The days grew colder, the air thick with tension as the King and Lily began to plan their next move. Every corner of the castle seemed to whisper of impending conflict. Behind the walls, the truth was darker than they realized.
Lily sat at the King's war table, carefully studying the map of the enemy kingdom. The false king's stronghold lay deep within enemy territory, a fortress surrounded by mountains and forests. She traced her finger along the path leading to it.
"How do we get there?" she asked, looking up at the King.
He frowned, his thoughts far away. "We don't go in blind. We need a way in—inside information."
A knock on the door interrupted them.
"Enter," the King called, not turning from the map.
Rina slipped in, her expression serious. "I've gathered more intel," she said, handing over a small parchment.
The King read it quickly, then looked up with a mixture of frustration and disbelief. "A traitor within my own court?"
Rina nodded. "We suspected it, but now we have confirmation. Someone is feeding information to the false king. He knows our movements. He knows our plans."
Lily's blood ran cold. "How long has this been going on?"
Rina's lips tightened. "Too long. We've traced the leaks back to one of the King's trusted advisers. Someone close."
The King slammed his fist on the table, the sound echoing through the room. "I should have known. I should have seen this. The betrayal… it runs deeper than I imagined."
Lily's mind raced. A traitor in the castle. Someone who had been helping the enemy all along.
"Who?" she asked, her voice low.
Rina glanced at the King, then back at Lily. "It's someone with direct access to the King. His most trusted confidant. Count Leandro."
Lily's breath caught in her throat. "Leandro? But he's—"
"A snake in the grass," the King interjected bitterly. "I've trusted him for years. And now… he's been working against me."
Lily stood, her heart pounding. "We have to confront him."
"Not yet," the King said, his voice dark with resolve. "If we confront him now, we risk exposing everything we've worked for. We need to be smarter than that."
Rina stepped forward, her eyes glinting with an idea. "We set a trap."
---
Later That Night – The Trap is Set
The castle was quiet, but underneath that silence, there was a storm brewing.
Lily stood outside the secret chamber, her heart racing. She had spent the last hour with Rina, preparing for this moment—preparing for the confrontation. Count Leandro had taken the bait. He believed they were about to send a message to the false king, but instead, they were leading him right into their grasp.
Lily glanced back at the King. He had taken his position in a hidden room, waiting for the moment to strike.
"Are you ready?" Rina asked, her voice low.
Lily nodded. "Ready."
As the sound of footsteps echoed down the corridor, Lily's hand tightened around the hilt of her sword. She had come so far in her training, but tonight, it wasn't just for her—it was for the Queen, for justice, for the King. It was for everything they had lost.
Count Leandro's shadow appeared in the dim light of the hallway. He approached the chamber, his movements slow and cautious, unaware of the trap waiting for him.
Lily stepped out from the shadows, her blade raised. "Count Leandro," she called, her voice calm but filled with fury.
The count froze, his eyes darting around, trying to locate the source of the voice.
"How long did you think you could hide it from us?" Lily's voice echoed, her fury turning cold.
Leandro turned slowly, his face paling as he recognized her. "You—"
"Don't speak," she cut him off. "You've betrayed the King, your King."
The count's eyes narrowed, calculating. "You're too late. The false king is already one step ahead."
"Not if I stop you first," Lily said, her grip tightening on her sword.
Leandro smirked, his expression twisting into one of amusement. "You think you can stop me? I'm untouchable. No one will believe your lies. The false king is already the power here."
Just as he spoke, the King emerged from the shadows, his own blade drawn, eyes burning with fury.
"Enough," the King said, his voice a low growl. "You have betrayed me, Leandro. And now you will pay the price."
Leandro took a step back, his face contorted with anger and fear. "You think you can defeat me? I've been working with the false king for years. I know your every move."
Lily's heart raced. She could feel the tension building, the inevitable fight between them.
"I know you too," the King said coldly. "And you've underestimated us."
Leandro lunged forward with a snarl, but the King was faster. The clash of metal echoed through the hall, the sound of betrayal ringing louder than ever.