Under a Dimmed Sun [UNCENSORED]

Epilogue: Chapter LXXVI: Soap, Kingmaker, and Rebel

In the tranquil rolling hills of central Castile, the estate of Albert of Mohn gleamed with the prosperity of a successful soap enterprise. Albert, once a scion of noble ambition and secretive affairs, had transformed himself into a soap magnate—a rare and innovative venture in his time. His new estate, with its sprawling grounds and elegant buildings, reflected both his wealth and his desire to create a new legacy.

The estate's construction included separate quarters for his wife and several mistresses, each area meticulously designed to cater to their different tastes. Albert's wife, a noblewoman of grace and patience, managed her own domain with quiet dignity, while the mistresses enjoyed their lavish surroundings with a mix of indulgence and discretion. Albert had become adept at balancing his family life with his business ventures, trying to heal from the emotional scars of his past.

Though the business was thriving, Albert's heart still wandered back to the memories of Alice, his lost love. The pain of her sudden death had once been a deep wound, but time had dulled the ache. He remembered her fondly, not with the passion of a lover, but with a tender nostalgia that reminded him of the life he once envisioned. Slowly, he was learning to move on, finding solace in his new endeavors and the relative peace of his domestic life.

Albert's political career, however, was far from quiet. The death of his cousin, Queen Eleanor of Navarre, had left a significant mark on him. Eleanor had been a vital ally and a confidante in the complex web of courtly politics. Their relationship, though never one of true romance, had been a complicated mix of personal and political. Albert had always felt a lingering sense of debt to her—a debt incurred through their nights together and the political machinations she had supported.

Eleanor's death, a casualty of the succession wars with King Franco, had initially seemed like a final curtain on his involvement in courtly drama. Albert had hoped to escape the relentless pressures of political maneuvering, focusing instead on his burgeoning soap business. However, the political tides were never far from his door.

Albert's days were occasionally disrupted by political emissaries, each pushing their own agendas and creating friction that irritated him. The constant reminders of his past affiliations and obligations were a thorn in his side. He often found himself wrestling with the moral complexities of his previous actions and the debt he owed to Eleanor.

But as fate would have it, a new and unexpected turn of events unfolded. King Franco, now the reigning monarch, was found dead—poisoned under mysterious circumstances. Albert knew that this was not merely a coincidence. He had orchestrated Franco's demise, a move to eliminate a rival and secure his own interests. The king's death was part of a carefully laid plan, driven by the need to regain control in a chaotic political landscape.

Albert of Mohn had found a new purpose in supporting King Ferdinand to be a new King of Navarre. His motivation was a blend of personal ambition and a sense of duty to repay a debt to his late cousin, Queen Eleanor. With Franco's death—an outcome of Albert's own handiwork—the stage was set for Ferdinand's claim to the throne

Albert used his soap empire as a cover for his political maneuvers. He hosted extravagant gatherings, mingling with nobles and merchants to subtly rally support for Ferdinand, brother of Eleanor. His estate became a hub for secretive meetings and strategic discussions, where alliances were forged and rivalries weakened.

In private strategy sessions with his advisors, Albert meticulously planned Ferdinand's rise. He knew that merely poisoning Franco was not enough; he needed to undermine Franco's loyalists and consolidate power for Ferdinand. His actions aimed to create instability among Franco's former supporters, paving the way for Ferdinand's smoother ascension.

Albert sat alone in his study, a glass of wine in hand, reflecting on the shifting tides of his life. The walls of his room, adorned with portraits of his family and artworks from his successful soap business and inherited wealth, seemed to close in on him with their silent judgments.