Chapter 11 - THE FALSE PRINCESS TELLS THE TRUTH

Garrick dragged both women onto the balcony.

Thousands filled the square below.

Celestine wore the crown.

Elara stood beside her with her hands bound.

Garrick whispered from behind them.

“Read the statement.”

Celestine unfolded the paper.

Her hands trembled.

Then she looked at Elara.

Elara nodded once.

Celestine stepped forward.

“My name is Celestine Voss.”

The crowd became quiet.

Garrick stiffened.

“That is not the name you know me by.”

Celestine removed the crown.

Gasps rose from below.

“For twelve years, you were told I belonged to the House of Valorian.”

“That was a lie.”

Garrick reached for her.

Rowan's archers appeared on the opposite roof.

He stopped.

Celestine continued.

“I am not King Aldric's daughter.”

“I am not the rightful heir.”

She turned toward Elara.

“She is.”

The square erupted.

Celestine held up the crown.

“This belonged to her before either of us understood what it meant.”

Then she dropped it at Elara's feet.

Garrick exploded.

“You ungrateful little fool!”

His hand struck Celestine across the face.

The crowd gasped.

Elara saw something almost poetic in the moment.

The woman who had slapped her in the throne room was now standing in the same humiliation she had once inflicted.

But Elara did not smile.

She stepped between them.

“Touch her again and you answer to me.”

Garrick laughed.

“You?”

Elara faced the square.

“My name is Elara.”

She paused.

Then corrected herself.

“My name is Aurelia Marianne Valorian.”

The crowd became silent.

“And I am the daughter of King Aldric.”

A roar erupted.

Garrick drew his sword.

Before he could strike, a voice thundered from behind him.

“Then kneel before her.”

Everyone turned.

King Aldric stood in the doorway.

Weak.

Bandaged.

But alive.

Garrick's face went white.

The King stepped onto the balcony.

The city exploded into cheers.

Garrick backed away.

Then he grabbed Celestine.

His blade pressed against her throat.

“If I fall, she falls with me.”

Aldric stopped.

Celestine looked at Elara.

And whispered—

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