Chapter 14 - NO MORE KINGS
Stefan fired at the camera.
The broadcast died.
But it was too late.
Outside the palace, the crowd exploded.
“ALINA!”
“TRAITOR!”
“ARREST STEFAN!”
Military units in the square stopped following orders.
Several commanders ordered their soldiers to stand down.
Stefan grabbed Marcus.
“Move!”
Alina raised her gun.
“Let him go.”
“You won’t shoot.”
“You murdered my parents.”
“You’re still the little girl who cried when her horse broke its leg.”
Alina’s hand didn’t shake.
“That little girl grew up.”
Stefan dragged Marcus toward the balcony.
Leo moved to flank him.
Stefan pointed the gun at Leo.
“You.”
Leo stopped.
“I gave you everything.”
“You took everything.”
“I made you a king.”
“You made me a coward.”
Stefan’s face twisted.
“You ungrateful little—”
Marcus slammed his head backward into Stefan’s face.
CRACK.
Stefan stumbled.
Alina fired.
The bullet struck Stefan’s gun hand.
He screamed.
Leo tackled him.
They crashed through the balcony doors.
Stefan punched Leo.
Leo hit him back.
Years of anger exploded in seconds.
Stefan reached for a fallen pistol.
Alina kicked it away.
He charged her.
They hit the balcony rail.
Below them, thousands watched.
Stefan grabbed Alina by the throat.
“You think they love you?”
Alina struggled for air.
“They love stories. Tomorrow they’ll hate you.”
“Maybe.”
She drove her knee into his stomach.
“But tomorrow is their choice.”
Stefan fell backward against the railing.
It cracked.
For one terrifying second, he hung over the edge.
Alina grabbed his wrist.
Stefan looked up.
Shock filled his face.
“Why?”
Alina strained to hold him.
“Because I’m not you.”
Leo grabbed his other arm.
Together they pulled Stefan back onto the balcony.
Soldiers rushed forward.
This time, they pointed their guns at Stefan.
Colonel Darek removed Stefan’s royal pin.
“Regent Stefan Petrov, you are under arrest for high treason and murder.”
Stefan laughed bitterly.
“You think this changes anything?”
Alina looked toward the crowd.
“No.”
She stepped forward.
“It changes everything.”
Hours later, the parliament gathered.
The old constitution said the crown should pass to Leo.
Leo stood before the assembly.
“I refuse.”
The chamber erupted.
Alina stared at him.
Leo continued.
“I participated in actions that helped create this crisis. I will testify publicly. I will accept whatever judgment the law decides.”
Alina felt tears burn her eyes.
A member of parliament stood.
“Then Princess Alina becomes queen.”
Everyone turned toward her.
The room waited.
She walked to the center.
She looked at the empty throne.
For generations, her family had sat there.
People had killed for it.
Lied for it.
Died for it.
Alina took off the royal ring she had hidden for three years.
She placed it on the throne.
“No.”
Silence.
“I did not come home to inherit power.”
May you like
She looked around the chamber.
“I came home to give it back.”
