Chapter 5 - THE ENEMY INSIDE THE PALACE

Aldric doubled the guard.

It changed nothing.

By morning, one royal food taster was dead.

Elara's breakfast had been poisoned.

The message was obvious.

Someone inside the palace was still working for Severin.

Commander Rowan locked down every gate.

Aldric canceled court.

Then he made an announcement that shocked the kingdom.

Until Elara's identity was formally confirmed, no succession decision would be made.

Celestine heard the announcement from confinement.

She laughed.

Not because it was funny.

Because she finally understood Severin's plan.

“He doesn't need me anymore.”

Elara stood across from her.

“No.”

Celestine looked at the crown sitting on the table.

“He needed me until I became Queen.”

“Then what?”

Celestine touched the black ring.

“Then I probably would have died too.”

That afternoon, Elara and Celestine secretly met Commander Rowan.

They showed him Severin's letter.

Rowan wanted to inform Aldric.

Elara refused.

“If Severin has spies around my father, he'll know.”

Rowan hated the logic.

But he agreed.

They left the palace after sunset disguised as servants.

Saint Orlan Monastery stood two hours north.

They arrived shortly before midnight.

The building appeared abandoned.

Then voices came from beneath the chapel.

Elara, Celestine, and Rowan descended through a hidden stairway.

Severin was there.

So was Duke Garrick.

And twelve armed men.

Elara hid behind a stone column.

Garrick spoke first.

“The girl should have died with Mara.”

Severin's expression remained cold.

“I sent men.”

“You sent fools.”

Celestine closed her eyes.

Garrick continued.

“What about Celestine?”

“She knows too much.”

Celestine's breath caught.

“Once Elara is dead, Celestine dies too.”

Elara looked at her.

Celestine's eyes filled with tears.

Severin spread a map across the table.

“Tomorrow night, Aldric attends the memorial service.”

“The western guard belongs to us.”

“We kill him there.”

“Then blame Elara.”

Garrick smiled.

“The lost princess murders her father one day after returning.”

“The people will demand her execution.”

“And the throne?”

Severin smiled.

“Empty.”

Elara's stomach turned.

This was bigger than replacing one princess.

They wanted the kingdom.

Then Rowan's boot shifted.

A stone rolled across the floor.

Severin stopped talking.

Silence.

He slowly turned.

“Come out.”

Nobody moved.

Severin smiled.

“Princess Aurelia.”

Elara froze.

“I know you're there.”

Torches suddenly ignited behind them.

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Soldiers surrounded the stairway.

They had walked into a trap.