The woman's warning lingered in Eva's mind long after she had been escorted to the palace's dungeons. Alaric had ordered a full investigation into her claims, though the skeptical glances exchanged between the nobles suggested most of them believed the matter resolved.
Eva wasn't so sure.
The next morning, as Eva prepared for another day of navigating the treacherous waters of court life, her maid, Lilia, appeared with a tray of breakfast and a sealed envelope.
"This arrived for you, my lady," Lilia said, setting it on the vanity. Her expression was neutral, but Eva caught the slight furrow of her brow.
"Thank you, Lilia," Eva said, watching as the young maid left.
Once alone, Eva examined the envelope. It was unmarked, the seal an unfamiliar symbol: a black rose with a dagger through its center. Her pulse quickened as she opened it and unfolded the parchment inside.
The message was brief but chilling:
Beware the serpent in the council. Not all who smile are your allies.
The handwriting was precise, the strokes sharp and deliberate. Whoever had written it wanted her to take the warning seriously.
Eva read it twice before tucking it into the folds of her gown. She had no idea who had sent it or what their motives might be, but she couldn't afford to ignore it.
---
Later that day, Eva found herself seated beside Alaric in the grand council chamber. The room was filled with nobles, their voices a cacophony of power plays and subtle barbs.
"Order," Alaric called, his voice cutting through the noise. The room fell silent as all eyes turned to him.
"We have a pressing matter to discuss," he began. "The supposed intruder apprehended last night claims there are those within this court conspiring against Lady Evalina. I expect full cooperation in uncovering the truth."
Murmurs rippled through the chamber. Lord Edrik was the first to speak. "Your Highness, with all due respect, this sounds like the desperate ramblings of a common criminal. Surely our resources would be better spent elsewhere."
"Perhaps," Alaric replied, his tone cool. "But if there's even a chance she's telling the truth, we cannot afford to dismiss it."
Eva scanned the faces around the table, searching for any hint of guilt or unease. Most of the nobles appeared indifferent, but one figure caught her attention: Lady Celeste.
Celeste's expression was carefully composed, but Eva noticed the slight tension in her jaw, the way her fingers drummed against the table.
"Do you have something to add, Lady Celeste?" Eva asked, her voice steady but pointed.
Celeste's eyes met hers, a flicker of something unreadable passing through them. "Only that such accusations should be handled delicately, my lady. Baseless claims can cause unnecessary discord."
"True," Eva said, holding her gaze. "But so can ignoring potential threats."
The tension between them was palpable, and Eva couldn't shake the feeling that Celeste knew more than she was letting on.
That night, unable to sleep, Eva decided to visit the dungeons. She needed to speak to the captured woman again, to understand the truth behind her warning.
The guards hesitated at first but eventually allowed her through, their deference to her new position begrudging but effective.
The woman was sitting on the cold stone floor of her cell, her arms wrapped around her knees. She looked up as Eva approached, her eyes wary but determined.
"Why are you here?" the woman asked.
"I need answers," Eva said, her voice low. "You said there are those in the court who wish to see me fail. Who are they?"
The woman hesitated, glancing around as if expecting someone to overhear. Then she leaned closer, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I don't know all their names, but I've heard whispers. They call themselves the Shadow Thorn—a group of nobles who oppose the prince's alliances and see you as a threat to their plans."
Eva frowned. "What plans?"
"To take control of the throne," the woman said. "They believe the prince is weak, too focused on alliances and reforms. Your presence threatens their grip on power."
Eva's blood ran cold. She had expected resistance, but not outright treason.
"Why warn me?" she asked.
The woman's gaze softened. "Because I've seen what they're capable of. And because... you remind me of someone I once knew."
Before Eva could press her further, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the corridor.
"You shouldn't be here, my lady," a guard said, his tone firm but not unkind.
Eva nodded, stepping back from the cell. As she left, the woman's final words lingered in her mind:
"Trust no one, Lady Evalina. Not even those closest to you."
The following day, Eva received another letter, this one slipped under her door in the early hours of the morning. It bore the same seal as before and contained a single line:
The serpent wears green.
Eva's breath caught. Green—like the gown Celeste had worn during their first encounter.
Was it a coincidence? Or was Lady Celeste truly the serpent in the council?
Eva knew she had to tread carefully. One wrong move could cost her everything.