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The tension in the air was palpable as I made my way back to my chambers, my thoughts swirling with the news of the collapsed peace talks. The weight of the situation was heavy on my shoulders, but more than that, I could feel the walls closing in. The nobles had always been watching Evelina, but now, with the political landscape shifting so drastically, their eyes were even sharper, waiting for any sign of weakness.
I had to act quickly. The collapse of the peace talks wasn't just a diplomatic failure—it was an opportunity for someone to seize power. And with my own reputation hanging by a thread, I couldn't afford to wait and see what would happen. I needed to find out who was behind this sabotage and why.
That night, I couldn't sleep. The events of the day kept replaying in my mind, the image of Kael standing in the garden, his words hanging between us like a dangerous secret. *Stay out of trouble, Lady Evelina. This is only the beginning.*
I knew he was right. The peace talks were just the first domino to fall. Something larger was at play, and I had to get ahead of it before it consumed everything—and everyone—I was trying to protect.
I stood up from the plush armchair by the window, where I had been staring blankly into the night, and made a decision. I would get answers. And the first step was to speak with the one person who knew the palace's inner workings better than anyone: *Adele.*
Adele was one of the palace's senior maids, a woman who had served the royal family for as long as anyone could remember. She had a reputation for being quiet, observant, and unassuming—qualities that made her an excellent source of information, though not one you could openly ask for favors. She had seen the undercurrents of the palace for years, and I was certain she knew more about the current situation than anyone else.
I found her in the dimly lit corridor outside my chambers, a quiet figure moving silently between the shadows.
"Adele," I called, my voice low to avoid attracting attention.
The woman turned, her sharp, dark eyes catching mine. "Lady Evelina," she said, curtsying with practiced grace. Her gaze, however, didn't waver. She knew exactly what I needed.
"I need your help," I whispered, moving closer. "The peace talks have collapsed, and I need to know who is responsible."
Adele studied me for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Then, in a voice barely above a murmur, she replied, "That's not something you should be asking, my lady."
"I'm not asking as Lady Evelina," I said, my tone firm. "I'm asking as someone who needs to understand what's happening before it's too late."
Adele seemed to consider this for a moment before nodding slightly. "You're right. There's more at play than the collapse of the talks. The kingdom's stability is hanging by a thread, and some people are willing to do anything to tip the scales in their favor."
"Who?" I pressed.
"I can't say outright," she replied, her voice barely audible. "But there are rumors. Whispers about a faction within the court that seeks to undermine the peace at any cost. They see war as an opportunity to seize control, to expand their influence."
I swallowed hard, trying to keep my composure. "Do you know who they are?"
"I have my suspicions," Adele said, her eyes narrowing slightly. "But they're not easy to pin down. They're careful, methodical."
I felt a sharp pang of frustration. "What do I do now?"
Adele's expression softened, and she leaned in closer. "There's one place in the palace where all secrets eventually come to light. The archives. The royal records are kept there, and they hold more than just histories. They hold the plans, the letters, the deals that are never meant to see the light of day."
The archives. The thought of breaking into a restricted area sent a chill down my spine, but I knew it was the only way to find the answers I needed. The truth could be buried there, hidden among the royal records, and if I could find it, I might be able to stop the wheels of fate from turning any further.
"I can't do this alone," I said, my voice barely a whisper. "Will you help me?"
Adele glanced around, ensuring no one was near, before nodding. "I'll make sure the guards aren't watching the archives tonight. But you'll need to be quick. If you're caught, it won't just be your life at risk—it will be the lives of everyone who helped you."
I nodded resolutely. "I understand. Thank you."
With that, Adele turned and disappeared down the hallway, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I had no time to waste. If I was going to uncover the truth, I had to act quickly.
The royal archives were located in the deepest part of the palace, far away from the watchful eyes of the court. But getting there wasn't going to be easy. There were layers of security—guards, secret passages, and countless hallways to navigate. Even with Adele's help, I wasn't guaranteed to make it out unscathed.
But failure wasn't an option. Not now. Not when everything I had fought for was on the line.
I took a deep breath and set off, my heart racing in anticipation. The night was dark, and the palace was quiet—too quiet. But the stillness didn't fool me. I knew that somewhere, in the shadows, there were eyes watching my every move.
***
I made my way through the palace's twisting corridors, my mind focused on the task ahead. I could feel the weight of the palace's secrets pressing in on me as I moved closer to the archives. I had no idea what I would find once I got there—but one thing was certain: nothing in this palace was as it seemed.
And I was determined to uncover the truth, no matter the cost.
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