The Doxon family underwent a change.
And the main catalyst of that change was Ivan Doxon who began to try his possible best to convince as many as he could that Arryom's impressive display of strength and capability was nothing more than a fluke. One that had happened because he (Ivan) had let his guard down.
And had not been fully prepared to go in on the offensive.
Well, now his indecisiveness was gone.
He was ready to face his cousin head-on and after bringing together all those Doxon branch families he was sure were still on his side to form a faction that would try its absolute best to bring his cousin's faction to its knees, he formulated a plan.
The plan was fairly simple but at the same time elaborate.
It was to chip away at the support Artyom had. The support in the form of the faction behind him.
So far, the branch families had not actively fought against one another.
They had not even turned their wicked intents on the branch families in Kirill Doxon's faction.
In all honesty, their only plan thus far had been to take away the face of Kirill's faction which was Hal and they had spent a lot of Blue gems on that.
A plan that had ultimately failed.
But now, the metaphoric gloves were coming off.
And it was time to fight bare-knuckled.
It was time to get serious.
It was time to rip apart the families in the opposing faction.
Not rip apart in the sense of killing but in taking away their financial stability.
Taking control of the Doxon family wealth by taking control of the smaller subsidiaries in the form of the financial security in the branch families.
In whatever way possible.
Direct theft.
Financial sabotage.
Hostile takeovers.
Anything that was required would be done.
And once they had stripped them of financial (which usually also resulted in power) advantages, there would be the final face-off between the two opposing cousins to decide once and for all who would be the next Duke of the Doxon Duchy.
It is important to note that the fundamental plans of the two factions, plans that had been proposed by Ivan and Artyom who were mere proxies of Hal, were the same.
Both had the same ideas and had justified it when holding a meeting with those in their faction as the least barbaric mode of takeover.
A systematic attempt that their brash enemies would not see coming.
...
"What the hell is your son planning?" Kirill asked Svetlana as he paced up and down.
It was irksome how that young man could manage to keep things so secretive from the cosmic saint that he was. And almost as mind-boggling as his insane cultivation speed.
The Duchess was relaxed and sipping cultivational wine. There was a twinkle in her eyes as she said,
"Who's to say he's planning anything?"
Kirill turned to face her,
"That sounds exactly like what he said" he told her with furrowed brows.
Svetlana shrugged,
"Well, he IS my son. It stands to reason that we will be alike" she said.
Kirill scoffed,
"Or you just had your senses tuned in and heard him say it" he said.
"Maybe" Svetlana said with a smile and took another sip of wine.
Kirill shook his head,
"Look how easy it was to solve that mystery. Wish I could solve the mystery of your son's head just as easily" he said.
Svetlana sighed,
"It's funny how you can't just take a minute to not search for a conspiracy and simply enjoy the show. At least for now.
For the first time in... Forever, Kohen and Elian are not on the same side.
Hal has managed to do something that I was starting to believe was impossible and the result has been so interesting" she said with a smile.
"I don't know why you're so relaxed. He went for those two first, he could be coming after you and me next" Kirill said.
"I don't know about you, father but Hal was always definitely going to come after me. I almost can't wait for that day to come. The day he stops ignoring his mother and realizes I have feelings too. Feelings he is hurting.
I mean he was in the palace and didn't even think to visit me. "
Svetlana said with a shake of her head.
Kirill sighed,
"There you go again being all melodramatic" he said to which the Duchess laughed,
"Now you know how you sound pacing around and looking worried for what I believe is no reason" she said and other than frowning, Kirill had no retort.
Svetlana then added,
"But I guess I can see how you would be so bent out of shape when your grand, mysterious plans to control my son like you never could control me looks to be on a fast track towards failure."
Kirill smiled slyly,
"I'm not trying to control him... But if I were, I would expect you would be supportive and not so negative. You have a gem in hand and not just one to parade about the Duchy but one to bring the Doxon prestige to what it once was;
Independent.
Don't tell me you don't want that" he said with a sagely pose and tone.
Rather than reply him though, Svetlana poured herself another goblet of wine and proceeded to drink in silence.
Silence that Kirill took as signs that she was mulling over his words.
And on some level, maybe she was.
...
Sensual Palace...
Meanwhile, the one who was to blame for the discord that split a faction into two was lying on an expensive sofa with his head on Emily's lap while she stroked his hair.
Hal's eyes were closed as he looked to be indulging in the serenity of the surroundings.
Of course, the serenity is not to be mistaken as quiet as right outside the lounge, in the courtyard of Emily's residence, there were duels going on.
Karmen was sparring with Marla.
Both their appetites for battle made them even more indulged in the act.
Rita, Lillian, and Olivia were having a three-way duel with Rita showing the two Blood Knights that a member of the inner circle of ladies was one to be respected.
Respect the Blood knights were happy to show by fighting with immense intensity and a drive to win.
Such that, what should have been a three-way duel now became more of a two on one battle.
Rita was not complaining.
Thanks to Hal she was close to an advancement into the Early stage of the Cosmic aurora realm and while Hal felt there was no real correlation between her cultivation speed and the number of battles she fought since her cultivation technique was not a battle-type like that of the Blood knights, she insisted fighting helped her focus and aided in advancement.
Anyways, the last one present in the courtyard was Sassy.
Having taken to Hal's idea of her dressing like ladies in the Doxon Duchy do, she was clothed scantily which she claimed was 'bearable' as she practiced with the daggers that once belonged to the Assassin nicknamed Dee.
The sounds of spars and clanging of connecting weapons were not disturbing to Hal who felt it helped calm him even further.
Kind of like how ocean sounds in the background could help a person sleep better.
"So, you never said" Hal said suddenly and Emily raised a brow,
"Never said what?" She asked.
"How much you missed me. You've been so strong trying to keep it off your face. I felt it would be rude for me not to prompt you to speak about it" he said with a chuckle.
Emily smiled,
"I did miss you. And I have been trying hard to keep it off my face. It's been nearly three months after all.
During which time, you've been to war, been to a sect filled with women, and then survived an assassination while simultaneously passing an exam.
Clearly, you've been having a lot of fun without a second look back"
Hal opened one eye,
"You consider almost getting killed 'fun'?" He asked.
Emily shrugged,
"Wasn't it?"
Hal paused then closed his eye again as he chuckled and said,
"Yes, yes it kinda was"
Emily nodded,
"And you did a lot of that with Melinda by your side. You always have someone with you. And I am left to await your return."
In a way, she was exaggerating as she and Hal could communicate telepathically through the contract she had signed with him, and in a way, she was being quite accurate with her feelings towards being left behind while Hal went about gallivanting.
She let a silence permeate the room before she said with a brighter tone,
"On a much brighter note, had you come to the Doxon Duchy a day later than you did, you probably would not have met me here"
Now both Hal's eyes opened,
"Why not?" He asked.
Emily shrugged,
"Oh, nothing much. I would just have gone to a distant corner of the Doxon Duchy to raid a tomb"
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