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**Chapter 15: A Storm Beneath the Crown**
**The Capital Summons**
The capital never sent letters. It sent *summons*.
Sher stood at the edge of their private airpad, dressed in the black-on-black uniform reserved for the Council of Crowned Heirs — a symbol of power, blood, and responsibility. Hana stood opposite him, arms crossed, dressed like she was going into battle, not saying goodbye.
"Don't make that face," he muttered, adjusting his collar while Mira floated nearby with final briefings.
"I'm not making a face," she replied.
"You're scowling."
"I always scowl when you leave me."
His eyes softened. "It's not by choice. Cenric's accusations reached the royal court. I need to be there."
She flicked her fingers toward the ship. "Then go. But don't come back dead. I'll kill you myself if you do."
Sher smirked. "Duly noted, Mrs. Wolter."
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### **Trouble Wears a Crown**
The capital had changed.
Guards lined the palace like war had already begun. Inside, Sher was greeted with icy stares, whispered slanders, and veiled threats. But he walked like he owned every inch of marble beneath his boots.
Because he did.
Cenric Vane, however, stood in the council chamber already grinning.
"Sher," he said, all fake warmth. "Finally arrived. How's the wife? Still pretending she chose you out of love?"
Sher didn't blink. "How's your broken engagement? Still bitter it wasn't you she wanted?"
Laughter rippled uncomfortably. Cenric's smile cracked.
The storm had arrived, and both wolves had fangs bared.
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### **Back at the Mansion**
Hana was not the type to mope.
She trained.
Every morning at dawn, she stood in the Wolter combat hall, sparring with Klein or Mira's simulation bots. Her movements were sharp — not polished, but *furious*. Klein watched her with growing concern.
"You miss him, don't you?"
Hana lunged at him with a practice sword. "I'm improving my stamina."
"You're trying not to cry."
"I don't *cry*, Klein."
He dodged, laughing. "You *definitely* married Sher. Emotionally constipated, both of you."
She kicked him in the shin.
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### **Schemes in Silk**
At night, she read court updates Mira smuggled in through encoded data lines. Cenric was twisting votes, feeding poison to the nobles. A full vote of no-confidence was approaching — Sher's position as heir might be stripped.
"He's using public sympathy and old alliances," Mira said. "If Sher loses the vote, he could be exiled."
Hana's eyes burned.
Then she smiled.
"Time to sew a little chaos."
She pulled out her tablet and began typing.
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### **A Queen Without a Throne**
Three nights later, a holographic projection leaked to the press.
It was a surveillance clip. Blurry. Untraceable. *Explosive*.
Cenric Vane — alone in a chamber with an unknown noble — exchanging what looked like *credits* for *votes*.
Sher saw it unfold live on the palace news board.
Whispers turned to roars.
Within 24 hours, Cenric was suspended from the council pending investigation.
Sher didn't need proof to know who did it.
He looked out at the evening skyline of the capital and murmured, "You troublemaking little hurricane…"
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### **An Uninvited Guest**
Back at the mansion, Hana received a visitor.
Not a servant. Not an ally.
A woman.
Tall. Regal. Eyes like glass. Wearing the crest of the royal family.
"I am Princess Liora. Sher's former intended."
Hana didn't flinch. "You're late."
Liora smiled coldly. "And you're undeserving."
"Oh, absolutely," Hana said brightly. "He deserves someone quieter, more elegant, less obsessed with salted caramel and verbal combat."
"You mock this."
"I survive it. Would you like tea, or are you here to declare a royal slap duel?"
Liora stepped closer. "He will lose everything, you know. You're dragging him into ruin."
Hana tilted her head, voice suddenly low and sharp. "He chose me knowing exactly how messy I am. I'm not the storm in his life — *I'm the shield*."
The princess blinked.
Hana smiled sweetly. "Now drink the damn tea or leave."
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### **The Crown Responds**
Back in the capital, Sher stood before the Council.
They demanded answers.
He gave them results.
Cenric was stripped of three key seats.
The Queen herself stepped forward. "Despite the chaos, Lord Wolter has demonstrated loyalty and results. His position shall remain untouched."
Sher bowed.
But his mind was already racing home.
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### **Homecoming**
The airship landed just after midnight.
Hana stood waiting in her robe, arms crossed again.
"You look tired," she said.
"You look smug."
"I *am* smug."
They stared at each other. Tension. Relief. Everything unsaid between them.
Sher stepped closer.
"I know it was you who leaked that footage."
She blinked innocently. "Was it?"
"Hana."
"Hmm?"
He reached out, brushing her cheek with his thumb. "Remind me to never make you my enemy."
She smirked. "Too late. I'm your wife."
Then, under the silent sky, he kissed her. Not possessive, not desperate.
Just *home*.
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