THE GENERAL'S DISGRACED HEIR

Morning light washed across the gleaming spires of Valemir's noble district, painting them in hues of amber and gold. The De Gror townhouse stood among them—not the most ostentatious of the noble residences, but distinguished by its understated elegance and strategic positioning. Unlike the purely ornamental gardens that adorned neighboring estates, the De Gror grounds combined beauty with function, every plant carefully selected for both aesthetic value and practical application.

This pragmatic philosophy extended to the glasshouse nestled at the property's eastern edge—a structure whose elegant architecture concealed its true purpose as a research facility. Inside, rows of exotic plants stretched toward the ceiling in a vertical arrangement that maximized space with mathematical precision. Each specimen was surrounded by faintly glowing runic patterns that regulated temperature, humidity, and magical energy flow.

At the center of this botanical laboratory stood Seraphina, her flowing raven-black dress a stark contrast to the verdant surroundings. Her perfect posture and graceful movements suggested aristocratic breeding, yet the intensity of her gaze as she studied the documents before her revealed a mind that valued substance over ceremony.

Across from her, a middle-aged man named Revan Thorne—his researcher's robes bearing the insignia of the Imperial Agricultural Consortium—shifted uncomfortably beneath her unwavering attention. Between them lay diagrams and formulae of such complexity that they seemed to shimmer with their own internal logic, the calculations flowing across multiple parchments in an elegant dance of mathematical precision.

"This is..." Revan hesitated, clearing his throat. "Extraordinary, Lady Seraphina. Truly unprecedented."

His fingers traced one particularly intricate equation with reverent care, as if touching something sacred. The formula described accelerated growth patterns for the strange cocoa plants, incorporating both conventional alchemical principles and something else—something that made his brow furrow with confusion and growing unease.

"But I must admit, these calculations exceed my comprehension." His admission clearly pained him, professional pride warring with intellectual honesty. "This approach to plant stimulation integrates dimensional theory with organic transmutation in ways I've never encountered."

Seraphina's lips curved into a subtle smile. "David's methods often challenge conventional understanding." She adjusted one of the diagrams, aligning it with a complementary calculation. "But their effectiveness is undeniable."

Revan nodded, rubbing his temple where a headache was beginning to form. "The projected yield increases alone would revolutionize imperial agriculture, not to mention the reduction in maturation time from years to months." His excitement momentarily overcame his confusion. "But I simply cannot implement this without understanding the underlying principles."

He straightened, gathering his courage. "Lady Seraphina, with all due respect, this research should be taken to the Alchemist Guild. Their archives and collective expertise are precisely what's needed to properly develop these theories."

The temperature in the glasshouse seemed to drop several degrees as Seraphina's expression cooled. "That won't be possible, Researcher Thorne." Her tone remained perfectly civil, yet carried an unmistakable note of finality. "These formulae and magical theories constitute proprietary knowledge belonging exclusively to our enterprise."

"But—" Revan began, then faltered under her unblinking gaze.

"The confidentiality agreement you signed was quite explicit," Seraphina continued, one elegant finger tapping the parchment for emphasis. "Any attempt to share this information with outside parties, including the guilds, would constitute a severe breach of contract."

The researcher's shoulders slumped slightly. "I understand the legal constraints, my lady, but you must understand my position. I'm simply incapable of conducting research at this level of complexity. These formulae incorporate magical principles that would require decades of specialized study to master."

He gestured toward a particularly dense cluster of calculations that seemed to fold back upon themselves in impossible ways. "This section alone appears to describe plant cells existing simultaneously in multiple states of maturation—a concept that violates fundamental laws of natural progression."

Seraphina observed his growing frustration with the calm assessment of a chess player watching an opponent realize the inevitability of checkmate. "Your concerns are noted, Researcher Thorne. However, I can assure you that David will return shortly with an alchemist capable of implementing these theories." Her tone softened marginally. "Your role is documentation and observation, not execution."

"But the guild has resources that could accelerate—"

"The guild," Seraphina interjected smoothly, "has political entanglements and conflicting loyalties that make them unsuitable partners for our current endeavors. David was quite specific about maintaining absolute secrecy regarding these methods."

Revan's frustration finally overcame his deference. "Lady Seraphina, I've devoted my career to agricultural advancement. These formulations could transform cultivation practices across the empire, potentially ending food scarcity in the outlying provinces. To withhold such knowledge for proprietary advantage seems—"

He stopped abruptly as Seraphina raised a single finger, the gesture somehow more effective than a shouted interruption.

"I understand your passion, Researcher Thorne." Her voice had grown softer, yet somehow more intense. "But you misunderstand our intentions. David has no interest in monopolizing this knowledge indefinitely. He merely insists on controlling its initial implementation to ensure proper application."

