Aria's POV
Halfway to the throne room, I realize my mistake.
Lord Hartley wouldn't text. He's seventy and refuses cell phones.
It's a trap.
I turn
Going somewhere, Ms. Winters?
Marcus steps from a doorway. Two guards flank him.
I was just
Meeting Lord Hartley? Unfortunately, he's not here. But the state dinner is about to begin. The queen insists.
The guards block my escape.
They escort me to the grand dining hall.
Packed. Nobles. Diplomats. All in formal attire.
I'm in a work suit.
Celestia sits at the head table. When she sees me, her smile is victorious.
A power play. Bringing me here underdressed. Humiliating me publicly.
Ms. Winters, so glad you could join us. She gestures to a seat far from the head table. Near the servants' entrance.
I sit.
Kael is beside Celestia. His jaw clenched. Furious but silent.
The dinner begins. Course after course.
Then I see her.
A young servant girl. Maybe seventeen. Carrying wine.
She's nervous. Shaking.
As she refills Celestia's glass, her hand trembles.
Wine sloshes over the rim. Spills onto the tablecloth.
The room goes silent.
Celestia stands slowly. You spilled wine on me.
I'm so sorry, Your Majesty. It was an accident
An accident? You're incompetent. Clumsy. Worthless.
The girl's eyes fill with tears. Please, Your Majesty. I need this job. My family
Should have raised you better. Fire her. Immediately.
Your Majesty, please the girl sobs.
Get out of my sight.
The girl stands frozen. Crying.
Nobody speaks. Nobody moves.
I should stay quiet.
But I can't.
I stand.
That's unnecessary, Your Majesty.
Every eye turns to me.
Celestia's smile is dangerous. Excuse me?
It was an accident. A small spill. There's no reason to fire her.
Are you telling me how to run my palace?
I'm saying kindness costs nothing.
Kindness? Celestia laughs. Is that what you think weakness is called?
I think cruelty reveals more about the cruel than the victim.
Gasps ripple through the room.
Celestia walks toward me. Every step deliberate.
My sister used to say things like that. About kindness. About compassion. Seraphina was just like you. A bleeding heart. And look where it got her.
Silence. Heavy. Dangerous.
Perhaps her kindness was strength you mistake for weakness, I say quietly.
Celestia's eyes flash. What did you just say?
I said perhaps being kind isn't being weak.
You're defending a dead woman. Again. Why?
Because she was right.
Was she? She's dead. I'm alive. I'm queen. I'd say that proves who was right.
Being alive doesn't make you right. It just makes you lucky.
Utter silence.
Celestia leans close. Whispers, You sound exactly like her. It's almost like she's standing here. Defying me. Just like she used to.
My heart pounds.
How tragic. Goodnight, Your Majesty.
I turn to leave.
Wait. The girl keeps her job. Because Ms. Winters asked so nicely. But you will join us for dinner. At the head table. Next to me. So I can watch you closely.
I walk to the head table. Sit next to Celestia.
Kael is on my other side. He leans close.
That was brave and stupid.
I couldn't just watch.
I know. That's what scares me. Because Seraphina couldn't either.
Celestia stands. Clinks her glass.
A toast. To Ms. Aria Winters. Who reminds me so much of my late sister. Sometimes I almost forget Seraphina is dead. When I look at Ms. Winters, it's like seeing a ghost.
Everyone raises glasses. The mood tense.
Celestia sits. Leans close.
I know what you're doing. Playing the kind lawyer. Winning hearts.
I'm not
Liar. You're too much like her. Too passionate. Too defiant. Too familiar. I'm going to figure out who you really are. And when I do... what happened to my sister will look merciful compared to what I'll do to you.
She stands. Kisses Kael's cheek. Marking territory.
Then she's gone.
Kael touches my hand. Are you okay?
She knows I'm hiding something.
Then tell me the truth. Let me help.
You can't.
A guard bursts in. Your Highness! Lord Marcus has fled the palace. He's taken twenty million from emergency funds. Gone.
Chaos erupts.
I text Nikolai.
Marcus ran. Do we have proof?
Yes. All documented. Anonymous tip sent to authorities. They're hunting him.
I smile.
Marcus is finished.
But I look up Celestia stands in the doorway.
Staring at me.
She just saw me smile when Marcus fled.
She knows.
She knows I had something to do with this.
And now I'm in more danger than ever.