Chapter 13 - THE DAUGHTER WHO CAME HOME

Three weeks later, the kingdom learned the entire truth.

The trial lasted nine days.

Witnesses came forward.

Documents were opened.

Secret accounts were discovered.

Severin confessed when confronted with the ledgers.

Garrick never did.

He blamed everyone except himself.

Both men were convicted of treason, conspiracy, kidnapping, murder, and attempted regicide.

They would spend the remainder of their lives imprisoned in separate fortresses.

Captain Darius received his own sentence.

The corrupted officers were removed.

Then came the question everyone had been waiting for.

What would happen to Celestine?

Some demanded punishment.

Others argued she had helped save the King.

Elara remained silent until the council asked for her judgment.

Celestine stood before her without a crown.

Without jewels.

Without servants.

For the first time, she looked like an ordinary young woman.

Elara studied her.

“You hurt me.”

Celestine nodded.

“Yes.”

“You humiliated people because you thought your title made you better than them.”

“Yes.”

“You benefited from a lie even if you didn't create it.”

“Yes.”

Elara paused.

“But when you learned the truth, you chose to expose it.”

Celestine's eyes filled.

Elara continued.

“You saved my life.”

“And you helped save our father.”

Celestine looked up at the word our.

Elara noticed.

She did not correct herself.

“You will lose your royal title.”

Celestine nodded.

“You will lose your claim to the throne.”

Another nod.

“But you will not be imprisoned.”

The court murmured.

Elara raised her voice.

“You will spend the next three years working with the Crown Relief Houses.”

Celestine looked confused.

Elara almost smiled.

“You're going to meet the people you used to pretend didn't exist.”

Celestine understood.

It was not revenge.

It was education.

“I accept.”

After court ended, Aldric found Elara alone in the old nursery.

She was holding Mara's wooden box.

“Tomorrow is the recognition ceremony.”

“I know.”

“Are you frightened?”

“Yes.”

Aldric smiled.

“So was I.”

“When?”

“The day you were born.”

Elara looked at him.

“I held you for less than an hour.”

“You were so small that I was terrified I'd break you.”

His smile disappeared.

“Then they told me you were dead.”

Elara saw tears in his eyes.

“I spent twenty-three years believing I failed you.”

Elara was quiet.

Then she placed Mara's box beside the cradle.

“You did fail me.”

Aldric closed his eyes.

“But you didn't know I was alive.”

He looked at her.

“And I'm tired of letting Severin steal days from us even after he's gone.”

Aldric could not speak.

Elara stepped closer.

She hugged him.

May you like

THE MAID’S DAUGHTER

“GET OUT OF MY HOUSE,” HIS FIANCÉE TOLD THE MAID—THEN THE MAFIA BOSS LOOKED AT HER LITTLE GIRL“Get out of my house. And take that...

**MY HUSBAND CALLED ME A “BARREN LEECH”—HE DIDN’T KNOW MY MONEY WAS KEEP...

My husband threw his wedding ring at my feet and told security to remove the “barren leech” from the ballroom.He had no idea he wa...

MY DAUGHTER’S NOTE STOPPED MY WEDDING—AND EXPOSED MY BRIDE

MY DAUGHTER SLIPPED ME A NOTE BEFORE “I DO”—AND EXPOSED MY BRIDE’S PLANPART 1 — TEN MINUTES BEFORE THE VOWS“Daddy, if you marry he...

For the first time.

The King broke down in his daughter's arms.