The palace was quiet, too quiet. Even with Minister Zhou in custody, the air remained thick with tension. Lian couldn't shake the feeling that her victory was temporary. Zhou had been a pawn, not the mastermind. The real traitor—the one pulling the strings—was still in the shadows.
Lian paced her chambers, her mind racing. Jian's reports from the south painted a grim picture. The Zhào Confederation's forces were regrouping, and the southern lords were rallying their armies. Time was running out.
A soft knock interrupted her thoughts. "Enter," she said, her tone sharp.
Kael stepped inside, his expression unreadable. "You summoned me, Princess?"
"Yes," Lian replied, motioning for him to sit. "We need to discuss the next step. Jian's victories have bought us time, but not much. If the Zhào Confederation is truly backing this rebellion, we need to cut them off at the source."
Kael nodded. "I've already sent word to my contacts in the Jin Kingdom. If we're lucky, they'll provide reinforcements. But there's something else you should know."
Lian's gaze narrowed. "What is it?"
Kael hesitated, then said, "Zhou wasn't acting alone. Someone within the council helped him smuggle information to the southern lords. I've been working to uncover who, but…"
"But?" Lian pressed.
Kael's voice dropped. "It could be someone you trust."
---
Shadows of Doubt
The words lingered in Lian's mind as she met with her council the next morning. Each face around the table was a mask of concern, loyalty—or deceit.
"We've received intelligence that the southern lords are preparing a full-scale assault," Lian announced, her voice steady. "If they reach the capital, we'll be outnumbered. Our best chance is to strike first."
The ministers murmured among themselves, their fear evident. Only Jian, freshly returned from his campaign, spoke with confidence.
"We can't wait for them to bring the fight to us," Jian said. "We must take the offensive. A targeted strike against their command center will cripple their efforts."
Lian nodded. "Agreed. But we can't ignore the threat within our own walls. Until we're certain the palace is secure, every plan we make is vulnerable."
Her words hung in the air like a challenge. No one dared to meet her gaze.
---
The Warning
That night, as Lian prepared for bed, a folded piece of parchment was slipped under her door. She unfolded it carefully, her heart sinking as she read:
The storm is closer than you think. Tonight, the blade will fall.
Her blood ran cold. Someone was planning an attack—tonight.
Lian dressed quickly, strapping her dagger to her waist. She left her chambers without a sound, her footsteps silent as she made her way toward Jian's quarters. She needed his counsel, his protection.
But as she turned a corner, she heard voices. Pausing in the shadows, she strained to listen.
"…tonight. The Princess won't see it coming."
Lian's heart pounded. The traitor was here, in the palace, plotting her death. She tightened her grip on her dagger and moved closer, her breath shallow.
---
A Fight for Survival
The voices led her to an abandoned storeroom. Lian peered inside, her blood boiling as she recognized the figures: two courtiers she had long suspected, and a third cloaked in shadow.
"The signal is set," one of the courtiers said. "Once she's dead, the council will have no choice but to accept Wei's allies."
The cloaked figure stepped forward, his voice low and commanding. "Do not fail me. The Zhào Confederation's plans depend on this."
Lian didn't hesitate. She stepped into the room, her dagger gleaming in the dim light. "You've made a grave mistake."
The courtiers froze, their faces pale with shock. The cloaked figure, however, turned slowly, his movements deliberate.
"Well, well," he said, his voice dripping with amusement. "The Princess herself. How brave of you to confront us alone."
Lian didn't respond. She lunged, her blade slicing through the air. The courtiers scrambled, but the cloaked figure drew his own weapon, parrying her strike with practiced ease.
The room erupted into chaos. Lian fought with every ounce of strength she had, her movements swift and precise. One of the courtiers fell, blood pooling beneath him, but the cloaked figure proved a formidable opponent.
"You can't win, Princess," he taunted, his blade narrowly missing her. "The kingdom is already lost."
"Not while I draw breath," Lian spat, dodging another attack.
The fight ended as quickly as it began. Lian's dagger found its mark, plunging into the cloaked figure's chest. He staggered back, his eyes wide with disbelief.
"Who sent you?" Lian demanded, her voice trembling with fury.
The man chuckled weakly, blood staining his lips. "You'll never stop them… the Zhào Confederation… will destroy you."
With that, he collapsed, lifeless.
---
A Narrow Escape
Lian stood amidst the carnage, her chest heaving. The attack had been thwarted, but the threat was far from over. The Zhào Confederation's reach extended deeper than she had imagined, and the palace was no longer safe.
Jian arrived moments later, his expression grim as he took in the scene. "Are you hurt?"
"No," Lian replied, her voice steely. "But this was only the beginning."
"We need to act now," Jian said. "The rebellion won't wait, and neither can we."
Lian nodded. "Then we strike first. The Zhào Confederation wants a war? We'll give them one they'll never forget."
As the first light of dawn broke over the palace, Lian prepared for the fight of her life. The storm had arrived, and she was ready to face it head-on.