Chapter Nine: The Hidden Report
Two days remained until the full moon.
Two days until the court would try to take everything from me—my crown, my name, my future.
Unless I burned their lies down first.
Caden returned before dawn.
His armor was scratched, cloak torn, a cut blooming red on his cheek. But he held a leather satchel pressed tightly to his side.
"I have it," he said, voice low, fierce.
We sealed ourselves in my chamber before he opened the flap and pulled out the scroll.
It was thick. Marked with the royal seal. Dated nearly a year ago.
The Siege of Elareth.
Kael's so-called triumph.
We read it in silence.
Then I read it again—twice.
And I felt my breath stop.
"He ordered a retreat," I whispered. "He abandoned the second regiment."
Caden nodded grimly. "Hundreds died. He claimed victory, but it was the third regiment—under Commander Vale—that turned the tide. And Kael had them silenced."
The implications hit like a blow.
He hadn't just lied.
He'd let men die to preserve his legend.
"And he buried this report to preserve his claim to the throne," I said coldly. "This is treason."
"High treason," Caden said. "If this is made public…"
"They'll turn on him."
And maybe, just maybe, they'd start listening to me.
I knew what I had to do.
I sent copies of the report—sealed under my royal signet—to three key allies in the court: Chancellor Veres, Lady Vexa, and the High Commander of the Royal Guard.
And then I wrote one final letter.
To Kael.
You always did love stories, Kael.
So let me give you one last gift—
The truth.
See you at the moon's rise.
—Elira
The rest of the day was spent in silence. Preparation.
Caden stayed nearby. Not guarding me—but standing with me.
I asked him once more that evening, as the torches in the halls flickered low, "Why do you believe in me?"
His answer was simple.
"Because I've seen the way you fight. Not with a sword. With fire."
Then, softer, "And because I think the realm needs you more than it ever needed him."
Midnight neared.
The full moon rose.
And with it, I dressed for battle—not in armor, but in truth.
Black velvet. Silver embroidery. My mother's crest pinned to my collar.
When I stepped into the royal court, all eyes turned.
The throne room was packed.
Kael stood at the center, smiling like a man already crowned.
But his smile faded as the Chancellor rose, holding a scroll aloft.
"The Princess has submitted evidence," he said, voice ringing through the room. "A sealed report regarding the siege of Elareth."
Murmurs. Gasps.
Kael turned to me, jaw clenched.
"Elira…"
"Tell them, Kael," I said. "Tell them how you fled. How you lied. How you let soldiers die for your glory."
His hands curled into fists.
But it was too late.
The truth had bloomed.
And this time, it had thorns.
To be Continued...