Chapter 14
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Evelina stepped into the Queen's private court, the scent of incense and polished wood curling through the air.
The room was quiet. Too quiet.
At the far end, seated upon a grand chair of dark velvet and gold, was Queen Ophelia Lorian.
She was not wearing a crown.
She did not need one.
Her presence alone commanded the room.
Evelina moved forward, every step measured.
She had played this game long enough to know the rules.
She did not bow too deeply.
She did not rush her greeting.
She stood before the Queen, poised and unshaken.
"Your Majesty."
A pause.
The Queen exhaled softly.
"You are quite skilled at causing disruption, Lady Evelina."
A test.
Evelina smiled.
"I was under the impression that disruption requires intent," she said lightly. "I assure you, I have simply been existing."
The Queen's lips curled.
"You do not simply exist, my dear."
She gestured toward the empty seat across from her.
"Sit."
Evelina obeyed.
A servant poured tea, the delicate porcelain clinking softly.
The Queen studied her as she lifted her cup, her blue eyes cool, assessing.
"Seraphina is growing desperate," the Queen said.
Not a question.
Not an opinion.
A fact.
Evelina set her own cup down.
"I had noticed."
The Queen hummed.
"And yet, you have not stopped her."
Evelina met her gaze.
"Should I have?"
A pause.
Then, the Queen chuckled.
"Ah," she murmured. "You truly are different from before."
She leaned forward slightly, the weight of her attention pressing against the air.
"You have my attention, Lady Evelina."
A beat of silence.
Then, the Queen's voice dropped lower—softer.
"Now, tell me."
A pause.
A flicker of something dangerous.
"Do you intend to take my throne?"
---
The question hung between them, thick as smoke.
Cassius, seated at the Queen's side, stilled.
Even the servants seemed to hesitate in their movements.
Evelina exhaled slowly.
This was it.
The Queen's true test.
Evelina smiled.
"If I had such ambitions," she said smoothly, "I certainly would not admit to them so easily."
The Queen's eyes gleamed.
"Smart."
A slow sip of tea.
A calculated breath.
Then—
"Power is not given," the Queen murmured. "It is taken. Stolen. Claimed."
She placed her cup down.
"And you, Lady Evelina, have been claiming quite a bit of it."
A silence stretched.
Then, softly—
"That makes you dangerous."
Evelina's fingers curled against the porcelain.
A threat.
A warning.
Or something else entirely?
Cassius exhaled.
"Mother," he murmured.
The Queen glanced at him, then back at Evelina.
"Tell me," she mused, "what do you want?"
A pause.
Evelina lifted her chin slightly.
"Freedom."
The Queen's brow lifted slightly.
"A dangerous thing to desire."
Evelina smiled faintly.
"Perhaps."
The Queen studied her for a long moment.
Then—
She laughed.
Cassius stiffened.
Evelina remained still.
The Queen's laughter faded into a soft hum.
"How fascinating."
She exhaled.
"Very well."
A pause.
Then, her voice shifted.
Colder. Sharper.
"You may remain in court, Lady Evelina. But remember—"
She leaned forward slightly.
"You are either useful to me."
A flicker of ice.
"Or you are nothing at all."
Evelina's pulse remained steady.
She met the Queen's gaze.
Then, with perfect control—
She smiled.
"I will keep that in mind, Your Majesty."
A beat of silence.
Then, the Queen leaned back, dismissing her with a flick of her hand.
"You may go."
Evelina rose gracefully, curtsied, and turned toward the exit.
She could feel Cassius's gaze on her back.
She did not look back.
She stepped out of the Queen's court, her pulse slow and steady.
And only when the doors closed behind her did she finally exhale.
The game had changed.
Again.
---
Cassius found her before she reached the palace gates.
"Evelina."
She did not stop.
"Lady Evelina."
She sighed and turned.
Cassius stood before her, his usual indifference nowhere to be seen.
Instead, he looked tired.
"You should be careful."
Evelina tilted her head.
"That seems to be a common sentiment these days."
Cassius exhaled.
"My mother does not make idle threats."
Evelina smiled.
"Neither do I."
Cassius studied her.
"You are playing a dangerous game."
Evelina's lips curled.
"So are you, Your Highness."
A pause.
Then, softer—
"I do not intend to lose."
Cassius exhaled, something unreadable flickering in his gaze.
"Neither do I."
A long silence.
Then, he took a step back.
"Goodnight, Evelina."
She watched him turn and disappear into the palace halls.
Then, slowly, she turned toward her waiting carriage.
Her fingers curled against her skirts.
The Queen had not dismissed her.
She had marked her.
And Seraphina would not stand idle for long.
Evelina exhaled.
Let them come.
She was ready.
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