The sun had barely set when a cloaked figure slipped into Duskwatch, moving through the streets with the practiced ease of a professional.

  His name wasn’t important.

  What mattered was that he was one of Countess Amelia’s best.

  Disguises, silent movement, infiltration—he had mastered them all.

  And yet, as he moved through Duskwatch’s streets, he found himself utterly baffled.

  This was supposed to be a ruined county, a failing backwater.

  Instead, he saw a thriving town.

  The markets bustled, traders openly exchanged goods without oversight, and armed citizens patrolled without the need for a standing guard force.

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  He had seen lawless anarchy before. This was not that.

  This was… functioning.

  "Strange," he muttered under his breath.

  Still, he had a mission.

  Slipping between alleyways, he made his way toward the town hall. If Lord Veilwood was as incompetent as rumors claimed, there would be evidence somewhere.

  Lucian was midway through a lazy game of cards with Dorian whn Elaine burst into the room.

  "My lord! We’ve apprehended a suspicious figure sneaking around the records room!"

  Lucian sighed, setting his cards down. "Great. Another one. Just bring him here."

  Minutes later, a hooded man was shoved forward by the guards. He straightened, eyes darting, calculating his next move.

  Elaine crossed her arms. "He refuses to speak."

  Lucian yawned. "Fine. Just throw him out."

  The spy’s eyes widened. "Wait… you’re not going to interrogate me?"

  Lucian rubbed his temples. "Too much effort. If you want to spy, go ahead. Just make sure to report accurately. I hate misinformation."

  The room fell silent.

  The room fell silent. Dorian paled. Elaine stared. The spy swallowed hard. "…Understood, my lord."

  Moments later, he left, convinced he had just met the most dangerous man in the empire.