Darian's grip on the pages tightened.
He turned the page, scanning for details about the present political structure.
>The Kingdom of Ashthorn, though ruled by an emperor, is not without its internal conflicts. The power struggles among the noble houses continue to threaten stability, with factions forming in opposition to the throne.
The Three Major Factions in Ashthorn
1. The Royalists – Loyal to the Valcroix Dynasty, this faction consists of generals, military commanders, and old noble families who support absolute rule. They believe in maintaining the monarchy's full power, fearing that any concessions to the nobility will weaken the empire.
2. The Noble Houses – These powerful families, including House Reinhardt, seek to limit the Emperor's authority by forming a ruling council. They advocate for a more decentralized system, where nobles would have greater control over their own regions.
3. The Arcane Order – A mysterious group of magic users who have served the crown for centuries. Some remain loyal, while others operate in the shadows, pursuing their own agendas. Their influence within Ashthorn's political landscape is unpredictable.
As he pondered his next steps, a voice suddenly interrupted his thoughts.
"I never thought I'd see you in a library, Your Highness."
Darian snapped his head toward the entrance. Standing there was a young woman in a noble dress, her arms crossed, an amused smirk playing on her lips.
Her long silver hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her sharp violet eyes studied him with suspicion.
"Who is she?"
Darian searched his fragmented memories but found nothing.
"And you are?" he asked cautiously.
The woman raised an eyebrow. "You truly don't remember me? I suppose I shouldn't be surprised."
She walked closer, her gaze lingering on the book he was reading.
"Diving into history, are we? A bit late for that, don't you think?"
Darian kept his expression unreadable. "Better late than never."
She chuckled. "Fair enough. I'll humor you then. My name is Celia Reinhardt."
Darian's fingers tensed against the pages.
"Reinhardt… The same family name as the Duke Reinhart"
Celia tilted her head. "You look like you've seen a ghost, Your Highness. Or… perhaps a reminder of something unpleasant?"
Darian forced a casual smirk. "Oh no, just surprised. After all, I had no idea the noble daughter of House Reinhardt was so interested in my affairs."
Celia's smirk didn't waver. "Oh, I've been interested in your affairs for quite some time, Your Highness. And trust me…" Her voice dipped into something almost threatening. "I intend to keep watching."
Darian clenched his jaw, his mind racing.
"I need to figure out who my allies and enemies are. Fast."
With a polite smile, he gestured to the bookshelf. "In that case, I hope you enjoy the show."
Celia chuckled, turning on her heel. "Oh, I will. I most certainly will."
And with that, she left.
Darian exhaled slowly. He had a lot more to uncover, but one thing was certain—
His past self had enemies. And they were still watching.