"Do you swear this was sealed before it reached the King's table?"
"Yes," the steward said. "No hand touched it after it left the kitchens."
Queen Isolde did not answer at once. She looked at Charlotte instead. "Then speak."
Charlotte stepped forward. "The wine was not poisoned in the kitchens. It was altered after the cup was poured."
The chamber went quiet. The King lay unconscious behind the screen, physicians murmuring beyond sight. Guards stood rigid, hands on hilts. Prince Adrien did not move, but his attention never left Charlotte.
"One cup only?" the Queen asked.
"Yes," Charlotte said. "The bottle was clean. The tray was clean. The cup was not."
A lord scoffed. "You expect us to believe a maid's guess over—"
Adrien cut in. "You will listen."
The Queen raised a hand. Silence returned.
Charlotte continued. "The poison was slow. Not meant to kill. Meant to weaken. Whoever did this wanted panic, not a corpse."
"And how would you know that?" another noble asked.
"Because the dosage was measured," Charlotte said. "Too careful for desperation."
The Queen nodded once. "Who served the King?"
A servant was brought forward, trembling. He denied everything. The Queen dismissed him with a glance.
"Bring the four princesses," she said.
They arrived together, calm on the surface, watchful beneath it. Gifts and courtesy were forgotten now. The air had changed.
Princess Eleanor of Westhaven spoke first. "This is an insult. We are guests."
"You are suspects," the Queen replied. "All of you had access."
Princess Margaret smiled faintly. "So did half this court."
"None of them stood beside the King," Charlotte said. "You did."
Princess Beatrice laughed. "Now the maid speaks again."
Adrien stepped closer to Charlotte. "Careful."
Princess Alice said nothing. Her eyes stayed on Charlotte.
The Queen looked to Charlotte. "Go on."
"The poison was carried on a ring," Charlotte said. "Powdered. Dissolves on contact. Brushed against the rim."
Several heads turned.
Princess Eleanor lifted her hand slightly. "You accuse us without proof."
Charlotte shook her head. "I accuse no one. I observe."
The Queen said, "Remove your rings."
One by one, they did. Gold and jewels were placed on the table. Light caught on them sharply.
Charlotte's gaze stopped.
"That one," she said.
Princess Alice's smile did not change. "Explain."
"The inner band is scratched," Charlotte said. "Hollowed."
Princess Alice shrugged. "Fashion."
Adrien reached for the ring. "May I?"
Princess Alice hesitated, then let go.
The physician returned from behind the screen. "Your Majesty. The King will live."
The chamber exhaled.
The Queen picked up the ring. "Search it."
A guard broke the seal inside. Powder dusted the table.
No one spoke.
Princess Alice finally said, "You have no idea what you are doing."
The Queen replied, "I know exactly."
Princess Beatrice stepped back. "This is madness."
Adrien said, "You endangered a guest king."
Princess Alice looked at Charlotte. "I misjudged you."
Charlotte met her gaze. "So did I."
The Queen turned to the guards. "Confine Princess Alice. Quietly."
As she was taken away, Princess Eleanor said, "This will not end here."
"No," the Queen said. "It ends now."
When the chamber cleared, only the Queen, Adrien, and Charlotte remained.
"You acted without fear," the Queen said.
Charlotte answered, "I acted because delay would have killed him."
Adrien said, "You saved the kingdom from war."
Charlotte looked down. "That was not my aim."
The Queen studied her. "That is why you are dangerous."
Charlotte stiffened.
The Queen continued, "And why I will keep you close."
Adrien's voice was firm. "She will not be used."
The Queen looked at her son. "Then protect her."
Adrien turned to Charlotte. "I will."
For the first time, Charlotte believed him.
Outside, bells rang softly, announcing the King's survival. Inside, Charlotte understood something else.
The game had changed.
And she was no longer invisible.