The Blade and the Coin

Night had fallen. Lyra settled Sylas in a quiet, unused wing of the palace.

 The room hadn't been touched in a long time. There was dust in the air. It smelled old and empty. Everything was cold and still. It was nothing like their heated reunion the night before.

 The next morning, just as the first light came through the windows, a loud commotion broke the silence.

 "Your Highness, someone from the palace is here."

 A maid called urgently from outside the door.

 Lyra opened her eyes. Last night's candlelight and words were still in her mind. But reality pulled her back right away.

 She got up calmly. She changed into a formal court gown. It was heavy and elaborate. Gold threads shimmered in the morning light.

 She followed the eunuch through a long hallway. The palace felt cold and grand. Even the floor seemed to speak of power and control.

 As soon as she entered the King's study, a wave of anger hit her.

 "You still have the nerve to come back?"

 The king sat behind a large rosewood desk. His voice was low and full of fury.

 "Do you have anything to say for yourself?"

 Lyra didn't flinch. She didn't even look at him.

 "I was protecting the honor of House Thorne," she said.

 "Kael Varyn, your so-called war hero, spent the night of his victory celebration in a villa outside the city—with his mistress."

 "He didn't just insult me. He insulted you. He insulted the entire royal family."

"Enough!"

 The King slammed a crystal wine glass to the floor. It shattered loudly. The dark wine splashed onto Lyra's dress. The stain stood out against the white fabric.

 She didn't blink.

 Compared to what she felt inside, that stain meant nothing.

 "Calm yourself, your Majesty."

 Her voice was steady. It sounded like nothing had happened.

 "There's something more urgent than this family issue. It concerns the entire kingdom."

 She changed the subject quickly, pulling the King's attention toward something else.

 "Fake coins have appeared in the market."

 The king's expression froze. His anger turned into shock.

 "Do you have proof?"

 Lyra gave a look to the maid beside her.

 The maid stepped forward. She held out a small velvet box.

 Inside were two identical silver coins. Under the study's light, they looked exactly the same. Both had the King's face engraved on them. Both had clean edges and fine details.

 "One of these is real. The other is fake."

 Her voice was clear.

 "No one can tell them apart just by looking. Both are made of silver."

 She nodded at the maid, who took out a small sharp knife.

 "Watch this."

 The maid cut the first coin. The inside was shiny. It was solid silver.

 She cut the second one. The inside was dark.

 "That's because the fake one uses impure silver. It's mixed with cheap metals. Only the surface is silver-coated."

 The king's breathing grew heavier.

 The royal family controls the silver mines, the refining process, and the mint. These things are the core of royal power.

 If fake coins exist, there are only two explanations.

 Either someone inside the system leaked the secret.

 Or someone found new silver and copied the process.

 Either way, it meant one thing.

 A traitor.

 "Damn it!"

 The king slammed his fist on the table. The heavy desk shook.

 "How did you find out? Why didn't you report this sooner?"

 "A few days ago, I dropped a coin by accident," Lyra said. "It hit a rock. I saw the dark metal inside."

 "I was suspicious, but I needed to be sure. This is serious. If I was wrong, it could cause panic. I had to check first."

 The king's anger faded. He was listening now.

 "What else did you find?"

 "I tracked one coin to a servant who worked in a rice shop," Lyra said. "I caught him. But before I could question him, he killed himself."

 She paused.

 "That rice shop belongs to House Varyn."

 The room fell silent.

 The king stared at Lyra. His eyes were sharp.

 "House Varyn's business is under your control. Are you saying this isn't your doing?"

 "Father, if I was behind it, why would I expose it?"

 "People don't destroy money with your face on it. It's a crime. No one would break a coin just to check."

 "If I stayed quiet, no one would ever know. Not until it was too late."

 "Also, yes, I manage the shop in name. But I've never had access to the real records or people. The old men in that house never trusted me. They only smiled at me when it helped them profit."

 Her words were clear and solid. Her logic was perfect.

 The king's doubt slowly faded. He believed her.

 "Fine. Keep investigating. Quietly. No one else can know yet."

 Lyra relaxed. The moment was right.

 "You are wise, Father."

 "And since Kael Varyn has broken trust—and may be a traitor—I ask that you end our marriage contract."

 "The royal family must not be shamed."

 The king thought for a moment. Then he nodded.

"Granted."

 "But Kael just won a major battle. He's a hero. We can't punish him openly. People would ask questions."

 "You'll be confined to your residence for one year. People will say it's because you were jealous and attacked him."

 That order sounded like a punishment. But it was really protection. It was exactly what Lyra needed.

 The king looked calmer now. But he was clearly worried.

 "If I remove Kael, who else can lead the army?"

 "Father," Lyra said, "Sylas of House Elowen is back."

 She quickly explained Sylas's story—how he had faked his death, how he had survived and grown stronger.

 "He's smart and brave. He can command the army. Please restore his name. Let him take over House Elowen."

 "A foster son?" The king laughed coldly.

 "He's a nobody. His parents are unknown. Being adopted was already a gift. Now you want him to inherit a noble house?"

"Father!"

 Lyra didn't back down. "Times are hard. We need to value real talent. If he doesn't have a title, the soldiers won't respect him."

"Enough."

 The king waved his hand. He looked tired.

 "I'll meet this Sylas myself. Then we'll see."

 "You're dismissed."

 He leaned back in his chair. Lyra left the room.

 Before leaving, she said one more thing.

"Father, there's something else."

The king frowned.

Lyra lowered her head and gave a small smile.

"Until the truth is clear, please don't let Kael lead the army out of the city."

She bowed and walked away slowly.

This time, she was the one in control.

Lyra stepped out of the study. Her steps were steady. The hem of her dress brushed softly across the floor tiles.

She knew she had won this round.

But it was only the beginning.

She had many more debts to settle—with Kael Varyn and with the entire Varyn family.