The cryptic note haunted Eva throughout the day. If Lady Celeste truly was a traitor, her polished exterior and measured words were an impeccable disguise. Eva decided to proceed with caution—exposing someone like Celeste would require proof, and missteps could prove fatal.
A week later, an invitation arrived. Hand-delivered by a page, it bore Celeste's distinctive seal—a silver crescent moon embossed on deep green wax.
Lady Evalina,
It would honor me if you joined me for tea this afternoon. There are matters of importance I wish to discuss. Consider this a gesture of friendship in turbulent times.
The words felt like a trap, yet Eva couldn't refuse. Rejecting the invitation might draw suspicion or worse, confirm to Celeste that Eva was onto her.
By the time afternoon arrived, Eva found herself seated in Celeste's private parlor. The room was as elegant as its owner, filled with rich emerald drapes, gilded furniture, and an array of exotic flowers.
Celeste greeted her warmly, her smile disarming. "Lady Evalina, thank you for coming. I hope you don't mind, but I took the liberty of selecting a blend of tea I thought you'd enjoy."
Eva returned the smile, though her guard remained up. "You're too kind, Lady Celeste. I'm intrigued by what you wish to discuss."
Celeste poured their tea, her movements graceful and deliberate. "I thought it prudent to extend a hand of camaraderie. After all, your position as the prince's consort is… precarious. Court politics can be unkind to those who lack allies."
The words were spoken with a lightness that belied their weight.
"I'm fortunate, then, to have received your invitation," Eva replied smoothly. "But why offer your friendship now?"
Celeste's smile didn't falter, though her eyes gleamed with something sharper. "Because I recognize potential, Lady Evalina. And I despise wasted potential."
Eva sipped her tea, studying Celeste carefully. The woman's poise was flawless, but beneath it, Eva sensed calculation.
As the days passed, Celeste began making a show of her "support" for Eva. She spoke up for her during council meetings, defended her against veiled criticisms, and even invited her to join exclusive social gatherings. To the court, it appeared the two women were forming a genuine alliance.
But Eva wasn't fooled.
She kept a careful watch on Celeste's movements, noting the people she spoke to, the whispers exchanged during council breaks, and the moments when her mask of charm slipped ever so slightly.
One evening, as Eva wandered the palace gardens for some much-needed solitude, she stumbled upon a conversation she wasn't meant to hear.
Hidden behind a row of hedges, she spotted Celeste speaking with Lord Edrik. Their voices were low, but the urgency in their tones was unmistakable.
"…the plan must proceed before the next council session," Edrik was saying. "The longer we wait, the more entrenched she becomes."
"Patience, Edrik," Celeste replied, her voice a soft purr. "We mustn't act hastily. The slightest misstep could undo everything."
Eva strained to hear more, but their voices dropped further. She dared not move closer, fearing discovery.
When their conversation ended and the two conspirators parted ways, Eva's suspicions were confirmed. Celeste wasn't just a rival—she was a key player in the Shadow Thorn conspiracy.
Eva knew she couldn't confront Celeste or Edrik alone. She needed someone who could help her navigate this treacherous web of lies. Reluctantly, she turned to Alaric.
In the privacy of his study, she recounted what she had overheard.
Alaric listened intently, his expression growing darker with every word. "If what you're saying is true, then Celeste isn't just a threat to you—she's a threat to the entire kingdom."
"She's careful," Eva said. "She won't move unless she's certain she can succeed. But Edrik is impatient. If we push him, he might slip."
Alaric nodded, his mind already working through the possibilities. "I'll have someone watch him. In the meantime, keep Celeste close. Let her believe you trust her. The more she lets her guard down around you, the more we'll learn."
Eva hesitated, the thought of playing this dangerous game unsettling her. "And what happens when we have proof?"
Alaric's gaze hardened. "Then we strike. Swiftly and decisively."
Eva's patience was rewarded sooner than she expected. During another of Celeste's social gatherings, she noticed something unusual: a courier delivering a sealed message directly to Celeste.
Celeste's reaction was subtle but telling. Her fingers tightened around the parchment, and her smile faltered for the briefest moment. She excused herself shortly after, disappearing into a private room.
Eva seized the opportunity. Following at a distance, she waited until the corridor was empty before approaching the room. Pressing her ear to the door, she caught snippets of Celeste's conversation with someone on the other side.
"…we can't delay any longer. If the prince refuses to bend, we'll make him."
Eva's heart pounded as she quickly retreated. She needed to get this information to Alaric before it was too late.
---
A Deadly Turn
That night, as Eva prepared to meet Alaric, a shadow moved in her chambers.
"Going somewhere, Lady Evalina?" Celeste's voice was cool, but her eyes burned with fury.
Eva froze, realizing too late that she had underestimated her opponent.
"What do you want, Celeste?" she asked, keeping her voice steady despite the fear coursing through her veins.
Celeste stepped closer, her expression shifting from anger to amusement. "You've been busy, haven't you? Spying on me, whispering in the prince's ear. Tell me, what do you hope to achieve?"
Eva met her gaze, refusing to back down. "Justice. For the kingdom you're trying to destroy."
Celeste laughed softly, the sound chilling. "Oh, my dear, you're so naive. This kingdom has been rotting from within for years. I'm not destroying it—I'm giving it a chance to be reborn."
Before Eva could respond, Celeste leaned in, her voice a deadly whisper. "But you won't live to see it."