Raven's condition takes a turn for the worse as the worst comes to pass politically. The governor has been assassinated, meaning the local lords must now brace for war. Can Ars lead House Louvent in his ailing father's stead?

Ars has big shoes to fill as he takes over for his father as the new lord of House Louvent. With the trusty band of retainers he's built up over the years, is he up to the task?

Now that the governor is dead, his sons are in a deadlock over who will succeed him. Lord Lumeire's league has chosen their side, but one local district remains a political holdout—and Ars is determined to figure out why.

Ars receives a personal invitation to a party hosted by Couran Salamakhia, the elder of the late governor's two sons. Ars hardly knows what to make of the situation, much less the big ideas Couran is about to share with him.