The Almighty Dominance

Three years earlier, Alex was on his knees in the cold marble hall of the Rosenheim mansion, pressed down by a trio of chrome robots and a pale-faced servant.

The light from the chandelier carved hard lines across his face. The machines made no sound but their grips were insistently mechanical.

"Who are you, thief?" Otto Rosenheim barked, stepping forward. "Why are you trespassing on this property?"

Alex kept his chin up. "I'm Alexander Saint-Claire," he said. "Son of Logan Saint- Claire. I believe this property belongs to my family."

Otto let out a short, incredulous laugh. "You say you're the child of Logan Saint- Claire?"

"Yes." Alex's voice didn't waver. "The blood test proved it. The Prussian Government hospital ran it."

With deliberate calm, Alex tapped the three-dimensional bracelet on his wrist and the document bloomed in a pale hologram. He pushed it toward Otto.

Otto's eyes flicked over the projection as if it were a curious insect.

"So you claim the Marquis Saint-Claire's estate," he said slowly, savoring the words. "Interesting."

"Yes." Alex swallowed.

Otto's laugh was sharp and cruel, echoing through the hall like a crack of a whip.

"Maybe if Logan himself rode through that door, we'd hand it all back on a silver platter," he sneered. "But you-" he jabbed a finger at Alex, venom in his tone, “— you're half-blood, aren't you? Xia blood running through your veins."

He took a step closer, eyes burning with disgust.

"Do you even know what that means here? It makes you filth. A servant. A dog born to obey. In Prussia, your kind doesn't own land-you serve the ones who do."

His lip curled in mock pity.

"So tell me, boy, what gives you the right to stand in my house and claim anything as yours?"

Alex's jaw tightened in silence.

Otto circled him like a predator. "Listen, lad. I knew Logan once. We were close- children running over these grounds."

He paused, then smiled with the cruelty of a man offering poison. "I'll make you an offer. Marry my daughter, Katarina Rosenheim. She's the finest match in this house. Marry her, stay here, and we'll let you keep your head-and a roof."

and then at the servant. He read the motion

mechanics

and careful, "you'll give me Katarina

clapped his hands together, the sound sharp and smug. He turned toward the adjoining room, his boots echoing across the marble

through a

men would've

every whisper as clear

voice burst out like breaking glass. "I will

care for them. We

that-thing?" she

he must marry a Prussian woman, live under Prussian law for three years, and receive

what do you want,

years,” he said, voice flat as a blade. "After three full years, Katarina, you'll be legally tied to the Saint-Claire name and the estate becomes yours. After that, we remove him.

servants' quarters, feed him kitchen scraps. He's just come from Xia; he knows nothing of

as she turned toward the door. Then, with the soft rustle of silk, she

said, her voice cold and measured. "Fine. It's

said, satisfied. "Put a smile on your face. Let that fool think he's won

I get the payout when he's gone." Her voice was cold business, the kind that closed deals and

trailed behind her, whispering,

the room and found Alex still on his knees in the hall,

she said, the words

always said no. You-" she laughed softly, cruel and warm at once, "-you're a lucky dog. Live like a dog. I'll

month was simple and savage:

slept in a small, damp room by the garden-a space so lowly even the servants refused to use

his way, bowed when spoken to, and moved through

at a

the servant's gate. The moon

walked down an empty street that smelled of coal and wet

figures stepped out

in unison, their movements sharp and practiced. The oldest spoke,

he said, bowing his head low. "We are the Kingswell-frontline men, from

lifted a hand, a small motion meant to stop the absurdity. "We're on a mission. Don't call me king or