Chapter : 695

“These components,” Lloyd continued, “are primarily sourced from a single, neutral territory. I believe a diplomatic and commercial visit is in order. I wish to request your official blessing, and ducal sponsorship, for a journey to the Kingdom of Zakaria.”

Roy leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepling before him. His eyes never left Lloyd’s face. He was not listening to the words; he was analyzing the intent behind them. He knew, with absolute certainty, that this was not about essential oils. But he also knew that his son was no longer a foolish boy who acted on whims. His recent successes—commercial, political, and martial—had proven that. Lloyd moved with purpose now, his actions part of a larger, unseen strategy.

“Zakaria,” Roy said, the name a flat, neutral statement. “A kingdom of merchants and contracts. A viper’s nest of shifting allegiances and quiet betrayals, all hidden behind a veneer of polite neutrality. It is not a place for the naive.”

“I am aware of its reputation, Father,” Lloyd said calmly. “Which is why I would be traveling as a representative of our house, to establish formal trade relations. It would be a valuable opportunity to gauge the political climate and build new alliances.”

For a long moment, Roy was silent. The gears of his own strategic mind were turning, weighing the risks and rewards. A direct connection to the heart of the continent’s commerce was a valuable prize. It would give them access to new markets, new resources, and, most importantly, new streams of intelligence. The potential benefits were significant. The risks, however, were equally so.

Finally, the Arch Duke gave a single, sharp nod. “The strategic value is undeniable. You have my blessing to undertake this journey. You will travel with the full authority of a Ducal Emissary. We will provide you with the necessary funds and credentials.”

Lloyd felt a surge of relief. The first hurdle was cleared. “Thank you, Father.”

“However,” Roy added, his voice hardening, his gaze becoming as sharp as a blade, “I have one non-negotiable condition.”

Lloyd waited, knowing what was coming.

“You will not travel alone. The recent attempts on your life, both here and at the Academy, have proven that our enemies are growing bolder. You are the heir to this Duchy. Your life is not your own to gamble with. You will be accompanied by a full security detail. And Ken Park will not leave your side for a single moment. That is not a request, Lloyd. It is a command.”

Lloyd met his father’s unyielding gaze. There was no room for argument. And in truth, he felt no desire to argue. The thought of having Ken’s silent, deadly competence at his back in the uncertain territory of Zakaria was not a burden; it was a profound comfort. And the idea of having Ken present when he met his "certain fate" was the best insurance policy he could ask for.

“Of course, Father,” Lloyd replied, offering a respectful bow of acquiescence. “I would have it no other way.”

The deal was struck. The blessing was given. The shadow was assigned. The journey to Zakaria was now officially underway.

The conversation with his father had been a clean, efficient piece of political theatre, and Lloyd had played his part to perfection. He left the Arch Duke’s study with a sense of grim satisfaction. He had his official sanction, his funding, and his shadow. The path to Zakaria was now clear of all internal obstacles. His focus, however, immediately shifted to the next critical step: ensuring the stability of the empire he was leaving behind.

His ventures—AURA, Radiance, and the colossal undertaking of Project Brine—were no longer small, boutique operations. They were becoming pillars of the Ferrum economy, complex machines with hundreds of moving parts. To leave them rudderless, even for a few weeks, would be an act of gross negligence. He needed a regent, a second-in-command with the authority, the intelligence, and the unwavering loyalty to manage his affairs in his absence.

There was only one candidate.

He sent a summons, and within the hour, the core members of his leadership team were assembled once more in the now-infamous manufactory study. The atmosphere was different this time. The raw, open wound of Pia’s death had begun to scar over, replaced by a quiet, shared resolve. The grief was still there, a solemn ghost in the corner of the room, but it was no longer the all-consuming presence it had been. It was now a motivator, a reminder of the stakes.

Chapter : 696

Mei Jing, Tisha, Jasmin, and Lyra took their seats around the council table. Lloyd noted their expressions. Mei Jing’s was sharp and analytical as ever, but with a new, harder edge. Tisha’s smile was still present, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes, which now held a wary, watchful intelligence. Jasmin’s quiet demeanor was unchanged, but there was a new steel in her spine. Lyra, the stoic logistician, seemed to be the least affected on the surface, but Lloyd could see the way her hands methodically organized the reports before her, a search for order in a world that had proven to be chaotic and dangerous. They had all been changed by the recent events. They had been forged.

Lloyd stood before them, not as a general this time, but as their lord and leader, his tone serious but not cold.

“I have called you here to inform you of my imminent departure,” he began, without preamble. “On the authority of the Arch Duke, I will be undertaking a diplomatic and commercial mission to the Kingdom of Zakaria. I expect to be gone for several weeks, perhaps longer.”

A flicker of surprise and concern passed between them. His sudden absence, especially after the recent crisis, was unexpected.

“My journey is of critical importance to the long-term strategic interests of our house,” he continued, offering them a partial truth. “I will be sourcing new materials and establishing trade routes that will be vital for the next phase of our expansion. However, my absence creates a power vacuum. Our operations are too large, too complex, to be left without a single, decisive authority at their head. Therefore, I am making a formal appointment.”

He let his gaze sweep across the table, but it came to rest, as he had always known it would, on Mei Jing.

“Mei Jing,” he said, his voice clear and formal. “For the duration of my absence, I am placing you in command. You will have full operational authority over all of my ventures. The AURA brand, the Radiance project, and the initial development of Project Brine. You will be my acting regent. Your word will be my word. You will have the full backing of my authority and, by extension, the authority of the Arch Duke himself.”

The air in the room went still. It was a staggering delegation of power. He was not just giving her a temporary promotion; he was handing her the keys to his entire commercial empire. He was placing a level of trust in her that was almost unheard of, especially after the recent betrayal.

Mei Jing’s composure, for the first time since Lloyd had met her, completely shattered. Her mouth fell open slightly, her sharp, intelligent eyes wide with a mixture of shock, disbelief, and a dawning, overwhelming sense of honor. She had spent her life fighting for a seat at the table, a woman of sharp intellect in a world that often valued bloodlines over brains. She had proven her worth, had earned his respect, but this… this was something else entirely. This was a statement of absolute, unconditional faith in her abilities.

Tisha and the others looked at Mei Jing, not with envy, but with a clear, shared sense of approval. They all recognized her brilliance, her tireless work ethic, her unwavering dedication. If anyone was to lead them in their lord’s absence, it could only be her. The decision was not just logical; it was right.

“My… my lord,” Mei Jing stammered, recovering her voice, though it was a little shaky. “I… I am honored. I will not fail you.”

“I know you won’t,” Lloyd said simply, the two words carrying the weight of his absolute conviction. “You have the sharpest commercial mind in this duchy. Our empire is safe in your hands.”

He then turned to the others. “You will give Mei Jing the same loyalty and support you have given me. We are a team. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. After what happened to Pia, we have no room for weakness. We must trust one another, protect one another.”

A somber mood fell over the room at the mention of Pia’s name. The ghost had returned. It was Mei Jing who addressed it. She took a deep breath, her composure returning, her expression now one of fierce, protective resolve.

“My lord, on that matter,” she said, her voice firm. “Pia’s death… it revealed a vulnerability in our structure. We have grown quickly, and we are all stretched thin. We relied on Pia for many things, and her… departure… has left a void. A dangerous one. We need more people. But we cannot risk bringing in another unknown element. Not now.”

Lloyd nodded gravely. “I agree. But what is your solution?”