Reborn as the Last van Ambrose

The ride to the imperial palace gave him time to organize his thoughts and prepare his presentation. Evidence of treason required careful handling. If it was too dramatic and it appeared fabricated or too subtle and it might be dismissed as political maneuvering.

Grim would just be seen as a man trying to get rid of his greatest obstacle. He had a blood debt that he had yet to fulfill.

He just wanted Julius to kive with the fear that Grim wanted his heart.

He would present facts in measured tones, allow the empress to draw her own conclusions, and stand ready to provide whatever additional support she required.

The palace gates loomed ahead, their marble columns catching the morning sunlight like pillars of fire. Guards in pristine uniforms moved with the precision of soldiers who were reqdy for anything, and their weapons were sharp and their formations professional.

"Lord Grim van Ambrose," he announced to the gate captain. "I carry urgent intelligence for Her Majesty."

"Of course, my lord. She's been expecting you."

[Has she now?] Caius observed with interest. [Either she's more perceptive than we gave her credit for, or someone else has been reporting on your activities.]

The palace corridors felt different today. What had seemed like excessive grandeur now appeared as symbols of power worth protecting. Marble floors and elaborate tapestries represented stability, order, and the rule of law that Julius Luminaris intended to overthrow.

As he approached the throne room, Grim noticed increased security. More guards at checkpoints, additional patrols in the corridors, subtle signs that the empress was taking precautions.

Had she somehow learned about the conspiracy independently? Or was this simply the paranoia that kept rulers alive in a world full of ambitious nobles?

The throne room doors opened to reveal the familiar grandeur of imperial power. Empress Alexia sat upon her throne with the composed dignity of someone born to command, her purple silk dress and golden crown symbols of authority that had endured for centuries.

But before he could approach the throne, a familiar voice called his name from the side of the great chamber.

"Lord Grim van Ambrose."

Princess Liona stepped from behind a marble pillar, her appearance as stunning as always but her expression carrying new complexity. She wore a gown of deep blue silk that emphasized her ethereal beauty, but her blue eyes held storms that hadn't been there the night before.

[Oh, this should be interesting,] Caius observed with amusement. [The princess doesn't look happy about something.]

"Your Highness," Grim replied with appropriate courtesy, though he noted how her presence complicated his mission.

"I was hoping to speak with you privately before your audience with my mother." Liona's tone carried the authority of royalty, but beneath it lay something more personal. "About last night's... activities."

The words fell into the throne room like stones into still water. Several courtiers turned to observe the exchange, their expressions mixing curiosity with concern.

[She knows,] Caius said with sudden realization. [Somehow, she knows about your wild night with Mira.]

"Liona," Empress Alexia's voice carried clearly across the chamber. "Lord Ambrose carries urgent intelligence that requires immediate attention. Personal matters can be addressed later."

"Of course, Mother." Liona's smile was perfectly composed, but her eyes promised that their conversation was merely postponed, not cancelled. "I simply wanted to ensure Lord Ambrose understood the complexity of the current court dynamics."

The emphasis on 'complexity' carried enough venom to kill a dragon. Princess Liona had clearly spent the night learning about his private meeting with Mira Luminaris, and her reaction suggested she was jealous.

Hell knows no wrath like a woman's fury. Especially a princess.

"Your Majesty," Grim said, moving toward the throne with measured steps. "I bring evidence of immediate threats to imperial security."

"Speak freely, Lord Ambrose."

He reached into his jacket and withdrew carefully organized documents, it was his own notes from Mira's confessions, combined with observations about suspicious activities among the named conspirators.

"House Luminaris is planning a coup against your throne. They intend to act during the harvest festival in three weeks' time." He whispered into her ear so no one could here.

Courtiers gasped and began whispering among themselves. Guards moved to more alert positions. Even the empress leaned forward with obvious concern.

It was unusual for Grim to whisper into the Empress's ear.

"Explain," she commanded.

"Lord Castellan has positioned three regiments for rapid response. Duke Ravencrest has arranged financing through merchant guild accounts. General Blackwood controls the eastern fortresses and their garrisons."

Each word struck like a hammer blow against her ears. "Julius Luminaris plans to present himself as the only alternative to chaos after they eliminate key opposition."

"What key opposition?"

"They intend to murder General Morrison during the coup. Frame it as a military accident to remove your most trusted advisor."

Princess Liona moved closer as he spoke, her presence a distracting warmth at the edge of his awareness. But her expression had shifted from personal anger to professional concern as Empress Alexia's eyes widened.

"How did you obtain this intelligence?" the empress asked.

"Through careful investigation of suspicious activities among the named parties."

It was technically true, though it omitted the specific methods used to extract confessions from Mira Luminaris. Some details were better left unspoken.

"Do you have proof of these accusations?"

"Julius Luminaris maintains documentation of his plans in a locked desk drawer in his private study. Signed agreements with co-conspirators, financial records, correspondence detailing timing and coordination."

[Brilliant,] Caius observed. [You're giving her everything she needs to act while protecting the source of your intelligence.]

Princess Liona got closer and overheard the conversation.

"Your Majesty," Princess Liona said suddenly, her voice carrying new urgency. "If this intelligence is accurate, we need to act immediately. The harvest festival is the perfect cover for a coup."

The empress nodded grimly. "Lord Ambrose, you will accompany the imperial guard to search the Luminaris estate. Secure any evidence you can find."

"And if they resist?"

"Then they confirm their guilt." Her expression hardened into something cold and implacable. "High treason carries only one penalty."

As Grim prepared to leave with the guard detail, Princess Liona moved to intercept him near the throne room doors. Her hand settled lightly on his arm, the touch appearing casual but carrying unmistakable personal claim.

"We still need to discuss your... investigative methods," she said quietly, her blue eyes fixed on his face with intensity that suggested she knew far more about his activities than she should.

"After the immediate threat is resolved, Your Highness."

"Yes. After." But her smile suggested that conversation would be anything but pleasant.

[You're in trouble with that one,] Caius observed with amusement. [She's figured out exactly how you extracted that intelligence, and she's not happy about it.]

As Grim left the palace with his guard escort, he reflected on the morning's developments. The trap was about to spring on House Luminaris, but Princess Liona's reaction suggested new complications on the horizon.

Mira had walked home thinking she'd achieved victory. Instead, she had authored her family's complete destruction.

But the princess's anger hinted that destroying House Luminaris might only be the beginning of his troubles.