask what summon he possesses?"

"Hm..." Carson muttered, staring at Ethan in silence.

Ethan added, "Your Majesty, until Audrey is dealt with, I have to assume your son could also be an enemy. Any information about his summon could be useful."

Carson sighed, acknowledging that Ethan was right.

"Merlin," the king began. "It is a spellcasting summon, and one of the strongest within House Tudor’s possession. I would have preferred to have it bonded to myself, even over my second and third summons, but I was not compatible with it."

"Hm... no specifics on what it can do, or its weaknesses? Anything useful?" Ethan asked again.

Carson looked thoughtful. "I do not know much about the summon myself. In fact, its catalyst had been vaulted away for a long time and was only handed over to Alistair on his eighteenth birthday. It was a coming-of-age gift, and fortunately for him, he was able to summon it after breaking his contract with the previous one."

He paused briefly before continuing. "The only other thing I know is that it shares some history with Beilong. In their time alive, they both served the same king, Pendragon, but they were not close."

"For weaknesses... none are known in this time. But Beilong once mentioned that, in their era, a certain woman brought great strife upon their king and their entire kingdom."

"Morgana le Fay."

After a brief pause, Carson added, "And she, was the King’s own Sister... that’s all I know"

Ethan looked thoughtful, but said nothing more.

——

Meaning, In Isabella’s room...

Her arcphone buzzed, pulling her from the sleep she had been trying to catch. She opened her eyes, reached for it, and glanced at the screen.

[Rayla]: We need to talk. I’ll wait at your favorite place, Ernie’s.

Isabella stared at it for a moment, then exhaled and shut her eyes not long after.

——

That evening...

Ernie’s café wasn’t crowded, just low music and the humming sound of evening conversations.

Rayla was already there, seated by the window and watching as Isabella approached.

Isabella slid into the seat opposite her, setting her arcphone down on the table. "You chose a public place."

Rayla shrugged slightly. "I know you like this place."

The room fell awkwardly quiet for a moment.

Then Isabella spoke. "So... what’s this about?"

Rayla studied her for a second longer, as if weighing how best to begin. "Isabella, I want you to come with us."

Isabella sighed. "Rayla, I only came here because some part of me thought you, or at least you and Tristan, had come to your senses."

Rayla frowned. "You don’t understand the full picture," she said. "Everyone keeps acting like this is about tearing the Tudors down. It’s not."

Isabella let out another sigh. "Then enlighten me."

Rayla leaned forward. "If the fear is that Father will stop ruling, then yes, that’s happening. But that doesn’t mean the line ends. Alistair is expecting a child."

Isabella’s eyes narrowed a bit.

"With Audrey," Rayla added. "Alistair becomes king and the bloodline continues. Nothing is lost."

She spread her hands slightly. "There’s no collapse here, Isabella. It’s a simple transition, and if you stand with us, there’s a place for you in it."

Then Isabella shook her head slowly. "Andrea is dead."

Rayla stared out in shock, like she hadn’t heard it right. "what?"

Isabella looked away briefly, dropping her gaze to the table. "Yes. Andrea is dead."

"No," Rayla said immediately. "No, that’s not possible...we’ve been looking for her—"

"She’s dead, Rayla." The finality in Isabella’s voice made Rayla go still.

"How?" she asked,

Isabella’s fingers clenched. "In her bid to fulfill whatever rubbish Lady Audrey put her up to, she made the wrong move and took the life of someone she never should have."

"And she paid for it."

Rayla leaned back, shaking her head in disbelief. "no."

"Yes." Isabella looked back at her. "You see it now, don’t you? This path you’re all on? It doesn’t end well."

Rayla didn’t respond.

"So stop," Isabella pressed. "Stop before it gets worse. Come back to the castle. All of you."

She exhaled softly. "I know we Tudors are not like the normal family, but that doesn’t mean we have to throw everything away."

Her voice softened just a little. "I don’t want to lose any more of you guys."

Rayla looked at her, then slowly shook her head. "You think we’re being manipulated, you think this is all Lady Audrey’s doing."

"It is." Isabella maintained her stance

"And yet," Rayla continued, "you’re standing with people who are just as dangerous."

Isabella didn’t answer that.

Rayla watched her, then gave a tired smile. "I had to try."

Isabella’s expression didn’t change. "Rayla—"

"This is the last time," Rayla cut in gently. She stood up, pulling her coat around her.

"I won’t come to you again like this." She stepped back from the table before adding, "In the next few days, things are going to get really messy. So I’ll tell you this, please pass it on to Rayleigh as well. Neither of you should get involved any further. In fact, you should distance yourselves from the castle."

Her gaze held firm. "I don’t want to see either of you get hurt."

Isabella frowned, but said nothing as she watched Rayla turn away almost immediately and walk off.

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