New Beginnings

The morning light filtered through the tall, arched windows of Castle Aurelian, casting a warm glow across Edward's chambers. He stood by the window, gazing out over the vast expanse of his territory. The events of the past few days had been a whirlwind of challenges, but they had also opened a door—a door to the future he was determined to shape with the knowledge he carried from his past life.

The urgent matters from my past life have now been addressed, Edward thought to himself. The looting attacks, the royal envoy, and the precarious situation with the Viscount—all have been handled. Now that those crises are behind me, I can finally start putting my past life's knowledge to good use. My first priority is to stabilize this territory and grow my power. There's much to be done, but the path forward is clearer now.

He reflected on the upcoming events that would soon unfold in the South. The attempted assassination of the top merchant, he mused. She was not just any merchant—she was the top merchant in the kingdom, and her influence extended even into the Mongolysia Empire. Her story was a complex one, rooted in betrayal and revenge.

This woman, the Lady Seraphina of House Ashford, was born to a noble family whose power had been slowly waning over the years. Her mother, Countess Morganna, had seen Seraphina's growing influence as a threat to her own control and had attempted to assassinate her, hoping to maintain her grip on the family's fortunes. But Seraphina had fought back, escaping the assassination attempt and using her wits to establish a powerful merchant group. Over time, her influence grew, and she orchestrated the downfall of House Ashford, leaving it in ruins. Disillusioned with the kingdom's politics, she eventually moved her operations to the Mongolysia Empire, where she continued to thrive, becoming one of the top five merchants in the entire empire.

Edward knew that this woman could be an invaluable ally—or a formidable enemy. If he could prevent the assassination and gain her loyalty, he would have access to vast resources and networks that could bolster his own power. But before any of that could happen, he needed to strengthen his own position. And that meant building something that had been sorely lacking in his territory: an intelligence agency.

The Viscount's ease in gathering information about my territory was a clear sign of how exposed we are, Edward thought, his brow furrowing. I've been so focused on immediate threats that I've neglected the more subtle dangers—information leaks, espionage, and the need for intelligence gathering. If I'm to stay ahead of my enemies, I need eyes and ears across the kingdom, and I need someone trustworthy to lead this effort.

His thoughts drifted to Elara. Over the past few weeks, he had spent more time with her, and it had become increasingly clear that she was no ordinary maid. She had been educated by his father, the Old Duke, and her quick mind and resourcefulness had not gone unnoticed by Edward. In fact, he had come to realize that she was far more capable than most would give her credit for in this era—a time when women were often overlooked in matters of governance and strategy.

Edward turned away from the window, his decision made. He walked towards his office, where Elara was already waiting, meticulously organizing papers and documents. She looked up as he entered, her eyes filled with a quiet determination that only confirmed his choice.

"Elara," Edward began, his tone measured yet firm, "I have something important to discuss with you."

She looked at him curiously, pausing in her work. "Of course, my lord. What is it?"

Edward sat down at his desk, leaning forward slightly as he spoke. "I've been thinking about the future of this territory—about what we need to ensure its stability and growth. There's one area where we're particularly vulnerable, and that's in intelligence. We need an agency that can gather information, protect our secrets, and keep us informed of any threats before they reach us."

Elara listened intently; her expression serious. She had never heard Edward speak so openly about the vulnerabilities of his dukedom. "I understand, my lord. But what does this have to do with me?"

Edward met her gaze, his voice steady. "I want you to lead this agency, Elara. You're one of the most capable people I know, and I trust you completely. You've proven time and again that you're more than just a maid—you're a strategist, a thinker, and someone who understands the complexities of our world. Will you take on this responsibility?"

For a moment, there was only silence. Elara stared at Edward in shock, unable to fully process what he had just said. In this era, the idea of a woman—let alone a commoner—being entrusted with such a crucial role was almost unheard of. The weight of the offer, the trust Edward was placing in her, left her momentarily speechless.

"My lord…" she finally managed to say, her voice trembling slightly. "Are you certain? This is no small task. I… I've never even considered…"

Edward stood up and walked around the desk, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "I know what I'm asking, Elara. And I wouldn't ask if I didn't believe you were the right person for the job. You've seen how this world works, how power is wielded. You've been educated in ways most people can't even imagine. You're more than capable. And I need someone I can trust with this—someone who has the best interests of this territory at heart."

Elara felt a surge of emotion—loyalty, gratitude, and a fierce determination to prove herself worthy of this trust. She dropped to one knee, bowing her head before Edward. "I swear to you, my lord, I will serve you with all my heart and soul. I will be loyal to you until my dying breath. If you believe I can do this, then I will do everything in my power to succeed."

Edward looked down at her, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "Rise, Elara. There's much to be done, and we'll need to work together to build this agency from the ground up. But I have no doubt that with you leading it, we'll be prepared for whatever challenges come our way."

Elara stood, her heart pounding with a mix of nerves and excitement. This was a new chapter in her life—one she had never imagined, but one she was ready to embrace. As she looked at Edward, she knew that this was just the beginning. Together, they would reshape the future of the Grafton territory, and no one would see them coming.

Edward could see the resolve in her eyes, and he knew he had made the right choice. But there was still much to do, and there was no time to waste. "Elara," he began, "your first task as the head of this new agency is to find out everything there is to know about Lady Seraphina of House Ashford. I need to know where she is right now, what her current operations are, and most importantly, when the assassination attempt is likely to occur. I want a full report on her background, her connections, and the status of her noble house. We need to understand the threats and opportunities she represents."

Elara nodded, her mind already racing with the possibilities. "I'll begin immediately, my lord. I'll gather every piece of information I can find and report back to you as soon as possible."

As she turned to leave, a thought crossed her mind—a doubt, a question that she dared not voice. How does he know about this assassination? How can he be so certain of events that have not yet occurred? It was almost as if Edward were a prophet, seeing the future with a clarity that defied explanation. But she was a dutiful maid, and now his subordinate in this new venture. She knew better than to question him openly. Instead, she pushed the doubt aside, focusing on the task at hand.

Edward watched her go, confident that she would succeed. Elara was sharp and resourceful, and he had no doubt that she would uncover the information they needed. As he sat back down at his desk, he allowed himself a moment of reflection. This is just the beginning, he thought. With Elara by my side, we'll build something that will ensure the survival and prosperity of House Grafton. And with the knowledge of my past life, we'll be ready for whatever challenges lie ahead.

The future was uncertain, but for the first time since his return, Edward felt a sense of control—a sense that he could shape the events to come rather than simply react to them. With his new intelligence agency in place, and Elara leading the charge, he would be ready to face the challenges that lay ahead. The game had begun, and Edward was determined to win.