A Test of Loyalty

The grand hall of the royal palace was an overwhelming sea of marble and gold, with towering columns and an intricately painted ceiling that depicted the kingdom's glorious victories. Leona had barely been inside this room before, always lingering at the edges as a servant. Now, she stood frozen just past the doorway, her pulse racing as she tried to calm her frayed nerves.

A summons to the royal court rarely boded well.

Ahead, seated upon the ornate golden throne, was King Alaric. Gone was the benevolent ruler of the novel. His eyes gleamed with calculation, and the sharp set of his jaw betrayed the corruption that now tainted his character.

To his left stood Cedric, his face stormy as he faced his father. Vivienne, too, was present, standing demurely a few paces behind Cedric, her hands clasped tightly before her. Her composed demeanor betrayed no hint of the turmoil Leona knew was boiling beneath the surface.

Leona's instincts screamed at her to turn back, but the clear command of the king was that all key members of the court were to attend.

The king's voice thundered across the hall, pulling Leona from her thoughts.

"Cedric, as crown prince, your duty is not only to the kingdom but also to its stability. A union with Lady Vivienne would strengthen the ties between our house and hers. It is a necessity.

Leona winced at the tone of the king. This wasn't a request-it was an edict.

But Cedric, as always when his mind was set on something, refused to back down.

"With all due respect, Your Majesty," he said, his voice firm, "marriage is not a political tool. It's a sacred bond, one that I will not enter into for the sake of convenience."

The court gasped, murmurs rippling through the room like a restless tide.

Leona's stomach churned. This was bad. Very bad.

In the original story, Cedric was supposed to agree to the engagement, setting the stage for his slow-blooming romance with Vivienne. His refusal wasn't just a deviation; it was a direct threat to the fragile framework of the narrative.

The robotic voice in her mind chimed in, its monotone devoid of any sympathy: "Critical deviation detected. Probability of collapse increasing. Immediate intervention required."

Leona clenched her fists, forcing herself to remain calm. She needed a way to fix this—fast.

The king's voice turned cold. "You forget your place, boy. I am not asking for your opinion. This is an order."

Cedric's jaw tightened. "Then I must respectfully refuse."

The murmurs grew louder, some of the nobles openly whispering their disapproval. Vivienne's face paled, her calm façade cracking as she glanced between the king and Cedric.

Leona's heart bled for her. First, Vivienne had to go through so much, and now she was being dragged right into the eye of another storm.

Before the king could say anything, Leona stepped forward, drawing all eyes unto her. Even she was startled by her sudden movement, but she knew she didn't have any other choice.

"Your Majesty," she said, trying to keep her voice steady while her throat lumped up. "If I may speak?

The king's keen eyes were fixed on her, one brow arched. "And who are you to break in on this conversation?"

"I am but a humble servant," said Leona, her head bowed in respect. "Perhaps it is not disobedience in the prince's concerns, sire, but to protect him because of a care with regards to Lady Vivienne."

He raised an eyebrow over the word "protect".

Leona took a steadying breath. "Prince Cedric is a man of honor; he would never wish to bring harm to Lady Vivienne by forcing her into a union without mutual affection. Perhaps time is what they need to grow a bond that will strengthen the kingdom as Your Majesty desires.

The courtroom fell silent as all eyes moved between Leona and the king. It was a dangerous gamble, but she hoped it would buy her time to nudge Cedric back onto the right path.

The king's expression remained unreadable for several long moments before he finally leaned back in his throne.

"Very well," he said. "You make an interesting point. They shall have time. But do not mistake this reprieve for leniency. The engagement will happen, and I expect no further resistance."

Relief surged through Leona, who showed no expression.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," she said, and with a low bow stepped backward into the shadows.

As the session closed and nobles began to file away, Leona made a path through to Cedric. He was by one of the tall windows in the great hall, staring out into the sprawl of gardens beyond the glass. His back was to her.

"You play a very dangerous game, Leona," he said without turning around.

Leona bit her lip. "I could say the same to you. Refusing the king-do you have any idea what kind of risk you're taking?"

Cedric turned to face her, his eyes searching hers. "I don't care about risks. I won't marry Vivienne just because my father commands it.

"You are not thinking clearly," Leona said, her voice low. "This is not just about you. It's about the kingdom, about keeping the peace. You have a responsibility—"

"My responsibility is to my heart," Cedric cut in, his voice low as he stepped closer. "And my heart doesn't belong to Vivienne. It belongs to you."

Leona's breath caught. His words hung in the air like a challenge, daring her to respond.

"Cedric," she said softly, "this… this isn't how things are supposed to be."

"Supposed to be?" he repeated, a bitter smile tugging at his lips. "Why does everyone insist on telling me what I should feel, what I should do? For once, I'm making my own choice."

Leona's chest contracted. The sincerity in his voice was unmistakable, and for a moment, she wavered. But then the robotic voice's warning echoed within her mind: "Deviation critical. Alignment must be restored."

"I cannot," she whispered, taking a step back. "I cannot be the reason you abandon your duty.

Cedric reached for her hand, his grip firm but gentle. "You're not abandoning anything. You're the one thing in this world that feels real."

The vulnerability in his words nearly broke her resolve. But she knew what was at stake.

"You have to marry Vivienne," she said, her voice trembling. "For the good of the kingdom."

Cedric's eyes darkened. "Is that what you truly believe? Or is it what you've convinced yourself to say?"

Before Leona could respond, Vivienne approached, her expression uncertain.

"Cedric," she said softly, "the king is looking for you. He doesn't seem pleased."

Cedric glanced at Vivienne, his gaze softening slightly, but the tension between them was palpable.

"I'll handle it," he said curtly before turning back to Leona. "This conversation isn't over."

As he walked away, Leona turned to Vivienne, guilt gnawing at her.

"Vivienne," she began, but the other woman held up a hand.

"I know what you're trying to do," Vivienne said quietly. "You're trying to fix things. But Cedric's heart… it's already made its choice."

Leona swallowed hard. "I'm trying to protect everyone—"

"Sometimes saving people means allowing them to make their own mistakes," Vivienne said, her voice tinged with melancholy. "Even if it hurts."

Leona watched as Vivienne walked away, her words lingering in the air like a challenge.

That night, alone in her room, the robotic voice returned.

"Probability of collapse increasing. Realignment efforts insufficient."

Leona buried her face in her hands, the weight of the world weighing down upon her shoulders. She was running out of time, out of options.

But giving up just wasn't an option. If she was going to fix this, she would have to find a way to rewrite not just the story—but the hearts of those within it.