The Price of Silence
1568 Words
By noon, Viktoria had made one decision.
No one was going to know what she had discovered.
Not the council.
Not Marcus.
Not even the people closest to her.
The list of payments remained locked inside her private safe, while Alexander was given one instruction.
“Find out everything about the Council Treasurer.”
Alexander nodded.
“Without alerting him?”
“Especially without alerting him.”
He understood immediately.
The moment the council discovered that Viktoria was investigating one of their own, the evidence would disappear.
And whoever had been making those payments would know she was getting close.
Alexander turned to leave, but Viktoria stopped him.
“Alexander.”
He looked back.
“Don't trust anyone who suddenly offers to help.”
His expression became serious.
“I won't.”
After he left, Viktoria remained alone in her office.
She looked at the map of the Draven Empire hanging on the wall.
Four years ago, that map had been divided in front of her.
One half had been given to her.
The other had gone to Marcus.
At the time, the council had called it a temporary solution.
A decision made because she was too young.
But four years had passed.
Her territory had grown.
Her influence had grown.
And still, the empire remained divided.
Now she understood why.
Someone had made sure it stayed that way.
A knock interrupted her thoughts.
“Come in.”
Elias entered.
Viktoria looked at him.
“You're becoming comfortable here.”
“I was invited.”
“Don't get too comfortable.”
A faint smile appeared on his face.
“I wasn't planning to.”
He walked toward the desk.
“I heard your council has requested another meeting.”
Viktoria's expression changed.
“When?”
“Tomorrow morning.”
“And how did you hear that before I did?”
“The Wells family has people who listen.”
She stared at him.
“Then listen carefully.”
Elias raised an eyebrow.
“What?”
“I don't want the Wells family spying inside my territory.”
“I wasn't spying on you.”
“You were still listening.”
“Yes.”
“At least you're honest.”
“I told you. I don't see the point in pretending.”
Viktoria folded her arms.
“Why are you here?”
“To warn you.”
“About?”
“The council.”
She waited.
Elias placed a document on the desk.
“Marcus has been meeting with several council members.”
Viktoria didn't touch the document.
“I know.”
His eyes narrowed slightly.
“You already knew?”
“I know enough.”
Elias studied her for a moment.
“You found something.”
“That isn't your concern.”
“It becomes my concern if it affects the agreement between us.”
Viktoria finally picked up the document.
“You're very interested in this marriage.”
“I am.”
“Because of the Wells family?”
“Partly.”
“And the other part?”
Elias paused.
“The empire.”
She looked at him.
“You actually believe you can help me reunite it.”
“I don't believe it.”
His voice was calm.
“I know I can.”
Viktoria almost laughed.
“That confident?”
“Prepared.”
She placed the document down.
“Then tell me something.”
Elias waited.
“If Marcus refuses to give up his territory, how exactly do you intend to help me take it?”
“I'm not going to help you take it.”
Viktoria's eyes sharpened.
“Then what are you offering?”
“Leverage.”
She remained silent.
Elias continued.
“Marcus has spent four years convincing everyone that you are the problem. The council believes the division protects the empire. Some of them profit from it. If you attack Marcus directly, they'll stand behind him.”
“And if I don't?”
“Then they have to choose.”
“Choose what?”
“Whether they want the empire united or whether they want to keep benefiting from its division.”
Viktoria leaned back.
“And you think they will choose the empire?”
“No.”
His answer came quickly.
“I think they'll choose themselves.”
That answer stayed with her.
Before she could respond, the door opened.
Alexander entered.
He looked directly at Viktoria.
“We found something.”
Viktoria stood.
“What?”
Alexander placed another file on the desk.
“The Council Treasurer has been transferring money through three companies.”
“Marcus's?”
“One belongs to Marcus. The other two belong to people we've never connected to him before.”
Viktoria opened the file.
“Names.”
Alexander pointed to the documents.
