The Whispering Shadows
Rumors were like wildfire.
And Lord Magnus knew exactly where to strike the first match.
It started as a whisper. A passing comment. A lingering glance.
But by midday, the entire court was ablaze with the same hushed words—
Princess Eva is not the king's daughter.
---
The First Spark
"Did you hear?"
"I can hardly believe it, but—"
"Surely it's nonsense, but still—"
By the time the rumor reached the great hall, it had evolved into something monstrous. Some claimed Eva was the child of a rogue knight. Others swore she was a peasant girl the queen had smuggled into the castle. A few even insisted she had fae blood, which explained her improper nature.
No one knew who had started it.
Which made it all the more dangerous.
---
Eva's Sudden Popularity
Eva had spent the morning blissfully unaware of the chaos brewing around her.
Until she noticed the stares.
And the whispers.
And the way even the servants hesitated before addressing her.
Lucian, standing at her side, noticed it too. His gaze darkened.
Eva frowned. "What's going on?"
Lucian crossed his arms. "Something stupid."
They barely made it three steps before Lady Evelyn approached with a pitiful smile.
"Oh, my dear," she sighed dramatically. "You must be so overwhelmed."
Eva blinked. "By what?"
Evelyn hesitated, as if choosing her words carefully. "Oh, I—I just assumed you'd heard."
"Heard what?"
Evelyn gasped. "Oh, my! You haven't?" She clutched her chest, eyes twinkling with poorly concealed glee. "I shouldn't be the one to say it."
Eva's patience was thinning. "Say what, Lady Evelyn?"
Evelyn bit her lip, then leaned in, voice low. "That you're—" She gestured vaguely. "You know."
Eva stared. "I don't know."
Evelyn's lips twitched. "That you're… not exactly… royal."
Lucian exhaled slowly. "I will throw you into the nearest lake."
Evelyn gasped again, clearly thrilled by the drama. "Oh, I meant no offense, of course. It's just everyone's talking about it."
Eva's hands curled into fists. "Who started this?"
Evelyn tilted her head. "Does it matter?"
"Yes."
"Oh, well…" She shrugged. "No one knows. But you must admit, it's quite the mystery!"
Lucian took a step forward. Evelyn took a step back.
Eva grabbed his arm before he could do something regrettable.
"I appreciate your concern, Lady Evelyn," she said icily. "But if I were you, I'd stop talking."
Evelyn paled. "Oh! Of course! I—I was only trying to help—"
Eva and Lucian left before she could say another word.
Eva sighed. "This is bad."
Lucian nodded. "Very."
---
The Court Reacts
The entire court was in chaos.
The nobles who had once flattered Eva were now reevaluating their loyalties. The ambitious ones saw an opportunity. The paranoid ones saw a threat.
And Lord Magnus?
He watched from the shadows, satisfied.
His trap was working.
---
Meanwhile, Tobias and Isolde Had Other Problems
Tobias stormed into the kitchens, practically vibrating with anger.
"Did you hear what they're saying about Eva?" he demanded.
Isolde, who had been sneaking a slice of cake, blinked. "Huh?"
Tobias groaned. "They're saying she's illegitimate!"
Isolde nearly choked on her cake. "What?"
"Exactly!"
Isolde wiped her mouth. "But… that's ridiculous."
"Obviously!"
"But people believe it?"
"Of course they believe it! This is the court, Isolde! They'd believe a talking horse if someone told them it had noble blood."
Isolde frowned. "Do… do we have talking horses?"
Tobias buried his face in his hands. "You're missing the point."
Isolde shrugged. "I'm just saying. This place is weird."
---
Cedric and the Dangerous Game
Lord Cedric had heard the rumors, of course.
And he had to admit—he was impressed.
Magnus was playing a very dangerous game. But it was working.
Still, Cedric had his own games to play.
So when he found Isolde later that evening, he wasted no time.
"You look troubled," he mused, stepping beside her.
Isolde sighed. "It's… Eva. The rumors."
Cedric smirked. "Ah, yes. Quite the scandal, isn't it?"
She glared at him. "It's not a scandal. It's lies."
He tilted his head. "Does it matter?"
She stared. "Of course it matters."
He chuckled. "You're so honest. It's almost charming."
She scowled. "Almost?"
"Completely."
Her face burned.
Cedric's smirk deepened.
Another step forward.
---
The King's Response
King Aldric was not a fool.
He had ruled for decades. He had survived court politics. He knew when something was dangerous.
And this rumor?
It was dangerous.
So when his advisors tried to press him for answers, he silenced them with a single look.
And when the nobles whispered in his presence, he let them wonder.
Because the truth was simple.
Whether or not Eva was truly his blood…
She was his daughter.
And no one would take that from her.
---
The Trap Tightens
Lord Magnus sat in his chambers, a glass of wine in hand, listening to the distant murmurs of uncertainty.
He smiled.
The king had not denied the rumors.
Which meant doubt would grow.
Which meant his plan was working.
And soon, very soon…
The throne would be within his reach.