Chapter 36: The Kiss, the Knife, and the Crown That Burns
The council chamber was colder than usual.
Too still. Too quiet.
Like breath held before a scream.
Elara stood in red.
Not the shade of submission.
The shade of war.
---
Scene I: The Queen Strikes First
"The southern trade routes have been rerouted without my signature," she said.
The nobles shifted. Whispered.
"The Chancellor claims the Duke of Rhain signed approval."
"He didn't."
She stepped forward.
"You forge my knight's seal, then try to play me?"
Her voice turned sharp.
"You forgot I learned to kill before I learned to curtsey."
And just like that—
The first noble fell.
Not to a blade.
To fear.
---
Scene II: Duke Cladus Confronts the Emperor's Edict
"The Emperor demands you return to the capital," said the envoy.
Cladus looked at the letter.
Didn't blink.
"Tell him I don't answer to cowards who send paper instead of swords."
"He's threatened to revoke your title."
"Then let him try," Cladus said. "But he'll need a new hand to sign the decree after I cut the old one off."
---
Scene III: Auren and Maelric, in the war salon
"You still tremble when I speak," Maelric murmured. "That's proof I trained you well."
Auren smiled.
Wider than usual.
"You taught me to lie so well… you believed I loved you."
"You do."
"I don't."
He poured Maelric a drink. Poisoned it with a kiss on the rim.
"You think I'm weak," Auren said.
"But weakness isn't loving the wrong man."
"It's staying."
Maelric's glass fell.
He didn't.
Not yet.
---
Scene IV: Elara & Auren, on the balcony at midnight
He met her eyes.
And for the first time—
Didn't smile.
"You think I'm a snake," he said.
"I think you bite yourself more than others," Elara replied.
Silence.
Stars above them.
The world sharpening around them.
And then—
She kissed him.
Once.
Not soft.
Not slow.
Like fire striking oil.
"That's for lying," she said.
"That's for helping."
"And that—" she added, stepping back, "was goodbye."
Auren didn't follow.
Didn't grin.
Didn't move.
"I think I would've bled for you," he whispered.
But she was already gone.
---
Scene V: Serina and Maelric, at the edge of the empire
"He's broken," Maelric gasped, clutching his chest. "He still fears me."
Serina looked east. Toward the queen's banner rising.
"No," she said.
"He doesn't fear you anymore."
"And that's the problem."