43: Uncovering the Betrayer

The castle was filled with whispers and secrets, and Alina's every move was watched. But she had learned to navigate the treacherous waters of court intrigue. Using the information she had gathered from the hidden library, she began to piece together a pattern.

Late one night, while combing through records in the hidden library, Alina discovered something that sent chills down her spine. A series of coded letters had been sent from the palace to the eastern provinces, each one signed with the symbol of a broken crown. It was the mark of Lord Alistair, the man Kael had once trusted, only to be betrayed by him.

Realizing that the conspiracy was far deeper than she had imagined, Alina decided to confront the one person she believed could help her—Kael himself. But he was still away at the eastern front, and time was running out.

As she made her way through the dimly lit corridors, she was suddenly grabbed from behind. A hand clamped over her mouth, and she was dragged into a dark alcove. Alina struggled, but her captor was too strong. She was thrown to the ground, the breath knocked out of her.

"Princess Alina," a cold voice said. "You've been sticking your nose where it doesn't belong."

It was Lord Cedric, one of the most influential nobles in Kael's court. He was known for his loyalty to the throne—or so everyone believed. But now, Alina could see the truth in his eyes. He was the traitor, the one feeding information to the rebels.

"You're the one behind the leaks," Alina hissed, her voice shaking with fury.

Cedric's lips curled into a cruel smile. "Clever girl," he said. "But it won't save you. You're too late. By the time Kael returns, this castle will be mine, and the Blood King will be nothing but a corpse."

Alina's heart raced. She had to warn Kael, but she was outnumbered and alone. As Cedric's guards closed in on her, she made a desperate decision—she would not go down without a fight.