August chose practicality over comfort and had dinner served in his office.
"This is going to take hours," he said, catching Klaus's look. "Might as well eat before we start planning your father's downfall."
Horalde, Pritik, Brod, and two men Klaus didn't recognize were already seated at the long table.
August gestured toward them.
"Konor. Former middle-born merchant. And Mastan—village elder. Or he was, until his entire settlement was wiped out for hiding mages during an inspection."
Klaus gave a short nod.
Just as he'd intended, his inner circle now covered every layer of society: mercenaries, slaves, nobility, middle-born, low-born.
Everyone.
"Alright," August said. "Let's hear it."
Klaus didn't start with the plan.
"Before we get into strategy, there's something you need to know," he said calmly. "This concerns my family. It's been hidden for years."
A pause.
"My mother—the former queen—is alive."
The reaction was immediate.
Sharp breaths. Mutters. Disbelief.
No one spoke outright.
So Klaus continued.
He explained everything—how he found out, what he saw, what that estate really was.
When he finished, silence settled over the table.
Horalde spoke first.
"And you intend to reveal this to the high nobles?" he asked carefully. "No offense, but without proof—they won't believe you."
"That's why we take the estate," Klaus said. "Nothing draws attention faster than a fortress being seized—and the truth dragged into the open."
"That's a massive risk," Mastan said. "The king hid it for decades."
"Because no one was looking," Klaus replied, a faint, cold smile forming. "Now they will."
The discussion lasted for hours.
Arguments. Adjustments. Refinements.
In the end, they settled on multiple units.
"One team infiltrates through the passage I found," Klaus said. "I'm leading it. Pritik and Horalde come with me."
"Like hell I'm staying behind," August cut in immediately.
"You're not," Klaus said. "You'll lead the second unit."
August's expression darkened.
"No. After last time? When you barely made it out alive? You think I'm letting you walk into that without me?"
"One of your best fighters will be with me. And Pritik can open a portal," Klaus said evenly. "If it goes bad, we pull out."
"You should be leading the army."
"It'll be more effective if I'm inside when your forces raise the banners outside," Klaus replied. "Confusion will do half the work. You'll take the outer walls with barely any resistance."
"Then let someone else lead the troops."
"No," Klaus said quietly. "You will."
Horalde spoke up.
"If I may—I can command the outer forces. The captain should remain at your side."
Klaus's gaze sharpened.
"I told you not to call me that. Is my name really that difficult?"
Horalde flushed.
"It will take time."
"Then start now," Klaus said. "If we're changing this country, we start with ourselves. No titles. Not here."
"…Understood," Horalde said. Then, more carefully: "Klaus."
A faint nod.
"And your proposal?"
"I'll think about it," Klaus said. "We move in three days."
"Klaus. Stay."
August's voice cut through the room as the others began to leave.
Then, to Egor:
"You can go."
"August," Klaus said, already tired, "whatever it is—we deal with it tomorrow."
"As you wish… Your Majesty."
Klaus rolled his eyes and walked out.
He knew exactly what August wanted.
And he had no intention of dealing with it tonight.
Too many complications.
"Tell me something," Klaus said later, watching Egor unpack their things. "Is this whole love business always this complicated?"
Egor glanced at him.
"…What?"
"You set conditions," Klaus said. "Don't look at me like that—I'm not breaking anything. I just want to understand."
"Understand why I don't want you sleeping with other people?" Egor let out a short laugh. "Klaus, I'm in love with you. Of course I don't want to share you."
He hesitated.
"How would you feel if I—actually, forget it."
Klaus didn't answer right away.
He imagined it.
Egor with Mia.
Kissing her.
Something sharp and ugly twisted inside him—instant, violent.
He shut the thought down.
Then tried again.
August. With Lissa.
Nothing.
Annoyance, maybe.
That was all.
"…I think I get it," Klaus said slowly.
"You do?"
"When I imagined you with Mia," Klaus said calmly, "I wanted to rip her apart. And lock you somewhere no one could reach you."
Egor blinked.
"…That's called jealousy."
A pause.
"Wait—you're jealous of Mia?"
"I know she's in another world," Klaus said. "It was the first thing that came to mind."
He stood.
"Come here. You can finish that tomorrow. I'm tired."
"Then go to sleep."
"I said—come here."
He caught Egor's hand and pulled him down onto the bed.
"Wait, I just need to—"
Klaus shut him up the usual way.
The rest never made it out.