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

Catherine lifted her head, meeting Alex's gaze. The vulnerability was there, naked and raw, but beneath it burned a cold, unyielding fire.

​Alex leaned forward slightly, meeting Catherine's eyes with quiet confidence.

​"Six months is more than enough," he said. "And I will help you get everything you deserve."

Catherine's expression softened, genuine appreciation flickering across her features before she masked it with her usual composure.

"Thank you," she said quietly. "I appreciate the reassurance. It's... good to have someone who believes I can win this."

There was something almost sad in her smile, as if she thought Alex was simply trying to lift her spirits, offering hope rather than substance. A kind gesture from someone who cared, but ultimately just words meant to comfort rather than concrete support.

Victoria's voice cut through the moment, sharp and certain.

"He's not just saying that."

Both Catherine and Alex turned to look at her.

Victoria leaned forward, her expression serious in a way that commanded attention despite her usual warmth.

"Catherine, he can actually help you. Not just moral support or general advice. Real, tangible help that will change the equation completely."

Catherine's eyebrow arched, skepticism mixing with curiosity as she looked between her sister and Alex.

"I know you trust him," she said carefully, "but even with good intentions..."

"This isn't about intentions," Victoria interrupted, something fierce entering her voice.

​"I've seen what he's capable of. I know what kind of resources he has access to. When Alex says he can help you, he's not being optimistic. He's being conservative."

The certainty in Victoria's tone carried weight that simple belief couldn't account for. This wasn't blind faith in someone she cared about. This was knowledge, backed by evidence Catherine hadn't seen yet.

Catherine's gaze shifted back to Alex, and her expression had changed. The polite appreciation was gone, replaced by sharp assessment.

"And how exactly do you propose to help me, Alex?" she asked slowly, testing the waters.

​She leaned back, her eyes narrowing slightly as she played her card.

"If you're thinking that your team will be enough... Viktor and his people, I mean... then I need to be clear about something."

Alex's expression shifted fractionally, surprise flickering across his features.

Catherine caught it immediately, and something almost smug entered her smile.

"What, you thought I was unaware of my surroundings?" she asked, voice carrying an edge of amusement. "I noticed an Apex realm cultivator shadowing you during our evening together. Viktor, unless I'm mistaken. Getting someone of his caliber to follow you is impressive, truly. But if that's the extent of your support network..."

She paused, letting the implication hang in the air.

"It's not enough. An Apex cultivator is valuable, certainly. But Richard's backer likely has access to multiple powerhouses. One additional fighter, even one as skilled as Viktor, won't shift the balance decisively."

Alex studied Catherine for a long moment, genuine appreciation clear in his expression.

"You're remarkably observant," he praised her.

Catherine's smile turned slightly predatory.

"I didn't become a candidate for House Head by being oblivious, Alex. I pay attention to the people around me, especially when those people are close to someone who's become... important."

The word hung in the air between them, weighted with meaning that went beyond simple political alliance.

Alex nodded slowly, respect evident in his posture.

​"Fair enough," Alex conceded smoothly. He leaned back in his chair, his posture relaxed, studying her over the rim of his wine glass.

"You're right to be cautious. Viktor is formidable, but against an Elder Council backer? He alone isn't enough to tilt the balance."

​He set the glass down with a soft clink, holding her gaze.

​"But tell me, Catherine... what if there wasn't just one?"

​His voice dropped lower, carrying a dangerous, casual weight.

"What if there were four like him? Or five?"

​The silence that followed was absolute.

​Catherine froze. Her lips parted, but no sound came out. The smug satisfaction from moments ago vanished, replaced by a look of sheer, uncomprehending shock.

"Five?" she whispered, the word barely a breath.

Her mind went into overdrive, racing through implications faster than conscious thought could track.

Four or five Apex cultivators operating as a unified force. The sheer political weight of that. The military power. The message it would send to every faction in House Blackwood.

But where would Alex even find them? Apex cultivators were rare. Legendary. Getting one to follow you required either blood ties, massive debt, or resources beyond imagining. Getting four or five?

That was...

Catherine's thoughts stuttered, crashed into each other, tried to rebuild from impossible foundations.

Before she could fully process the first bomb Alex had dropped, his voice cut through her spiraling analysis.

"What?" he asked, and there was something almost playful in his tone. Teasing. "Still not enough?"

Catherine's eyes snapped to his face, and she found him watching her with that same dangerous calm, as if he'd just offered her tea rather than upended every assumption she'd built about power and resources.

Before she could formulate a response, he continued.

"What if I told you I could push you from Late Peak Enhanced to Late Apex realm in three months?"

His voice carried absolute certainty, each word landing with the weight of inevitability.

"Or maybe even beyond."

The room seemed to tilt.

Catherine's breath caught in her throat, her mind stuttering to a complete halt. The first claim... the Apex cultivators... had been shocking. Unprecedented. But this...

This was insane.

"With these two pillars secured," Alex continued, leaning forward slightly, "wouldn't claiming the third become... easy?"

The logic was flawless. Horrifyingly, devastatingly flawless.

If she had four or five Apex realm powerhouses backing her... fighters whose mere presence would shift the entire political landscape... and if she herself reached Late Apex or beyond with a foundation superior to anything Richard could achieve...

The vassal families wouldn't just lean toward her. They would stampede to declare support. The undecided would become decided. Even some of Richard's current supporters would quietly begin exploring how to switch allegiances without losing face.

The succession wouldn't be a competition anymore.

It would be a coronation.

But the sheer impossibility of what Alex was claiming...

Catherine's hands had gone numb. She realized distantly that she was gripping the edge of the table hard enough that her knuckles had turned white.

"That's..." she started, but her voice came out hoarse. She cleared her throat, trying again.

"Alex, that's not just difficult. It's impossible."

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