Chapter 15: The Unraveling Plot
The next morning, Alina received an urgent message from Liora. There were whispers that Lady Vivienne was planning something far more dangerous than mere slander. Alina hurried to Kael's private study, hoping to warn him before it was too late.
But when she arrived, she found Kael already deep in conversation with his advisors. They turned to her as she entered, their expressions wary.
"Speak," Kael commanded, his tone colder than usual.
"There is a plot to assassinate you," Alina said quickly. "Lady Vivienne is behind it. I overheard her servants discussing it."
The room erupted into chaos, but Kael silenced everyone with a single raised hand. His eyes never left Alina's face. "If you are wrong, it will be your life on the line," he warned.
"I am not wrong," she insisted, meeting his gaze without flinching.
Kael nodded slowly. "Then let us see if you are truly as clever as you claim."
And with that, the game had entered a new, deadly phase.