"What?"

Lyra’s confusion was clear. Her face was contorted not just from the fact, she had written so much already but the sudden change of mind.

"The demand they’ll expect. The one that makes them afraid." Auryn spoke out, his eyes trailing both of them.

His gaze was cold, clear and very much intentional. His voice was no different while he spoke.

"Write this. I demand Lord Castor’s head. His wife’s. His children. The entire bloodline ends for this treason."

Silence crashed into the room as he finished speaking.

Lyra’s face went pale. "Auryn?" Her voice was soft and defeated.

"Write it." He commanded.

"Those are children—"

"They’re leverage." His tone didn’t waver. "And I need them to understand I’m serious."

"But we agreed territory " Her voice was strained and yet defiant.

"We did. And that’s what I’ll accept when negotiations starts and eventually conclude."

He met her eyes, extremely sure of this plan and approach.

He continued speaking hoping to break through the glacier of shock that captured Lyra’s countenance.

" I can’t start with territory. If I ask for those first, they’ll think I’m being reasonable and letting this go." He paused---- " They’ll think me weak"

He took a slow breathe. "I need them afraid first. Need the council to see I’m willing to go further than their expectations."

"Then when I ’settle’ for territory and gold... It looks like mercy. Like I’m being the reasonable one. The understanding prince who puts the empire first"

Understanding dawned in her eyes amidst Horror at how much he’d changed.

"That’s..." She swallowed. "That’s manipulative."

"That’s politics dear." He retorted.

Borin stayed quiet. Watching. His expression unreadable. His thoughts somehow contained between those glowing eyes.

Lyra stared at the parchment. At her own elegant handwriting. Then at Auryn.

"You’re not actually going to kill the children right?"

It wasn’t only a question but a statement. A test of his conscience.

Auryn held her gaze. He didn’t want to build too much expectation from her after all she said she wanted to see the real him.

"I’m going to do whatever I need to do."

He didn’t flinch and one could easily see the determination.

"---And so are you." He finished.

She held his eyes for a moment. Her expression shifted from fear and shock to respect and confusion mixed together.

She looked back at the parchment with resignation and yet dutifully. Dipped the quill and began writing.

"For Castor’s crimes, I demand the following.

"The head of Lord Castor himself , The head of Lady Eva, his wife. The heads of his three children. Daren, Claudia and Cara Valir. The entire bloodline must be extinguished. That’s the price for his treason."

Her hand trembled slightly. But her words were steady and carried the weight they required. When finished, she set the quill down.

She didn’t look at him. Muttering in a low turn but enough he could hear.

"This will terrify them."

"Good." Auryn moved to the desk, somewhat excitedly, he read the letter and smirked at the detailed work.

"Splendid work " He remarked. It was definitely a wise choice to add her to his council.

He pulled red wax from a drawer compartment of the desk. Heated it slightly as his fingers burned with pale yellow flames.

He pressed his signet ring into the seal. A roaring dragon crest. His family’s mark.His mark of authorityas prince of the empire.

It was now official and undeniable.He handed the letter over to Borin.

"You have it right?"

The dwarf who had been silent. Received the letter and nodded before speaking.

"Yes my lord but you know the threats you make, you have to be willing to carry out."

His voice was measured and intentional. "The council might call your bluff. What happens then?"

Auryn met his eyes. His expression changed, a tad darker. "Then I prove I wasn’t bluffing."

Borin held his gaze for a while. The letter in hand. His lips slightly parted.

"Your father used to say cruelty as a tactic only works if the enemy believes you’re capable."

"I am capable." Auryn answered without flinching. He didn’t know if he was lying to himself or not but he knew and hoped he wouldn’t be pushed that far.

"I know." Borin’s expression remained the same.

"That’s what worries me." Borin finished as he left the room to the upper floors of the castle.

At the top, he pulled a small whistle upon arrival. It was an enchanted dragon bone and blew hard into it and waited.

The sound was barely audible but he waited. About ten seconds later.

A sharp screech came from the sky, a bird-like creature descended. It had crimson feathers like living flame. Eyes dark as the night. Wings spanning six feet.

It was a Dyvren. A rare phoenix kin, specifically bred for urgent messages between dragon nobility.

It landed on the dwarf’s outstretched hand.

He attached the sealed letter to its leg with a secured leather strap.

"To the capital. To first Prince Draelor. And second prince Vaedon"

The bird screeched once in acknowledgment. Stretched its wings to full span.

Then launched upwards. One powerful stroke of it’s wings and it was gone but amidst it’s travel it’s fiery form splitted into three.

A blur of crimson against the afternoon sky. It was as fast as a dragon and would reach it’s destinations in only a few hours.

Borin returned. His eyes were now on Lyra and Auryn.

"It’s done?" Auryn’s voice was quiet and expectant.

"Yes my lord. They’ll respond by evening. Summons will come and then we can travel at dawn."

Lyra looked up. "What happens when they read that?" She still believed Auryn was too harsh and probably unreasonable though it was only a plan.

"They panic. They argue. They realize I’m not the weak third prince anymore."

"And then?"

"Then they summon us. And negotiations begin." His hand rested softly on her shoulders with unspoken comfort like he was saying. Just trust me.

He smiled inwardly.

Letter sent. Demands made. I just declared war without drawing a sword.

A/N

You’ve known Julien/Auryn for over 30+ Chapters now. I’m genuinely curious... Do you guys think he can go through with the Bluff.

Drop your comments. I really want to know what you guys think.

As always thanks for Supporting and keep supporting. I need to know you guys are enjoying this.

Also as the title of the Chapters say.. You can make demands of what you wanna see and how this can be better... I read through everything.

--- Null_Existence