"You can't lead House Blackwood as a mortal. The moment his power vanished, so did his candidacy."

Anger edged her voice, genuine frustration at her brother's stupidity, at the carelessness that had made him vulnerable in the first place.

An ignorant brother who'd thought himself untouchable and paid the ultimate price for that arrogance.

But beneath the anger was something else. Grief, maybe. Or regret that it had come to this.

"I'm sure Richard was involved. The timing was too convenient, the execution too precise. James's removal from succession consideration came just as Richard began consolidating his support among the conservative families."

A pause.

"And I'll make him pay for what he did to my brother."

The promise wasn't loud or dramatic. Just quiet. Absolute. The kind of vow that carried the weight of inevitability.

"But right now, there's no proof. No evidence I can use. Whoever helped him covered their tracks professionally."

Catherine swirled wine in her glass, watching the liquid catch the light.

"And that's what concerns me most. Richard isn't capable of that level of sophistication on his own. The planning, the patience, the perfect timing... none of that is his style."

Victoria's hand found Catherine's across the table, silent support.

Catherine's fingers squeezed back briefly before continuing.

"Someone from the Elder Council is backing him. Supporting him from behind the scenes. Someone with real power and deep knowledge of House politics."

The temperature in the room seemed to drop.

"Someone mad enough to violate one of House Blackwood's few sacred taboos. Elder interference in succession means immediate execution if discovered."

She took a slow sip of wine.

"They're gambling their life on Richard winning."

"I don't know who yet. But I'll find out. I always do."

Alex had been processing silently, watching Catherine's controlled fury, noting the way grief and calculation warred beneath her composed surface. But something about the succession structure itself intrigued him.

"How does House Blackwood actually choose its leader?" he asked. "What's the process?"

Catherine glanced at him, seeming to appreciate the practical question cutting through the emotional weight of James's situation.

"It's not a simple vote," she said. "House Blackwood's succession operates on three pillars of legitimacy. All three matter, but they don't carry equal weight."

She set her wine glass down, shifting into explanation mode.

"First pillar: vassal family support. House Blackwood controls seventeen vassal families... smaller noble houses that swear loyalty and provide resources, military strength, political influence. Each family head gets a formal vote when succession is called. Securing their backing is essential, but it's also the most unstable pillar."

"Why unstable?" Alex asked.

"Because vassal families shift allegiances based on self-interest," Victoria interjected.

"They'll support whoever offers them the best deal... best resources, trade advantages, political appointments."

Catherine nodded.

"Exactly. James had strong vassal support before his incident because he promised expansion. New territories mean new opportunities for the families. Richard's been quietly offering similar deals, plus guarantees of tradition and stability that appeal to the conservative families."

She paused, organizing her thoughts.

"Second pillar: individual powerhouses. High-level cultivators within House Blackwood's sphere who aren't bound by family politics.

Apex realm cultivators, retired generals, legendary figures who've earned personal authority through strength or achievement. Their endorsements carry tremendous weight because they're seen as... objective assessors of capability."

"They back whoever they think will actually succeed," Alex said.

"Precisely. And they don't care about politics or deals. They care about competence, strength, vision. Securing their support requires demonstrating you're worthy of leading, not just bribing them with promises."

Catherine's expression shifted slightly, pride mixing with determination.

Alex processed that, seeing the strategic landscape taking shape.

"And the third pillar?"

"Personal cultivation realm," Catherine said simply. "You can't lead House Blackwood from a position of weakness. The succession laws require any candidate to have reached at least Peak Enhanced realm minimum. Apex is preferred, but not mandatory."

She leaned back slightly.

"This isn't arbitrary tradition. House Blackwood operates in a world where power matters. Our enemies, our rivals, our allies... they all assess us based on strength. A weak House Head invites challenges, destabilizes authority, makes the entire House vulnerable."

"So James being crippled wasn't just about losing his cultivation," Alex said. "It was about losing fundamental eligibility."

"Exactly. Even if he'd retained all his vassal support and powerhouse endorsements, the moment he fell below Peak Enhanced, he was disqualified. No exceptions."

Victoria spoke up, tone thoughtful.

"Which means Richard's backer knew that removing James's cultivation was the one move that couldn't be politically maneuvered around. No amount of support matters if you don't meet the baseline requirement."

Catherine nodded grimly.

"It was surgical. Permanent. And it sent a message to everyone watching... Richard's faction is willing to destroy candidates, not just outmaneuver them."

Alex absorbed the information, his mind already working through implications.

"So where do things stand now?" he asked. "Between you and Richard."

Catherine considered the question carefully.

"Vassal families are split. I have nine confirmed votes, Richard has six, two are undecided. The undecided families are waiting to see who demonstrates stronger momentum before committing."

She tapped her fingers against the table, a rare nervous gesture.

"Powerhouse endorsements favor me three to one, but Richard's backer is likely working to change that. If they can secure even one or two more major endorsements, it shifts perception significantly."

"And cultivation?" Alex asked.

"I'm Late Peak Enhanced, close to breakthrough. Richard is Early Enhanced, but advancing steadily. If I reach Apex before succession is formally called, it would be a significant advantage... not decisive, but meaningful."

She met Alex's eyes.

"Right now, I'm ahead. But the gap is narrower than I'd like, and James's removal has created uncertainty. Some families wonder if I'll be targeted next. That makes them hesitant to commit publicly."

Alex could see it now... the careful balance, the multiple dimensions of power and politics, the way Catherine had to navigate personal strength, family alliances, and individual relationships simultaneously.

"When is succession formally called?" he asked.

"Within six months," Catherine said. "The current House Head, my father, is declining. His health is failing, his cultivation destabilizing. He'll call for succession once he determines he can no longer maintain authority."

She paused.

"Which means I have six months to secure enough support that Richard's backer can't undermine me. Six months to reach Apex if possible. Six months to identify who's backing him and neutralize their advantage."

Her jaw set with determination.

"And six months to make sure I don't end up like James."

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