As Revan opened his mouth to continue the argument, Seraphina's attention suddenly shifted. Her gaze focused on something behind him—something that caused her posture to subtly change from casual authority to alert readiness. To an untrained observer, the transition would have been imperceptible, but Revan had spent enough time in noble courts to recognize when a person of power had noticed something requiring immediate attention.

Following her gaze, he saw nothing except the shadowed corner of the glasshouse where morning sunlight created patterns of light and darkness among the hanging plants.

"Researcher Thorne," Seraphina said, her tone pleasantly dismissive, "I believe we've covered everything necessary for today's consultation. Please continue your observations of the existing specimens and document any changes according to the protocols we established."

Revan hesitated, sensing the abrupt shift in priorities but unable to identify its cause. Years of service to noble houses had taught him when further discussion would be unwelcome. He gathered his personal notes with practiced efficiency, leaving the proprietary documents untouched on the table.

"As you wish, Lady Seraphina. I'll return tomorrow with the latest germination statistics." He bowed formally before making his exit, the glasshouse door closing behind him with a soft click.

The moment his footsteps faded, Seraphina's demeanor transformed. "Report," she commanded, not bothering to turn toward the shadowed corner.

The darkness rippled like disturbed water, separating from the wall as Angelica materialized from the shadows. Her shadow suit absorbed ambient light, creating the impression that she existed in a permanent state of dusk regardless of her surroundings. Her short black hair framed a face set in lines of urgent purpose.

"Minister Salomonis has been apprehended," she stated without preamble, her executioner's training evident in the economical precision of her report. "The Sun Brigade intercepted his carriage at the Fifth Bridge as he attempted to leave the capital."

Seraphina's eyes narrowed, her mind immediately calculating implications and consequences. "By whose authority?"

"Death Sun himself led the operation." Angelica's expression darkened at the memory. "Sir Duk Villanties, Commander of the Seventh Sun Brigade. He personally escorted the Minister back toward the palace."

"Damn it," Seraphina hissed, a rare display of frustration breaching her composed exterior. "The timing couldn't be worse."

She moved to the glasshouse window, gazing toward the distant palace spires with calculated assessment. "David needed Salomonis's network once we located the Eye of Ternion. The Minister's diplomatic credentials would have provided access to restricted areas within the Celestial Archives of the spire."

Angelica nodded, having already reached the same conclusion. "The detention significantly complicates our timeline. If the Duke is personally involved—"

"Then someone has connected Salomonis to our operations," Seraphina finished, her mind racing ahead to countermeasures and contingencies. "The question is whether they've made the connection to David yet."

She turned from the window, decision crystallizing into action. Without a word, she extended her arms slightly from her sides. The elegant raven gown that had draped her form moments before began to shift and flow, the fabric itself seeming to liquefy before reforming with new purpose. Within seconds, the fashionable attire had transformed into a formfitting combat suit of midnight material that absorbed light like Angelica's shadow garment.

The transformation revealed more than just a change of clothing—it displayed Seraphina's instant transition from aristocratic manager to field operative. Her posture adjusted subtly, center of gravity lowering, movements becoming more economical and precise. Even her facial expression shifted, the pleasant mask of nobility replaced by focused determination.

"I'll search for David personally," she announced, already moving toward the glass dome's apex where a concealed exit provided direct roof access. "His last known location was the Alchemist Guild in the western district. If he's still there, I'll make contact and brief him on these developments."

"And if he's moved on?" Angelica asked, though her tone suggested she already anticipated the answer.

"Then I'll find him regardless." Seraphina's absolute certainty left no room for doubt. "Meanwhile, gather the others and prepare for potential intervention. If the Minister isn't released within twenty-four hours, we'll need to reassess our approach to the Eye of Ternion objective."

Angelica nodded once, already beginning to meld back into the shadows. "Understood. We will be ready."

As Angelica's form disappeared completely into darkness, Seraphina reached the glasshouse apex. With practiced ease, she manipulated the hidden mechanism that opened the concealed skylight. Morning sunlight streamed through the opening as she prepared to depart.

For a brief moment, she paused, her expression revealing complex emotion beneath her tactical focus. "Find me when you've gathered the others," she instructed the seemingly empty room, knowing Angelica remained present enough to hear. "And Angelica... tell them to bring everything David provided. We may need to accelerate our timeline significantly."

Without waiting for acknowledgment, Seraphina launched herself through the opening, her form momentarily silhouetted against the bright morning sky before disappearing from view. The skylight closed automatically behind her, leaving the glasshouse in silent testimony to the invisible network David had constructed throughout Valemir—a network now mobilizing in response to emerging threats.

In the momentary stillness that followed, the only movement was the subtle stirring of cocoa leaves in the artificial breeze, plants continuing their unnatural growth patterns according to principles that defied conventional understanding—much like the man who had designed them.