Chapter 4 - THE CROWN WITHOUT A PRINCESS

Celestine was confined to her chambers.

She lasted three hours.

Then she bribed a guard.

By midnight, she was inside Severin's private office.

The room had already been searched.

But Celestine knew something the soldiers did not.

She pressed the black stone in her ring against a carved symbol beneath Severin's desk.

A hidden compartment opened.

Inside was a letter.

Celestine read it.

Then read it again.

Her hands began shaking.

Her entire life had been constructed.

Severin had known she was not royal.

Duke Garrick had known.

Her tutors had known.

Even the physician who certified her lineage had been paid.

Celestine sank into the chair.

She had believed she was special.

Chosen.

Destined.

Instead, she had been a weapon.

The door opened.

Elara stood there.

Celestine immediately hid the letter.

“You're not supposed to be here.”

“Neither are you.”

Celestine stood.

“You've already taken my father.”

Elara laughed bitterly.

“I met him yesterday.”

“You took my crown.”

“I didn't want your crown.”

“Liar.”

Elara stepped closer.

“You want to know what I wanted?”

“A warm bed.”

“Food that lasted longer than one day.”

“Medicine when Mara was dying.”

“A life where she didn't wake up terrified every time horses stopped outside.”

Celestine said nothing.

Elara looked around Severin's office.

“You had everything I never had.”

“And somehow you're still the one who feels robbed.”

Celestine's face twisted.

“You think being raised here was love?”

Elara paused.

Celestine looked toward the door.

“Every meal was a lesson.”

“Every dress was chosen for politics.”

“Every friend was approved.”

“Every mistake was reported to Severin.”

“He didn't raise me.”

“He trained me.”

For the first time, Elara saw something other than cruelty in her.

Pain.

Then Celestine made a choice.

She handed Elara the letter.

Elara read it.

At the bottom was a location.

Saint Orlan Monastery.

And a date.

Tomorrow.

Severin was meeting Duke Garrick.

Elara looked up.

“We tell the King.”

Celestine shook her head.

“No.”

“Why?”

“Because Severin has people inside the King's guard.”

“How many?”

“I don't know.”

Celestine moved toward the window.

“But I know how we can find out.”

Elara stared at the woman who had slapped her twice.

“Why should I trust you?”

“You shouldn't.”

Celestine looked at her.

“But if Severin wins, neither of us lives long enough to argue about the crown.”

Before Elara could answer, a crossbow bolt shattered the window.

Celestine screamed.

Elara pulled her down.

The bolt buried itself in the wall.

Attached to it was a piece of paper.

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