The crown of Oakhaven felt really light on my head. All the nobles kneeling in the Cathedral could feel its weight. The Mass Parish Branding was a success. It was just the beginning. I needed to make it grow by using their fear and secrets.
I sat on the Solar Throne not as a dying prince. As the Regent Sovereign. The King was. Cedric was no use to me now.
"The Coronation is over " I said, my voice. Loud in the silent hall. ". Making Oakhaven pure has only just started. I know about the things you have been doing. I have seen the things in your books. I have heard the secrets you whisper to each other. The Sun did not see your sins. The Void remembers everything."
I looked at Duke Valmont, Seraphina's father. He was sweating, looking at the door. He thought his connection to Seraphina would save him. He did not know that his own daughter was already my most loyal helper.
"Duke Valmont " I called out.
The Duke. Came forward his head down. "Yes Your Majesty?"
"Your family has been in charge of the Northern trade routes for a time.. I know you have been taking 20% of the royal grain and selling it on the Black Market in the Merchant Republic. Is that true?"
The hall became very quiet. Taking grain during a time of need was a crime that could get you killed.
"I-I mean Your Majesty those reports must be wrong!" Valmont said, trying to explain.
I leaned forward a spark in my eyes. "Isabella, bring the book we found in the Dukes study. The one hidden behind the picture of his wife."
Isabella came forward smiling, with a leather book.
"You see, Valmont " I said, my voice. Scary. "I do not need reports. I am the Master of this house.. A Master knows when his servants are stealing from him."
"I will pay it back I will pay it back " Valmont said, falling to his knees. "I will give you quadruple."
"Gold is easy to give Duke," I said, standing up. ". I want something else. I want your loyalty to be part of your familys blood. Tonight you will bring your three nieces to the Moonlight Spire. We need to make sure the Valmont family is loyal to me."
The nobles looked at each other in horror. They knew what the Moonlight Spire was now. It was no longer a hospital it was a place where I got what I wanted.
The Moonlight Spire was different now. It was filled with a deep pulsating light. In the hall the air was thick with the smell of expensive silk and spices mixed with a special mist that made people feel good.
Duke Valmont's nieces stood in the center of the room shivering.
Lira, the oldest was proud and sharp-tongued. Mya, the one was shy and good with numbers. Sophia, the youngest was beautiful. Used to being part of political deals.
"Uncle said the King wanted to talk about taxes " Lira whispered, looking at the statues that lined the walls.
"The King is busy " I said, stepping out from the shadows.
I was not wearing my clothes. I wore a black shirt open at the neck showing the mark of my power. The girls gasped, falling to their knees.
"Your uncle is a thief " I said, walking around them. ". You you are the price he has to pay. Your lives do not belong to House Valmont anymore. They belong to me."
"Please my Lord we did not know about the grain " Sophia said, looking up at me with tears in her eyes.
"Ignorance is not an excuse Sophia " I said, touching her chin. ". Beauty can be useful."
I snapped my fingers and the floor disappeared. The girls fell onto fur-covered platforms. Their clothes melted away showing their skin.
The ritual was not about the body it was about the mind. As they breathed in the smoke their pride disappeared. Lira, who always looked down on others was begging for my touch. Mya, who was good with numbers could not understand the pleasure she was feeling.
I moved between them, cold and calculated. Isabella and Elena helped, guiding the girls into positions that broke their pride. I marked them with a brand, a brand that would make them feel pleasure every time they did a trade deal for me.
Lira was the hardest to break. When I whispered secrets in her ear she gave in.
"Say it " I commanded.
"I am the Sovereign's property " Lira said, her back arching. "House Valmont exists to serve you."
Mya and Sophia said the same their voices broken and submissive.
Hours later the purple light of the Spire started to fade. The girls lay on the furs their skin glowing with the mark of the ritual. They were not the proud girls who had entered the tower. They were now my helpers.
"Get dressed " I said, looking out the window. "Your uncle will be told that you are staying in the palace as my advisors. You will go back to the Valmont estates a week to make sure the gold comes to me."
Lira stood up her movements now. Graceful. She. Kissed my hand. "The gold will come, my King.. Any merchant who speaks against you will be punished."
I felt the connection to the trade routes the lifeblood of the kingdom. Every grain of wheat every bar of iron I could feel it all.
"Isabella," I called out.
"Yes, Master?" she asked.
"The nobles will want to know what happened night. Let them think that the Valmont nieces have seen the Divine Light of the Sovereign. I want every Noble House, in Oakhaven to be scared of being next."