She Was Thrown to the Floor Until the King Saw Her Neck

Chapter 4: Sisters at War

The warning came from Celeste.

She entered Elara's room moments after the servant left, still in her white gown, though her crown was gone. For the first time, she looked less like a princess and more like a frightened young woman.

Elara stepped away from the untouched tea.

"You warned me?" she asked.

Celeste shut the door behind her. "Do not mistake this for kindness."

"Then what is it?"

Celeste hesitated. "Survival."

She looked toward the hallway before continuing.

"Dorian has controlled this court since my mother's death. He raised me to believe every threat must be crushed before it can grow. Today I realized he was not protecting me. He was using me."

Elara folded her arms. "And now you want me to trust you?"

"No." Celeste's voice was sharp. "I want you to understand that if he can erase a royal child once, he can do it again."

The sisters stood in silence.

They looked so much alike in some angles that it was unsettling. But where Elara's face had been hardened by hunger, Celeste's had been sharpened by privilege and fear.

Finally Elara asked, "Did you know I was your sister when you slapped me?"

Celeste looked away. "I suspected. I hoped I was wrong."

That was the closest thing to an apology Elara was going to get.

A loud bell rang in the corridor.

Then came shouting.

The king's personal guard burst through the door. "My ladies, come at once. His Majesty has collapsed."

Both girls ran.

They found the king in the council chamber, struggling to breathe, his hand clutching his chest while Marta cried beside him. On the table sat a goblet of wine.

Dorian stood nearby with perfect calm.

"The shock of the day has been too much for him," he said.

Celeste moved first. She grabbed the goblet and smelled it.

Her face went white.

"He poisoned him."

The room erupted.

Dorian did not even bother pretending outrage this time. He gave a small, tired smile.

"I offered this family order," he said. "Instead I am surrounded by women ruled by sentiment."

He signaled the guards at the far door.

Half of them drew swords for him.

The captain of the royal guard stepped between the sisters and the traitors.

"Take the princesses and go!"

As steel rang across the chamber, Elara looked back once.

The king, barely conscious, lifted a trembling hand and pointed toward the ancient crown above the throne.

Then everything went dark as the chamber lights were smashed and the palace fell into chaos.