The Rise

Quick Recap:

Leon is Emperor, however he is currently a puppet with no power and under Gideon's control. Hilda, Jessica and Alexander (Leon's family) are in custody with Thomas Vinzent (the former Crown Prince) who is hiding. Gideon is using Thomas and the foreign army brought in by Bethany Garner (working for Thomas) to create fear in the nation and allow Leon to stay as Emperor. For this reason, he has no need to save Hilda or Leon's family, in fact he wants them out of the picture as this will affect his rule and legitimacy in the Shadow Council. Currently the Shadow council is following Gideon's orders out of fear and convenience - not because they trust in him.

We last left Leon alone in his closed chambers, almost a prisoner, losing all hope that he cannot do anything to get out of his situation. When suddenly, a knock at his metallic automatic door seems to change that. Based on his memory, the man in front of him was Hilda's butler dressed up in secret service attire.

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The man entered Leon's room before Leon would even allow him inside.

"I apologize for the intrusion Master Leon, but we must be quick" he said as the door closes behind him.

"I hope you recognize me." said the man

Leon squints his eyes, still unsure, but then nods slightly confirming he knew he was Hilda's butler.

"Good. We've saved more time." said the man as he starts a timer on his watch "we only have six minutes, starting now."

"Why-"

"Before you ask any questions, I will speak first. I'm sure i'll answer your questions as I go, this way it'll be faster" said the man cutting off Leon before he could ask any questions.

"First, the only reason I was able to infiltrate Gideon's hideout is because it is currently going through a transitional phase. Gideon wants to stay out of the sight of Thomas and Bethany - he will not underestimate their ability to find him. During the building and creation of the hideout there is a small window where personnel are being shuffled and checked, equipment moved and security checks done. Given my status in the Cottonwood household, and this small window, I was able to enter and reach you." he said.

He then took a nearby chair and sat down facing Leon. Leon did the same, but sat on his bed as there was no other chair in the room.

"However, once this transition period passes in a few hours, I will no longer be able to enter undetected. Which means, I only have this one small chance to talk to you. Second, the reason I came to meet you is so that you do not lose hope. I serve the Cottonwood household and by now you must be feeling hopeless and defeated - I am here to tell you to hold on, persevere as there is still hope that Madam Hilda will return glorious. And that brings me to my Third point: there will come a time when I will need your help for my plan to save Madam Hilda to succeed. You may hold no power, but to the people you are still Emperor and that has tremendous value. You are a powerful card, don't forget that Master Leon." said the man.

Leon leaned back into his bed with his hands, looking up at the roof of his room. He took a big sigh of relief. It felt like a burden was lifted off his c.h.e.s.t. Here he was, feeling trapped, locked in a room, unable to leave, move, think, and even breathe. Right in front of him was a miracle, a chance, hope.

"Master Leon? I need you to confirm that you understand. The clock is ticking." he said cutting Leon off his euphoric relief.

Leon turns towards him with determined eyes.

"What is it that you need me to do?" asked Leon.

"I cannot tell you that. You see, even without you this plan has a chance to succeed, no matter how slim. However, if the plan itself is somehow leaked through you, Gideon will shut it down before it gets to its feet. I apologize Leon, but I cannot take that chance - "

Leon's eyes widen. His heart sinks to his stomach and his skin starts to sweat. The man continues to talk, but Leon can't hear anything except ringing in his head. Everything slows down. His relief left just as quickly as it came, replaced with a sour feeling of defeat and pain. All Leon could think about was how the man in front of him, dropped the "Master" from "Master Leon" all of a sudden.

'This... This must be a trap...' he thought to himself as his breathing started to race.

"Master Leon?" said the man noticing that Leon was out of it.

Leon shakes his head and smiles innocently.

"I-I'm sorry. I just, I don't know where my head went." said Leon

'I need to confirm. It might've just been a mistake. But how can a trained butler serving my Grandmother for thirty years forget something so habitual. He broke character. I need to prove it.' thought Leon to himself.

"I'm sorry, I just, I know we don't have much time, I just -"

'No!' shouted Leon in his head stopping himself from finishing the sentence. He was going to ask him a fake question 'I always wanted to know what you whispered to my grandmother the day I met her' - the reality is Leon already knows what was said that day and it was something that happened. Meaning if this was truly Hilda's butler he would answer correctly. A fake could play it off and say, he doesn't remember, or he might make something up assuming that Leon didn't actually know what was whispered to Hilda that day.

But this was dangerous. It was out of character for Leon, it would give away the fact that Leon suspects the man in front of him. This would bad for him if this man was a trap set to test Leon.

Leon decides, he must take a risk. His gut feeling never failed him. He takes a deep breath and stands up from his bed.

"I just - I Just find it funny, that you automatically thought I would side with Hilda." said Leon putting on his best fake smirk.

"Master Leon?" said the man

"You know, when Thomas entered my home, when Justin pummeled me in the school yard, when I was struggling in the school elections, no one answered my call, no one came to my help - not my mother, not my father and definitely not my so called grandmother. There was only one man who helped me no matter what: Gideon." said Leon

"After everything he's done to your family, how can you trust him. He was clearly playing you against them, using you for his own-"

"I already know that. Of course I hate the guy and I'll end him the first chance I get. All I'm saying is, I understand his position. He was Hilda's loyal second in command for what, twenty years? And what does she do? She sets up the shadow council for her daughter. Of course he won't sit around and watch that happen. It's simply unfair." said Leon

The man stood up from his chair.

"You would choose Gideon to rule and not your own mother? The shadow council was created and belongs to Madam Hilda, she will give it to whomever she pleases." said the man

"Perhaps. Nevertheless, if Hilda returns, everything goes back to normal. The crown I wear may be made of plastic and the power I have an illusion, but I am still exactly where I want to be." said Leon.

Leon then walks up to a telecom that was near the door.

"So here's what will happen, Mr. Butler, you will tell me everything you know about this plan, then I will call Gideon using this telecom and tell him everything. The reason you will tell me is because Gideon will trust information you told me when you thought you could trust me and that will spare you the torture Gideon will put you through to get you to talk."

Leon places his hand on the telecom.

"So choose, talk to me or talk to Gideon." said Leon.

"What do you have to gain from this..." said the man defeated.

Leon's hand starts to shake. He can only pretend for so long and given the reaction of the man in front of him, he's starting to second guess if he made the right decision.

'Please... please let me be right...' he said to himself

"I want to leave my room freely, I want to make demands, I want that little snake Gideon to trust me and unfortunately, you're my sacrificial lamb." he said holding his breath, pushing further with this act, waiting for the man in front of him to break.

After a long stare down and silence, the timer on the man's watch ends and rings loudly. The man, who was previous acting tense, relaxed. The door suddenly opened and Leon turned his head towards it.

It was Gideon, entering the room ducking his head through the door with a smile on his face looking at Leon.