“These companies were registered shortly before the empire was divided.”
Elias stepped closer.
“Who owns them?”
Alexander hesitated.
“We don't know.”
Viktoria looked up.
“Then find out.”
“We're trying.”
“No.”
Her voice was firm.
“Don't try. Find out.”
Alexander nodded.
“I will.”
He turned to leave.
“Alexander.”
He stopped.
“Does the council know we're investigating?”
“No.”
“Good.”
Once he left, Elias looked at Viktoria.
“You don't trust your own council.”
“I trust individuals.”
“Not the institution?”
“Not anymore.”
Elias nodded.
“That may be wise.”
Viktoria closed the file.
“Tomorrow's meeting.”
“They'll try to pressure you.”
“Let them.”
“They may question the marriage.”
“They already have.”
“They may demand you cancel it.”
Viktoria looked at him.
“Then they'll hear my answer.”
Elias watched her carefully.
“And what is your answer?”
“No.”
A small smile crossed his face.
“You've already decided.”
“I don't make decisions twice.”
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Elias's expression became serious.
“There is something else.”
Viktoria waited.
“Someone from Marcus's territory approached one of my family's representatives tonight.”
“What did they want?”
“They wanted to know whether the Wells family was truly committed to the marriage.”
Viktoria's eyes narrowed.
“And what did your representative say?”
“That we were.”
“Good.”
Elias looked at her.
“They also asked whether you knew about the old agreement.”
Viktoria went still.
“The old Draven-Wells agreement?”
“Yes.”
“Who asked?”
“I don't know.”
She thought for a moment.
Someone knew about the agreement.
Someone knew about the marriage.
And someone was now trying to determine how much Viktoria and Elias knew.
The questions were getting closer.
Viktoria walked toward the window.
“Elias.”
“Yes?”
“Do you remember anything about my grandfather's dealings with your family?”
He was quiet for a moment.
“Not directly.”
“But your family knows something.”
“Yes.”
“What?”
“My father won't tell me everything.”
Viktoria turned.
“Why?”
“Because some things were never meant to be discussed outside the family.”
She stared at him.
“Convenient.”
“I didn't say I agreed with it.”
“Then find out.”
Elias held her gaze.
“I will.”
A silence followed.
Then he added, “But if you're asking because you believe your grandfather knew more about our families than he told you…”
“I do.”
Elias nodded slowly.
“Then I think you're right.”
Viktoria's expression hardened.
Before she could ask another question, a guard rushed into the room.
“Lady Viktoria.”
She turned sharply.
“What happened?”
“There's been an incident at the eastern border.”
Alexander entered behind him.
“What kind of incident?”
The guard swallowed.
“Several of Marcus's men crossed into your territory.”
Viktoria's eyes narrowed.
“Why?”
“They destroyed two supply vehicles and left a message.”
“What message?”
The guard handed her a piece of paper.
Viktoria unfolded it.
There were only six words.
Leave the other half alone.
She read it once.
Then again.
Elias looked at the message.
“They're testing you.”
“No.”
Viktoria folded the paper.
“They're warning me.”
Alexander looked at her.
“What are you going to do?”
Viktoria walked to the table and picked up the map of the empire.
Her finger rested over Marcus's territory.
For four years, she had waited.
She had built her side.
Strengthened it.
Protected it.
She had tried diplomacy.
She had tried patience.
But Marcus had just crossed the line.
Viktoria looked at Alexander.
“Double security at the eastern border.”
“Yes.”
“Don't cross into Marcus's territory.”
Alexander nodded.
“And Marcus?”
Viktoria's eyes remained fixed on the map.
“Send him a message.”
“What should it say?”
She looked up.
“Tell him I received his warning.”
Alexander waited.
“And?”
Viktoria's voice was calm.
“Tell him he should have chosen better words.”
Outside, thunder rolled across the sky.
The war Marcus had promised was no longer coming.
It had already begun.
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