ar and reassuring, was now a mask of cold calculation. Lúcia stood beside him, her expression smug, as if reveling in Elaine's downfal

ully planned-they had waited until she was isolated, ensuring no one would come to her aid. The faint scent of poison lingering in t

self to meet Edmond's gaze, hoping to find some trace of the man she had once loved. "If you do this, yo

g. "Your trust is precisely what made this so easy. You handed us the keys

ys were too naive. You surrounded yourself with sycophants and pretended they we

her dreams. The betrayal cut deeper than she could have imagined, and the anger simmering

arp. "The D'Armont allies are loyal to my fami

ill be too late. The empire will already be in my hands. As for you..." He gestured to

anything she could use as a weapon. Her eyes landed on a decorative dagger mounted o

mount. The guards hesitated, surprised by her sudden defiance. Elaine b

her voice firm. "I won't

Elaine thought she had managed to unnerve them. But then E

"you're only prolonging the inevitable. Pu

" she shot back, her

pathetic. Do you really think you can fight all o

right; she couldn't fight them all. But she couldn't bring

id, her voice steady, "I'll d

and he gestured to the guard

rt pounding in her chest. She swung the dagger wildly, managing to keep them at bay for a few mo

clattered to the floor, and Elaine was shoved against the desk, her arm

ket and pulled out a vial of clear liquid. "This is a kindness," he said, un

ering. "You'll regret this," she spat. "

s confidence unsha

s, Elaine clenched her jaw, refusing to drink. The guards tightened their grip, forcin

blurred. Her body convulsed, and she collapsed to the floor, gasping for air. The la

en, da

ashed before her: her father's warm smile, her mother's gentle hands, the laughter of her childhood. And

at first, barely perceptible, but it grew stronger with each passing moment. It was

ough the darkness. "Elaine D'Armont,"

velop her, pulling her out of the void. The darkness gave way to light, and with

ugh lace curtains. The familiar scent of lavender filled the air, and the sound of bir

state. The furnishings, the decorations, even the books on the shelves were exa

ying a tray of tea and pastries. "Good morning, Lady Elain

r personal attendant who had retired years ago. But here she w

said slowly, "

ed nonetheless. "It's the fifteent

was nearly five years before her death. Somehow

als, the conspiracies, the poison-it was all in the future now. She had time to prepare, to c

nd all the others who had wronged her would pay for their treachery. She would reclaim he

eded a plan. And

fying those she could trust, those who had remained loyal even in her darkest moments. And she woul

d herself a small, bitter smile. They thought they had

d chance. And she