Bella's eyes widened in shock as the figure stepped forward. It was Lady Victoria, one of the king's most trusted advisors.
"Lady Victoria?" Bella asked, her voice trembling with confusion. "What are you doing?"
Lady Victoria's face twisted in a cruel smile. "I'm doing what needs to be done," she said. "I'm taking what's rightfully mine."
Bella's mind reeled as she tried to process what was happening. Lady Victoria, a woman she had trusted and respected, was a traitor.
"Why?" Bella asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Lady Victoria's smile grew wider. "Because I'm tired of being in the shadows," she said. "I'm tired of being ignored and overlooked. I want power, and I'll do whatever it takes to get it."
Bella felt a wave of anger wash over her. How could Lady Victoria betray them like this?
"You'll never get away with this," Bella said, her hand on the hilt of her sword.
Lady Victoria laughed. "Oh, I think I will," she said. "You see, I have a little insurance policy. Something that will guarantee my success."
Bella's eyes narrowed. What could Lady Victoria possibly have planned?
And then, she heard a noise behind her. She turned to see Edward, his eyes cold and hard, standing behind her.
"Edward?" Bella asked, her voice trembling with confusion. "What's going on?"
Edward's face twisted in a cruel smile. "I'm afraid I've been playing a little game with you, sister," he said. "A game of loyalty and betrayal."
Bella's heart sank. Edward, her own brother, was a traitor.
"You're working with Lady Victoria?" Bella asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Edward nodded. "Yes, I am," he said. "And together, we're going to take down the kingdom and rule in its place."
Bella felt a wave of anger and betrayal wash over her. How could her own brother do this to her?
She drew her sword, ready to face whatever lay ahead. She would not back down. She would not give up.
For the sake of the kingdom, she would fight.
But as she looked at Edward, she saw something that gave her pause. A flicker of doubt in his eyes.
"Edward," she said, her voice soft. "Is this really what you want? To betray our family and our kingdom?"
Edward's expression faltered, and for a moment, Bella saw the brother she once knew.
But then, Lady Victoria's voice cut in, cold and hard. "Enough of this sentimentality," she said. "We have a kingdom to conquer."
And with that, Edward's expression hardened, and he drew his own sword.
Bella knew that she had to act fast. She charged forward, her sword flashing in the light.
The battle was on.