Across the Celetrial Empire, the news spread quickly.
They had already been watching for months so it was no surprise after there was a ceasefire and then following up, news spread about the agreement. The first news stations to know were Voss and Ulix and soon they spread to imperial networks.
Soon countless screens, all over the empire from noble palaces to trading stations and distant colonies all played the same message.
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BREAKING NEWS: VOSS WINS WAR
A well-dressed imperial anchor appeared before a rotating holographic map staring at the camera.
"Breaking news from the frontier systems. After months House Voss and House Ulix have formally ended hostilities following a negotiation agreement between Baron Wein Voss and Viscount Ulix."
"According to official reports submitted to the Imperial Registry just made public, the agreement grants House Voss shared governance over several key territories within the planet Ulix-Ultra namely the eastern continent."
Behind the image of Ulix-Ultra materialised and showed the land that was now under Voss rule.
"This comes after months of Voss advancing further into the region and claiming more lands. It is said Baron Wein Voss secured a remarkable victory in the war that forced Ulix to the negotiating table."
The reporter paused slightly.
"Additionally, Lady Andrea Ulix, daughter of Viscount Simon Ulix has travelled to Velmora as part of the diplomatic exchange between the two houses."
"This is a remarkable achievement for Baron Wein who has just stepped into the social society. After he secured a deal between House Kell and Untra, this success seems to be one of the first successes of his new career as lord."
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Reactions to this announcement followed almost immediately.
It became a topic for merchants and traders in the outer regions. Some spoke with excitement at this development, a war disrupted trade and it ending was an opportunity for trade and merchants.
Commoners were just happy that a common born noble was able to hold his own against a noble. Add to the fact that Voss was seen as a heroic house so, joy all throughout the empire was expected.
For nobles, the matter was far more complicated. House Voss was a dangerous house to be wary of but some were amused by how Wein was able to force a viscount to call for a ceasefire especially when he was just new to noble society.
***
House Aurrelion
On the fortress world of Ignis Prime, the seat of one of the Empire's oldest noble families, the broadcast played within a vast marble chamber.
Duke Marcus Aurrelion stood before a towering observation window as the report concluded. Behind him, several advisors and officers waited quietly also surprised at the turn of events by House Voss.
The Duke said nothing for a moment, the image of Ulix-Ultra slowly faded from the air.
"A frontier Baron…" he said calmly. "…defeats a viscount."
One of his advisors stepped forward.
"House Voss has a stronger military than Ulix, Your Grace. It's surprising it took this long."
"Strength was not the reason. Ulix was simply too weak," he replied coldly.
He slowly turned away from the observation window, his long crimson cloak trailing slightly behind him. His huge build was intimidating and towering.
"It is such a pity that, noble houses being humiliated by a common born. What was Neilson thinking?"
The advisors behind him exchanged uneasy glances. They all knew the history and respect the duke had for House Voss. And his disdain that Neilson named a common born as the heir of such a great house.
One officer spoke.
"Your Grace, House Voss's success will gain it renown across the empire and its new lord the opportunity to expand its influence."
Marcus did not reply. One of the officers trailing behind him spoke again.
"Should we intervene?"
Marcus waved the suggestion away dismissively.
"For all his achievements, Wein is inexperienced he will fall sooner or later. He is not someone that I can involve myself with. Don't mention him again."
"Yes, your grace"
***
House Valmira
On the far side of the empire, opposite to the Salven system and its neighbouring systems, House Valmira made its home. House Valmira was a Marquisate positioned on the border between the empire and the neighbouring systems.
Inside a luxurious floating garden on the capital world of Seralis, Lady Celestine Valmira watched the broadcast with clear interests.
She did not appear surprised by Voss's success rather she was amused.
"How fascinating," she murmured softly.
The noblewoman reclined lazily upon a curved marble seat that floated gently above a shallow pool of crystal clear water. Exotic flowers bloomed all around the garden, their glowing petals reflecting across the surface of the water and casting soft light across the terrace.
