The King stood by the window, silent as dawn broke over the hills of Eldrin. His jaw clenched, eyes dark, shoulders heavy with grief. The warmth of the rising sun could not melt the cold in his chest.
Lily sat quietly on the velvet chair behind him, wrapped in a blanket, watching him. She hadn't slept since she told him everything. The image of the Queen's death haunted her like a shadow.
"She was more than a sister to me," the King finally said, voice low. "She raised me after our parents died. She taught me how to lead… how to love."
Lily swallowed. "She saved me from a life of begging and filth. I was just a girl who stole apples to survive. She caught me… but instead of punishment, she gave me food. Shelter. A name."
The King turned, his gaze locking onto hers. "She was everything. And he took her from us."
"The false king," Lily whispered. "Your sister's husband."
His eyes flared. "He doesn't deserve the word 'king.' He was nothing—just a lowborn knight before he married her. She gave him power. And he… used it to destroy her."
Lily's hands curled into fists. "He tortured her. He wrote the kingdom in his name. And when she was too weak to fight back, he threw her out like trash."
Silence again, broken only by the crackling fire.
"I swear to you, Lily," the King said at last, his voice hard as steel, "I will not rest until justice is served. My sister's name will not be forgotten. Her blood cries out—and I will answer."
Lily rose, unsteady. "I want to help you."
"You already have."
"No," she said, stepping closer. "I want to fight with you. For her. For every innocent person suffering under his rule."
He studied her. "You're brave."
"I'm angry," she corrected. "And tired of being powerless."
The King gave a faint nod. "Then stay. Rest today. Tomorrow… I'll show you where the rebellion begins."
---
That Night…
Lily lay in the soft bed of the royal guest chamber, unable to sleep. Her mind replayed the Queen's laughter, her final smile, her blood on the stones.
The wind outside howled, rattling the windows.
Suddenly—a creak.
Lily sat up, heart racing. She grabbed a small blade from beneath her pillow—a habit she'd kept since hiding with the Queen.
Footsteps echoed down the hallway.
Too soft for guards. Too quiet for servants.
She crept to the door and cracked it open.
A figure in black was moving toward the King's chambers.
Lily's heart pounded. Without a sound, she slipped out and followed.
---
At the King's Door…
The shadowy figure reached for the handle—but Lily moved fast.
"Stop!" she hissed, slamming her blade against the person's throat.
The hood fell.
A girl.
No older than Lily, with sharp eyes and a confident smirk.
"Well, well," the girl said calmly. "Looks like the King's little guest has teeth."
"Who are you?"
"I could ask the same."
"Answer. Now."
"I'm Rina. The King's spy."
"…Prove it."
The girl raised an eyebrow, then pulled out a small coin—stamped with the royal crest and a mark Lily had seen only once, on the Queen's ring.
"Secret council," Lily murmured.
Rina gave a small nod. "Looks like you're not just some village girl after all."
"I was protecting him."
"Good. You'll need to do that a lot more in the days to come."
"What do you mean?"
"There's a traitor in the castle."
Lily's breath caught.
Rina leaned in. "And if we don't find out who it is… your king might be the next to die."