Catherine moved through the manor's corridors toward her bedroom, still testing the subtle shifts in her body that came with Apex realm. Every step felt more controlled, more precise, as if her body finally matched the discipline she'd spent years cultivating.

'He actually did it.'

Peak Enhanced to Apex in hours. Something that should have been impossible, delivered as casually as a dinner invitation.

'Three months to Peak Apex,' she thought, confidence settling like armor. Maybe beyond.

'Six months until succession.'

'More than enough time.'

Her thoughts shifted to Richard, and something cold crystallized in her chest.

'You made a grave mistake. You assumed James's failure had broken me. That I'd be scrambling while you consolidated power.'

She flexed her fingers, feeling Apex-enhanced strength respond.

'I'm going to take back everything you stole. Every vassal family. Every political advantage. And then I'll teach you exactly where you belong.'

James's revenge. Richard kneeling before the rightful heir.

The image was satisfying.

But her thoughts darkened further as another name surfaced.

'The Steeles.'

'That sly bastard and his insufferable wife.'

Smiled to her face while pledging support, then threw their influence behind Richard the moment opportunity arose.

Catherine's jaw tightened, anger flashing hot and vicious.

'That bitch,' she thought, picturing Lady Steele's condescending smile. Walking around like two centuries of service gives her the right to lecture me.

'I'll teach you a lesson you'll never forget.'

But then her thoughts shifted to Alex, and the anger transformed into something else entirely.

The man who'd given her Apex realm like it was nothing. Who'd promised to help her claim what was rightfully hers.

Catherine's smile turned slowly wicked.

'He gave me such an enormous gift. It would be rude not to give him something back.

And what better gift than helping him take his revenge?'

An idea began forming... dark, elegant, utterly ruthless.

'I'll handle it,' she decided, the plan taking shape. 'Alex gave me the tools to win. The least I can do is remove some obstacles along the way.'

Her smile widened with genuine anticipation.

She pushed open her bedroom door and headed directly for the attached bathroom... a spacious chamber of marble and polished fixtures that spoke of House Blackwood's wealth without ostentation.

Steam already filled the air.

Catherine paused in the doorway, surprised.

Victoria sat in the large soaking tub, eyes closed, a blissful expression on her face as hot water surrounded her. The impurity stains were gone, scrubbed away with what must have been enthusiastic determination judging by the faint pink tinge to her skin.

Victoria's eyes opened at the sound of footsteps.

Catherine moved to the tub's edge, a playful smile crossing her features. "So you've finally taken your first step, huh?"

Victoria's face lit up immediately. "I have! Catherine, it's..."

"How is it?" Catherine asked, already removing her stained robe, dried impurities flaking away.

"It's incredible," Victoria said, her voice carrying genuine wonder. "Everything feels... alive. Like I've been living in muted colors my entire life and someone suddenly turned up the saturation. I can feel my heartbeat, hear sounds I never noticed before, sense the air moving across my skin."

She flexed her fingers, watching the precise movement with fascination.

"It's like waking up for the first time. Really waking up. I didn't even know what I was missing until now."

Catherine stepped into the water, settling across from Victoria with a sigh as heat soaked into her Apex-enhanced muscles.

Then she laughed, the sound carrying both affection and mock exasperation.

"You bitch," she said, shaking her head with a grin. "I've been telling you the same thing for years. Offering you resources, explaining the benefits, practically begging you to start cultivating."

Victoria had the grace to look slightly sheepish.

"And you always refused," Catherine continued, pointing an accusing finger.

Her smile widened, teasing but warm.

"But Alex says it once... once... and suddenly you're taking elixirs and breaking through to Peak Mortal realm like it's the most natural thing in the world."

Victoria laughed, not even trying to deny it. "I know, I know. But it's different when... "

"When it's him?" Catherine finished, arching an eyebrow.

"...Yes," Victoria admitted, smile turning slightly sheepish but unapologetic. "When it's him."

Catherine shook her head, but her expression held only warmth and amusement. "Well, at least you're here now. Even if it took someone else to convince you."

Comfortable silence settled between them for a moment.

Then Catherine spoke, her tone carrying quiet assessment.

"You're at Peak Mortal realm now. The elixir brought you to the absolute limit of baseline human physiology."

She paused, green eyes gleaming with something predatory.

"And I'm Apex realm now. Early stage, but still... one full realm above Alex."

Victoria's attention sharpened. "He's Early Enhanced, right?"

"Exactly," Catherine said, leaning back against the tub's edge. "Which means for the first time since we've known him, we have the advantage."

"Wouldn't it be a shame to waste such a rare opportunity?"

A slow smile spread across Victoria's face as understanding dawned. "You want to test it."

"Don't you?" Catherine's voice dropped to something almost playful. "We've both just broken through. New strength. New capabilities. And Alex has been so... generous... with his gifts."

Victoria's smile widened, matching Catherine's energy. "It would be rude not to show our appreciation properly."

"Extremely rude," Catherine agreed. "And I'm nothing if not grateful."

Victoria's smile widened, matching Catherine's energy. "I want to test this power properly too. See how far I can actually push him."

Catherine's smile turned sharp. "He won't know what hit him."

They sat there for another moment, the steam swirling around them, plans forming in comfortable conspiracy.

Victoria laughed. "Then we shouldn't keep him waiting too long."

"No," Catherine agreed, standing from the tub with fluid grace that spoke to her new Apex-enhanced coordination. "We shouldn't. After all..."

She grabbed a towel, water streaming off enhanced muscles.

"We have gratitude to express. Properly."

Victoria rose as well, her own movements carrying the subtle power of Peak Mortal realm. "And new strength to test."

"Exactly."

They dried off quickly, moved to Catherine's wardrobe, and selected attire that was simultaneously elegant and... accessible.

Catherine chose a silk robe in deep emerald that complemented her eyes and left very little to imagination. Victoria selected midnight blue that contrasted beautifully with her complexion.

"Ready?" Catherine asked, checking her reflection one final time.

They moved through the corridors together, silk robes whispering against skin, newfound power radiating from every step.

Two women transformed. Two breakthroughs completed. Two minds focused on a single goal.

And Alex, waiting in the library, had no idea what was about to hit him.

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