Chapter 2 · Crown Of Betrayal: Love And Murder

I once believed in him, too.

So I set aside my girlish sentiments, donned a mask of greed, and navigated the web of power for him, gathering intelligence, eliminating rivals, and playing the part he needed.

When he granted me a fief, I quietly placed my own agents there. When he gave me the military seal, I used it to train a private army.

Everyone thought I was his trained hound, greedy, arrogant, and spoiled by his favor. But no one realized that beside the priceless necklace, our secret correspondence was hidden.

The military command token wasn't my lifeline; it was the linchpin of our entire scheme.

Our true goal was to overthrow the old order.

But now, before our plan could even come to fruition, he'd already had a change of heart. Evelyn was like a thorn in our side, tearing right through what was supposed to be a flawless scheme.

The carriage jolted to a sudden stop. "Princess Serena, we've arrived," someone called out.

I pulled back the window, and a biting wind laced with sand whipped across my face. All I saw was barren earth and ruined walls. It was hardly worth being called a fief.

"Princess Serena, this place..." Mandy's voice quivered, nearly breaking into tears.

I simply smiled.

I walked up to a nondescript stone tablet by the city wall and, according to the directions etched in my memory, twisted a carved symbol.

With a harsh creak, the ground split open, revealing a staircase descending into the unknown.

Mandy gasped, covering her mouth in astonishment.

I lifted my skirt and stepped down, calm and composed.

Torches burned along both sides of the stairs, illuminating the path below.

We descended a dozen steps. Then several shadowy figures materialized silently, holding lanterns.

As soon as they saw me, they dropped to one knee in unison, their voices steady and powerful. "Welcome, Your Highness," they said.

I nodded slightly. "Let's go. Welcome to our real kingdom."

In Raven's Nest, poverty was its disguise, and bandits were its shield. This was my true trump card, ten years in the making.

Inside the underground lair, the place was bathed in light. It was a world apart from the bleak wasteland above.

Grain and weapons were piled high, enough to equip a whole army. Maps lined the walls, every route and secret marked out, and all the threads of our intelligence gathered in this hidden sanctuary.

My confidant, the one they called Ghost, reported to me, "Your Highness, everything is ready."

"Any news from the capital?" I asked, shedding my luxurious royal attire and slipping into a form-fitting black combat outfit.

"General Hawthorne has constructed an opulent house for Lady Evelyn in his estate. Rumor has it that he'll soon petition the king to officially make her his consort," Ghost replied.

"A consort?" I scoffed, my laugh icy.

I wondered who Alexander tried to fool. Maybe he was putting on a show for those old geezers in court, who were waiting for him to mess up. Giving Evelyn a fancy title to prove he was not some cold-hearted bastard.

"Your Highness, General Hawthorne's move is probably meant to throw the enemy off guard, and maybe... to keep you safe," Ghost murmured.

"Protect me?" I picked up the black chess piece symbolizing the capital, rolling it between my fingers.

"Push me away to protect me? Ghost, you don't understand. When a man starts hurting you in the name of 'protection,' no matter his intentions, he's already decided to let you go," I said.

No matter what reasons Alexander had, he left me to weather the storm alone, while Evelyn stood at his side. That was the undeniable truth.

I didn't need his protection. My fate had always been mine to command.

"Keep a close eye on Evelyn," I said, slamming the chess piece down. "I want to know every move she makes, everyone she meets, and every word she says."

"Yes, ma'am," Ghost replied.

Chapter 2

I once believed in him, too.

So I set aside my girlish sentiments, donned a mask of greed, and navigated the web of power for him, gathering intelligence, eliminating rivals, and playing the part he needed.

When he granted me a fief, I quietly placed my own agents there. When he gave me the military seal, I used it to train a private army.

Everyone thought I was his trained hound, greedy, arrogant, and spoiled by his favor. But no one realized that beside the priceless necklace, our secret correspondence was hidden.

The military command token wasn't my lifeline; it was the linchpin of our entire scheme.

Our true goal was to overthrow the old order.

But now, before our plan could even come to fruition, he'd already had a change of heart. Evelyn was like a thorn in our side, tearing right through what was supposed to be a flawless scheme.

The carriage jolted to a sudden stop. "Princess Serena, we've arrived," someone called out.

I pulled back the window, and a biting wind laced with sand whipped across my face. All I saw was barren earth and ruined walls. It was hardly worth being called a fief.

"Princess Serena, this place..." Mandy's voice quivered, nearly breaking into tears.

I simply smiled.

I walked up to a nondescript stone tablet by the city wall and, according to the directions etched in my memory, twisted a carved symbol.

With a harsh creak, the ground split open, revealing a staircase descending into the unknown.

Mandy gasped, covering her mouth in astonishment.

I lifted my skirt and stepped down, calm and composed.

Torches burned along both sides of the stairs, illuminating the path below.

We descended a dozen steps. Then several shadowy figures materialized silently, holding lanterns.

As soon as they saw me, they dropped to one knee in unison, their voices steady and powerful. "Welcome, Your Highness," they said.

I nodded slightly. "Let's go. Welcome to our real kingdom."

In Raven's Nest, poverty was its disguise, and bandits were its shield. This was my true trump card, ten years in the making.

Inside the underground lair, the place was bathed in light. It was a world apart from the bleak wasteland above.

Grain and weapons were piled high, enough to equip a whole army. Maps lined the walls, every route and secret marked out, and all the threads of our intelligence gathered in this hidden sanctuary.

My confidant, the one they called Ghost, reported to me, "Your Highness, everything is ready."

"Any news from the capital?" I asked, shedding my luxurious royal attire and slipping into a form-fitting black combat outfit.

"General Hawthorne has constructed an opulent house for Lady Evelyn in his estate. Rumor has it that he'll soon petition the king to officially make her his consort," Ghost replied.

"A consort?" I scoffed, my laugh icy.

"Your Highness, General Hawthorne's move is probably meant to throw the enemy off guard, and maybe... to keep you safe," Ghost murmured.

"Protect me?" I picked up the black chess piece symbolizing the capital, rolling it between my fingers.

"Push me away to protect me? Ghost, you don't understand. When a man starts hurting you in the name of 'protection,' no matter his intentions, he's already decided to let you go," I said.

No matter what reasons Alexander had, he left me to weather the storm alone, while Evelyn stood at his side. That was the undeniable truth.

I didn't need his protection. My fate had always been mine to command.

"Keep a close eye on Evelyn," I said, slamming the chess piece down. "I want to know every move she makes, everyone she meets, and every word she says."

"Yes, ma'am," Ghost replied.