Age: 8 Years
Charm was more than just words.
It was more than a well-practiced smile, more than sharp wit or intelligent conversation.
Charm was a force—a presence that turned heads without asking, that made others lean in when speaking, that lingered long after one had left the room.
And Lucien Silver Star possessed it naturally.
Not in the desperate manner of lesser nobles who flaunted wealth and titles.
Not in the superficial way of men who sought admiration from crowds.
His charm was effortless, magnetic, undeniable—an energy that pulled people toward him without them realizing why.
And tonight, in the halls of House Dusk, his presence was beginning to take true shape.
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### The Unspoken Allure
The servants lingered longer when attending to him.
The noblewomen who visited his home watched him with curiosity, their eyes holding an unspoken fascination despite his young age.
Even his mother, Lady Elira, doted on him more than ever, unwittingly prioritizing him above his elder brothers—a shift so gradual that even she did not realize what had happened.
His natural charisma was working, subtly but surely, affecting those around him.
They saw something in him, something they could not explain but could not ignore.
And now, it was time to weaponize it properly.
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### The First Political Move
Lucien had already planted seeds of influence among his chosen followers.
Now, he needed to test his ability to alter noble politics, to subtly manipulate perceptions without revealing his true ambitions.
His target? His father's political opponents.
Lord Silver Star had spent years clashing with certain noble houses, particularly House Aldric, whose merchants often challenged his land ownership rights in trade discussions.
Tonight, as his father prepared for a formal meeting, Lucien saw an opportunity.
He approached his mother, his expression measured yet subtly vulnerable.
"Mother," he murmured, feigning thoughtful curiosity. "Do you think father worries too much about our lands?"
Lady Elira paused, blinking at him. "Why do you ask, my love?"
"I overheard some nobles saying that House Aldric wants to expand. If Father isn't careful, won't they become more powerful than us?"
A simple question.
A suggestion, not a demand.
And yet, the effect was immediate.
Lady Elira frowned, her expression shifting as the idea took root in her mind—a thought that was not hers, but now felt like her own.
By the time she next spoke to Lord Dusk, she would bring up the topic, encouraging new strategies, different defenses, unknowingly steering her husband toward actions that benefited Valerian's plans instead of his own.
And just like that, his first noble manipulation had begun.
---
### A Future of Absolute Influence
Charm was not just about attraction.
It was not just about being noticed or admired.
It was about control—the ability to shape thoughts, to make others believe they had made their own choices when they had merely followed his will.
And now, with his natural allure, his growing network, and his deepening presence in noble politics, his rise to true dominance had officially begun.