Celestine herself was clearly not human. Her skin held a faint pink yellowish glow, smooth with a pale soft lavender hue that caught the light beautifully like a shifting rainbow. Long silver hair flowed down her back in gentle waves, reaching almost her waist.
From the sides of her head extended two elegant horn-like structures that curved slightly to barely meet in the centre and bent backward, a natural feature of her species the Cendrils. Her eyes were perhaps the most striking feature.
Instead of the usual human pupil, her iris shimmered like liquid gold, thin vertical slits at their centre giving her gaze a faintly predatory elegance.
Behind her stood a servant quietly waving a massive emerald leaf fan in slow, rhythmic motions. The broad leaf, taken from one of Seralis' native plants, moved the warm garden air gently across Celestine's shoulders.
A second attendant stood nearby, managing the holographic display still hovering above the pool.
The image of Wein remained slowly rotating in the air.
"The young lord of House Voss has truly been impressive don't you think so my lady," the attendant said.
Celestine lifted a small glass of shimmering nectar to her lips. Her golden eyes never left Wein's eyes.
"A common born baron who fought and won a battle against a viscount. He has a bright future ahead of him."
She smiled softly.
"Of course, he also has turbulence waiting for him . Just as father always said, if there's one thing that nobles hate more than a rising commoner, it is a rising commoner who becomes a lord."
"My lady, what do you plan to do, invest in his future?"
Celestine remained silent as she placed her glass down and stood up.
"I am merely the acting lord of Valmira. Once father recovers, he will deal with it, as the rightful lord should."
The advisor suddenly inclined his head.
"My apologies, my lady."
Celestine walked away, her light blue gown trailing on the floor.
"Mind your tongue next time" she said.
But deep down, she was curious about Wein, having seen him only in broadcast she longed for the day she would meet him in person.
"I should go meet him perhaps he might bring me enjoyment," she whispered.
***
Position unknown, people unidentifiable.
Far from the bright halls of noble palaces and the public eye of imperial broadcasts, the same report played in a much darker room.
The location was unknown.
No windows revealed the stars outside. The chamber itself was dimly lit, the only source of light coming from the holographic display hovering above a circular table.
The image of Wein slowly rotated in the air. Around the table several projected figures surrounded the table. They were hidden with just the outline of their bodies with distortion fields and masked voices.
"So Simon lost" spoke one of the figures. His voice was scrambled impossible to trace or mimic.
A low scoff came from the far end of the table.
"A Viscount forced into a ceasefire by a frontier Baron."
The tone carried clear contempt when another voice spoke calmly.
"Do not underestimate Voss. The reason we formed this group was because Voss has a powerful military."
"No!" interrupted another. "The reason we formed this group is because Voss has public opinion towards them. And attacking them would bring ridicule from the empire as their hero."
"He is right," spoke another. "We were prepared for direct confrontation else we would have supported Ulix."
"Still, Ulix was disappointing. To give up so soon."
"You should be glad, he did not inform about our group."
"Who is to say he did…"
"Enough!" roared a voice redirecting attention to him. "We are going off course, because of the publicity, the war has gained, the empire will be watching Voss even more. We need to be more careful."
"Ulix was supposed to weaken them but now, they will be more wary. They might strengthen their forces and prepare to strike."
"So what is the plan?"
"We need to..."
…
"Do not openly antagonise him, understood," said one of the figures.
"Understood" the group replied.
"Until next meeting…" his figure disappeared and then more and more until the room was empty.
***
Somewhere unknown.
The door to the chamber slid open with a soft hiss, and a tall man stepped out into a dim corridor lit by cold blue panels.
"Tch… what a waste of time" he murmured under his breath. "Stupid Ulix, he had to lose so easily."
He walked a few steps before pausing beside a viewport, the distant stars of the Salven region glowing faintly beyond the glass.
"Voss went after Ulix," he said quietly. "I'm certain. He will come after me next. He must know we are involved. Damnit, I should have never joined Ulix, to risk my house."
He continued moving. As he passed, a crest came into view, the sigil of House Barax, the barony sharing the Salven system with House Ulix and House Voss.