Chapter 12 - THE FALL OF THE USURPER

Garrick lost his grip.

Celestine dropped.

Elara pulled her away.

Rowan's soldiers stormed the balcony.

Garrick fought desperately.

But the coup was over.

His soldiers saw Aldric alive.

Most surrendered.

Garrick was dragged to his knees.

Severin was brought from the dungeon.

For the first time in decades, the two architects of the conspiracy stood powerless before the King.

Aldric looked at them.

“Twenty-three years.”

His voice was quiet.

“You stole twenty-three years from my daughter.”

Severin lowered his head.

Garrick did not.

“I would do it again.”

Elara stepped forward.

Aldric looked at her.

The court expected rage.

They expected an execution order.

Elara wanted one.

For Mara.

For every hungry night.

For every moment she had lived afraid.

But Mara had taught her something else.

Power revealed people.

It did not have to destroy them.

“Give them a public trial.”

Garrick laughed.

“You're weak.”

Elara looked down at him.

“No.”

“I want every person in this kingdom to hear what you did.”

“I want every family whose son you bribed, every servant you threatened, every official you corrupted, and every person you lied to know exactly who you are.”

Garrick's smile vanished.

“Death would make you a story.”

Elara stepped closer.

“Truth will make you a warning.”

Aldric nodded.

“Take them away.”

The crowd below roared.

Celestine watched the soldiers drag away her biological father.

She felt nothing.

Then Aldric approached her.

Celestine lowered her eyes.

“I don't deserve forgiveness.”

Aldric stopped.

“No.”

She looked up, surprised.

“Forgiveness isn't something people deserve.”

“It is something others decide whether to give.”

Celestine looked toward Elara.

Elara touched the faint red mark still visible on her cheek from that first slap.

“I'm not there yet.”

Celestine nodded.

“I understand.”

“But someday.”

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Celestine's eyes filled with tears.

That was enough.