The corridors of the Athena Palace were more than quiet. The guards moved silently, and the ministers avoided speaking, as if something was concealing itself behind the walls.
In the Special Investigations Office, Perdus sat reviewing the reports of the last few days: French movements, coded messages, nighttime meetings. But a name began to recur in the shadows: Madus.
Perdus said to himself:
"The French Marshal cultivates his influence openly… but Madus cultivates something else in secret."
In the middle of the night, Perdus summoned one of his secret agents, Orestes, and said:
"Keep an eye on Madus. Don't follow him into the palace, but outside. Some say he visits an old house in the Callistra neighborhood every week."
"I've heard about it," Orestes replied. "The house is not officially inhabited, but there is strange nighttime activity."
The next night, Orestes followed Madus from a distance. The old advisor left the palace quietly, unguarded, and headed for an old stone house on the outskirts of the city.
Orestes waited until Madus entered, then slipped to the back window. There, he saw a strange sight:
- Madus sitting opposite a young man in his twenties, his features regal but unrecognizable.
- On the table were maps, documents, and ancient royal regalia.
- Madus spoke in a low voice:
- "When the time comes, you will be ready. Athens doesn't need a temporary leader... but new royal blood."
Orestes froze. Was this young man a secret heir? Was Madus planning a soft coup?
He immediately returned to Peridos and relayed everything to him.
Peridos, staring at the reports, said:
- "Madus isn't just plotting... he's building a new throne in the shadows."
The next morning, Perdus entered Melos's room and said sharply, "Sir, there is something you should know. Madus is meeting with an unknown young man in a private house and teaching him lessons in government. There are maps, royal emblems, and clear plans."
Melos froze, then said,
- "Are you accusing my uncle of treason?"
Perdus replied,
- "I don't accuse... I report. But if you don't act, you may find yourself out of the game."
Melos summoned Madus to the courtroom.
He said,
- "Uncle, there are those who say you are meeting with a stranger and planning for a new heir. Is that true?"
Madus smiled calmly and said,
- "Athens needs more than a temporary leader. It needs royal blood, a symbol. You are a good leader, Melos... but you are no Silius."
Melos froze, then said,
- "And who is this young man?"
Madus replied, "Selius's son... from his previous marriage, which was not announced. His name is Alexius. And it's time for him to appear."
A heavy silence fell.
Perdus asked, "Do you have proof of his lineage?"
Madus replied, "Yes. Documents, witnesses, even the king's own seal."
Madus left the hall, leaving Melos in an internal struggle.
Perdus said, "If this is true, then you are no longer the sole heir... but merely a temporary guardian."
Melos replied in a low voice, "Then I must know the truth... before everyone else does."