LILY'S POV
The flowers in Lily's hands were starting to wilt.
She watched them drop petal by petal onto the white marble floor of the Crystal Cathedral and thought about how she used to love flowers. How five years ago, Daniel had picked white roses from the palace garden and tucked them into her hair while she laughed. He'd whispered promises in the dark. Promises about forever.
The music played louder.
Lily's fingers went numb gripping the bouquet. Her bridesmaid dress suddenly felt too tight, like the fabric was trying to strangle her from the inside. Around her, people gasped and smiled. The guests craned their necks. Someone behind her whispered how beautiful it all was.
Beautiful.
Lily's eyes stayed locked on the woman walking down the aisle in white silk and diamonds. Her sister. Rose glowed like she'd been born for this moment. Her dark hair fell in perfect waves. Her smile was radiant and absolutely certain.
Lily had worn that same hairstyle last week. Daniel had kissed her on the steps behind the east tower and told her she was stunning. He'd pulled her close and said only two more months. Just hold on two more months and then the whole kingdom would know she was his.
Rose reached the altar.
Prince Daniel turned to watch her approach and his entire face lit up like she was the sun itself.
Lily stopped breathing.
That was the smile she knew. The one he saved for her. The one that made her heart skip and her hands shake. The one that had kept her going through five years of stolen moments and secret meetings. Five years of pretending she didn't care when other girls flirted with him at court. Five years of telling herself to be patient.
He was smiling at Rose exactly like that.
The priest began speaking but Lily heard nothing. The flowers in her hands were trembling. She locked her elbows but her whole body was shaking now. Around her, the other bridesmaids stood perfectly still, watching the ceremony with soft eyes. They didn't notice her falling apart.
Queen Margot sat in the front row with a cold smile.
Her father was beaming with pride.
And Daniel was sliding a ring onto Rose's finger. A ring made of royal gold. A ring that caught the light like it was made of captured stars.
Lily's throat burned.
Five years. She'd been patient for five years. She'd met him in gardens and hallways and empty rooms where no one could find them. She'd let him kiss her first when they were both terrified and seventeen. She'd listened to him talk about his dreams of being a good king. She'd told him things she'd never told anyone. She'd believed him when he said he loved her.
And he was marrying her sister.
The ceremony continued. People cheered when Daniel kissed Rose. The kiss was tender and full and everything Lily had imagined their wedding would be.
The flowers fell from her hands.
Nobody noticed. The petals scattered across the marble like white snow. A few landed on her white heels. More scattered across the floor in a trail that led right back to where Lily stood, shaking so hard her teeth chattered.
This wasn't supposed to happen.
Daniel had promised. He'd held her face in his hands just three months ago and said wait just a little longer. I need to be king first. I need to secure the throne. Then I can marry for love instead of politics. Just be patient with me.
Lily had been patient.
She'd watched her sister flirt with him at court and said nothing. She'd seen Rose's hand linger on his arm and she'd smiled like she meant it. She'd played the perfect sister and the perfect lady and the perfect girlfriend who understood he had duty and responsibility.
And now Rose was his princess and Lily was nobody.
The ceremony ended. Everyone stood and applauded. The sound was deafening. Lily couldn't feel her legs but she forced herself to stand. Forced herself to keep her face blank even though inside she was breaking into pieces.
The wedding party turned to walk back down the aisle. Lily moved with the other bridesmaids like a ghost. People were crying happy tears. One woman threw flower petals. Lily watched Rose pass by holding Daniel's hand and caught her sister's eye.
Rose was smiling. But it wasn't the kind smile she used for other people. It was cruel and satisfied and full of something that looked like triumph.
Lily's stomach dropped.
That smile didn't match the ceremony. That wasn't a bride who had just married for love. That was something else.
The wedding party spilled into the corridor outside the cathedral. Guests were coming out behind them, chattering excitedly about the vows and the decorations and how handsome the prince looked. Servants rushed around carrying trays of champagne. Everything felt like it was moving too fast and too slow at the same time.
Lily stood frozen in the hallway with her empty hands at her sides.
A servant approached her with a tray of drinks. Lily shook her head. She couldn't put anything in her mouth without throwing up. Behind her, she could hear the other bridesmaids laughing. They were heading toward the reception hall where the real celebration would happen. Dancing and dining and toasts to the happy couple.
Lily turned to leave. She needed air. She needed to find somewhere quiet where she could fall apart alone.
That's when she heard the scream.
It came from inside the cathedral. Sharp and piercing and full of panic. Lily spun around. Her father appeared in the doorway looking confused. Then alarmed.
Servants started running. Toward the cathedral, not away from it.
Lily followed without thinking.
The ceremonial chamber was in chaos. She pushed through the growing crowd and saw Queen Margot standing at the front of the room. The Queen was holding a small jewelry box and her face was storm dark.
The entire wedding party was frozen. Rose was clutching Daniel's arm. The priest looked confused. All the nobles were pushing closer, trying to hear what was happening.
Lily's heart was still shattering but something in her brain switched on. The cold part that noticed details. That watched people's reactions.
Queen Margot's voice cut through the noise like a blade.
"The Queen's emerald necklace has been stolen."
The room went silent.
"Someone in this cathedral is a thief. Someone has disgraced this wedding and stolen from the crown."
Lily watched her mother's face go pale. Watched her father step forward looking panicked. Watched Daniel and Rose exchange a look that she couldn't quite read.
The Queen's eyes moved slowly across the room. Scanning. Searching.
And then they landed on Lily.