If you want to execute a covert, highly classified operation in the Warlord estate, you do not do it during the day. You do it at three in the morning, when the Sovereign is fast asleep.
The armory was lit by a single, glowing blue crystal. Standing around a heavy oak table were the four most dangerous men on the continent.
Caspian, King of the Deep, stood at the head of the table. He unrolled a massive, incredibly detailed architectural blueprint, smoothing the edges flat with his hands. His teal eyes were sharp and entirely focused.
"We have exactly four hours before the sun rises," Caspian whispered, tapping the parchment. "The structural materials have been hidden in the western courtyard. If we move quickly, the foundation can be laid and the glass installed before Primrose wakes up to start the morning fires."
Rurik leaned over the table, squinting his golden eyes at the complex schematic. He had brought his battle-axe, fully expecting a raid.
"I do not understand," the Northern Wolf rumbled in a hushed, confused whisper. "Who are we ambushing? Is this a fortress? It looks very fragile. There are too many windows."
"We are not ambushing anyone, you walking disaster," Cassian sighed, adjusting his glasses. The Serpent Warlord was wearing a protective face mask and thick gloves to avoid construction dust. "It is an architectural surprise. Though, Caspian, the angle of the roof suggests a flat, modern design. The snow load in winter will require heating runes to prevent structural collapse."
"I have already factored in the thermal runes, Cassian," Caspian replied smoothly.
Lucien leaned against the weapon rack, his arms crossed over his chest. "Why are we building an isolated glass room in the middle of the night? The manor has forty empty rooms."
Caspian paused. He looked down at the blueprints.
Lately, Caspian had noticed how tirelessly Primrose worked. She was the heart of the manor, constantly cooking, mediating, and caring for the cubs. He wanted to give her a sanctuary. Not a grand Warlord hall, and not a massive kitchen. He wanted to give her a piece of their original home—a modern, sunlit conservatory built specifically for resting.
"It is a tribute," Caspian finally answered, his voice dropping into a tone of absolute, regal authority. "Primrose has spent years building a home for all of us. Tonight, we build a sanctuary exclusively for her. No Warlords allowed. No weapons. No shouting. It will be a place of absolute peace."
Rurik puffed out his chest, completely moved by the romantic gesture. "A territory just for the Sovereign! The North will provide the labor! I will chop the glass myself!"
"You absolutely will not touch the glass, Rurik," Cassian hissed in pure terror. "You will handle the foundation stones. And if you drop one, I will poison your breakfast."
"Let us begin," Lucien stated quietly, stepping away from the wall.
What followed was the most highly overpowered, ridiculously overqualified construction crew in the history of the Empire.
Out in the dark western courtyard, the Warlords went to work. Caspian directed the operation with the ruthless efficiency of a modern project manager. Rurik hauled massive slabs of white marble without breaking a sweat, setting them perfectly into place for the foundation. Lucien used his shadow-magic as a dark, silent scaffolding, holding the heavy wooden crossbeams perfectly still in mid-air while Cassian magically fused the joints together to avoid the use of unhygienic nails.
Caspian himself handled the intricate work. He laid down a complex network of thermal water-runes beneath the marble tiles—a magical recreation of the traditional Korean ondol underfloor heating system he remembered from his past life.
There were a few minor incidents. Rurik accidentally crushed a wooden beam by holding it too tightly, and Cassian nearly went into shock when a stray moth landed on the pristine glass panes. But by the time the horizon began to turn a soft, hazy purple, the structure was complete.
Inside the manor, I woke up to an empty bed.

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