Chapter 2: The Secret That Destroyed a Dynasty
Chapter 2: The Secret That Destroyed a Dynasty
Lord Roland was arrested before sunrise.
He entered the throne room wearing chains but carrying the confidence of a man who believed power could still save him.
"It was necessary," he said calmly.
"The kingdom needed certainty."
"You were broken after the queen died."
"The people needed an heir."
King Aldric stared at him without speaking.
Roland continued.
"I never intended to kill the child."
"I paid a servant to leave her outside the palace walls."
"If fate spared her, then fate chose her."
Mara felt sick.
"So I was abandoned..."
Roland looked directly at her.
"I assumed winter would finish what I started."
The words echoed through the chamber.
Several nobles lowered their heads in disgust.
The elderly nurse began crying openly.
The king slowly rose from his throne.
"For seventeen years," he said quietly, "I mourned my daughter."
"For seventeen years, I buried my wife believing I had failed both of you."
His voice hardened.
"And for seventeen years, you sat beside me."
Roland finally looked afraid.
King Aldric pointed toward the guards.
"Strip him of every title."
"Confiscate every estate."
"His name will never again belong to this kingdom."
The guards dragged Roland away.
Then the king turned toward Celeste.
She had not spoken a word.
She fell to her knees.
"I was only a child."
"I didn't know."
The king believed her.
She had benefited from the lie...
but she had never created it.
"You will not inherit this throne," he said.
"But neither will you answer for your father's crimes."
Celeste burst into tears.
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For the first time in her life...
they were real.