Sophia's heart was racing as she faced the Queen. She could feel the tension in the room, the weight of the truth hanging in the air.
"You can't deny it, Your Majesty," Prince Henry said, his voice firm. "We have evidence of your involvement in the plot to kill Sophia's father and take the throne."
The Queen's expression didn't change, but Sophia saw a flicker of anger in her eyes. "I don't know what you're talking about," she said, her voice cold.
Sophia felt a surge of anger. How could the Queen be so calm, so brazen? She took a step forward, her fists clenched. "Don't lie to us, Your Majesty," she said, her voice shaking with rage. "We know the truth. You're going to pay for what you've done."
The Queen's eyes narrowed, and she raised a hand, signaling to the guards. "Take them away," she ordered.
The guards moved forward, their hands reaching for Sophia and Prince Henry. Sophia felt a surge of fear as she realized they were trapped.
But Prince Henry was ready. He grabbed her hand, and they made a run for it, dodging the guards and racing through the palace corridors.
They burst out into the gardens, gasping for breath. Sophia could hear the guards behind them, their footsteps echoing off the walls.
"We have to get out of here," Prince Henry said, his voice urgent. "The Queen will stop at nothing to silence us."
Sophia nodded, her heart pounding in her chest. They ran through the gardens, the darkness swallowing them whole.
But as they reached the edge of the gardens, Sophia felt a cold metal barrel pressed against her temple.
"Don't move," a voice whispered in her ear.
Sophia's heart froze as she realized they had walked into a trap. The Queen's guards had been waiting for them.
The guard's grip tightened, and Sophia felt a surge of fear. She was going to die.
But then, a shot rang out, and the guard's grip loosened. Sophia spun around, her eyes scanning the darkness.
And then she saw him. James, the former palace guard, standing with a gun in his hand, his eyes fixed on the Queen's guards.
"It's over," he said, his voice cold. "Let her go, or face the consequences."
The guards hesitated, and Sophia took advantage of the distraction. She broke free and ran, Prince Henry by her side.
They didn't stop running until they were safe, gasping for breath in a hidden alleyway.
"It's not over," Prince Henry said, his eyes fixed on Sophia's. "The Queen will never stop. We have to take her down, once and for all."
Sophia nodded, her heart pounding in her chest. She was ready. She was ready to fight for her life, for her future, and for justice.
But as she looked at Prince Henry, she knew that their lives were at stake. The Queen would stop at nothing to silence them, and they had to be prepared to face whatever came next.
To be continued...
New Plot:
- Sophia and Prince Henry try to gather evidence to take down the Queen
- The Queen launches a desperate counterattack, putting Sophia and Prince Henry in greater danger
- James's true loyalties are revealed, and the stakes are raised in the battle for the throne