Chapter 299: Counterattack Plan

Adrian's fingers drummed lightly against the table, the rhythm sharp and precise — a reflection of his deepening thoughts. His crimson eyes moved from the map to the parchment, then finally to Isabella.

"You're right," he said slowly. "If we bring this to the capital now, they'll hesitate. Vortigern's influence runs deep. All we have is the word of a tortured cultist and traces of black magic routed through his territory. It's not enough to bring down a noble of his standing."

"And if we push too hard with too little," Seraphina added grimly, "they might turn the scrutiny on us instead — claim we're trying to undermine a peer house. Or worse… frame us for instigating this conflict."

Sophia nodded. "We need a buffer. Someone who can apply pressure without it coming directly from us."

Isabella leaned her elbows on the table, folding her hands beneath her chin. "Then we let our allies move first — House Blackthorn."

Everyone nodded knowingly this time. There was no need for surprise.

"Their rivalry with House Vortigern is no secret," Isabella continued, her voice crisp. "And now that we've already formed an alliance through Adrian’s engagement to Lira, we don’t need to fabricate an excuse to reach out. We simply give them the truth — and let them decide how loudly to shout it."

Rosalyn gave a short nod. "The Blackthorns have every reason to act. If this evidence is handed to them quietly, they can weaponize it however they see fit — without implicating us directly."

"And if they strike first," Adrian murmured, "it creates a smokescreen. While the capital is focused on the feud between two noble houses, we finish dismantling the rest of Vortigern’s network."

Chris leaned forward, eyes burning. "And if Count Blackthorn makes this personal, the court will be forced to pay attention. Vortigern won’t be able to twist it as easily."

"Especially with Mira involved," Adrian added. "She's no fool. She’ll know how to present this as both justice… and opportunity. She won't let the Vortigern's until they shed some tears."

"I’ll prepare a secure report," Isabella said. "Signed and sealed with the Everhart crest — but addressed directly to Lady Blackthorn. Let Mira take it from there. She’ll know how to get it into the right hands."

Seraphina raised her hand. “Include a letter from me as well — as former Royal Mage, I can validate the magical evidence and the traces of abyssal influence. That will make the accusations harder to dismiss. Even though the royal family discarded me, they can't ignore my opinion along with a Count household.”

Adrian nodded. “Make sure we also send duplicates through separate messengers. If Vortigern intercepts one… the others still reach their mark.”

Sophia looked up. "And if the Blackthorns respond in force?"

"Then we act with them," Adrian said, his voice steady. "This alliance was forged for a reason. And now we have the chance to use it."

Eve’s smile turned razor-sharp. "Let Vortigern taste the consequences of underestimating who he was dealing with."

Isabella’s crimson eyes gleamed. "Then I’ll begin drafting the correspondence immediately."

Adrian looked around the table — his women, his allies, his family — and gave a firm nod.

“We know our roles. Mom, prepare the documents. Include detailed evidence, but keep it tight — we can’t afford any information leaks. Sophia, Christine, double-check the cultist cells. I don’t want any sudden accidents before the trial. Check if they have any means for suicide or have any spells casted on them that may compel them to take their own lives.”

Chrisitne grinned at finally being able to provide help to her big brother.

“Don't worry big brother, as a saintess of goddess of fate, I can discern any dark spells or curse on them.”

“Rosalyn,” Adrian continued, “begin compiling the magical traces we’ve retrieved. Package them in a way that even the Royal Court’s skeptics won’t be able to deny.”

She nodded quietly, her eyes focused and determined.

“Chris, Eve, coordinate with our scouts. I want a list of all remaining cultist hideouts in the region. Any location they frequented, any routes they used to move resources, especially those that overlap with Vortigern’s trade lines.”

Chris straightened, nodding. “We’re on it.”

Seraphina crossed her arms. “And I’ll begin preparing a sealing circle just in case Vortigern tries to summon anything. If he retaliates with dark creatures, I want to make sure we can counter it before it even touches our borders.”

Adrian exhaled slowly. “We’ll move as a blade — quiet, sharp, and precise. Vortigern won’t even see the cut until it’s too late.”

There was a quiet round of affirming nods. The room, once tense with anger, now buzzed with purpose.

Isabella’s voice was softer this time. “We’ll send the message at first light. It’ll reach the Blackthorns by the end of the second day.”

Adrian leaned forward, pressing both hands against the table as he gave one last look at the strategy map. “If this works… it won’t just stop Vortigern. We might even catch some big fish behind him as well. So, we need to prepare accordingly and we need to get stronger fast.”

Moments later, the council disbanded.

The women left one by one to attend to their duties, their expressions hardened with conviction.

Adrian and Seraphina walked together out of the chamber, their footsteps echoing down the corridor of the Everhart estate.

As they stepped into the outer hall, they were met with an unexpected, delightful sight.

There, standing in front of the massive double doors, was Aria — wearing a tiny pink dress embroidered with golden thread, her little hands clasped in front of her as she rocked on her heels impatiently.

Her bright eyes lit up the moment she saw Adrian, and her voice rang out in a sweet, eager chime.

“Papa! Have you finished your work? Can we play now?” she asked, tilting her head slightly with an expectant grin.

The tension that had weighed on Adrian’s shoulders for hours melted in an instant.

He barely managed to keep a straight face as he stepped forward and scooped her up into his arms, spinning her lightly in the air before pulling her close.

“A promise is a promise,” he said with a playful smile, placing a gentle kiss on her cheek. “Papa has finished his work — now it’s time to play with you.”

Aria squealed with delight, her little arms wrapping tightly around his neck. “Yaaay! I knew you wouldn’t forget!”

She giggled as she planted a  kiss of her own on Adrian’s cheek, earning a small chuckle from Seraphina who had paused nearby, arms crossed with an amused smile.

“Oh dear,” Seraphina murmured, feigning solemnity. “I think your daughter just conquered the Everhart Lord.”

Adrian smirked, brushing Aria’s soft curls from her forehead. “She has more power in her smile than the Abyssal Harbinger has in his soul.”

Aria puffed her cheeks proudly. “That’s ‘cause I’m the strongest!”

“And the cutest,” Chris said from the side with Christine at her side.

Christine giggled, nodding. “She’s got the whole house enchanted.”

Adrian glanced around at his companions — the tired but fierce warriors who had shared blood, battle, and now… family.

In that moment, for just a little while, there was no war, no politics, no abyssal threats. Just the warmth of bonds forged in fire… and the infectious joy of a little girl who had finally found her home.

"Come on then," Adrian said as Aria nestled comfortably in his arms. "Let's go on an adventure."

"To the garden?" she asked, eyes sparkling.

"Anywhere you want, Aria."

Her laughter echoed down the corridor — bright, full of wonder, and impossibly pure.

And for the first time that day, Adrian allowed himself to relax.