The Waitress in the Royal Ballroom
Chapter 4: The Proof in the Ballroom
Adrian stared at the door.
The woman outside was his mother, yet her voice sounded like a stranger's.
Matteo shoved the leather folder into Alina's hands.
"Take it to Lord Brenner," he said. "He was loyal to your father."
Alina shook her head. "I am not leaving you."
"You are the crown," Matteo said. "I am only the man who kept it alive."
Adrian stepped between them. "No one is dying in this room."
The door burst open.
Guards rushed in.
Adrian grabbed the first guard's sword arm and slammed him into the wall. Matteo took the second down with brutal speed, but more men filled the doorway.
Celeste entered behind them.
Her eyes went to the folder.
"Burn it."
Alina held it against her chest.
"You burned my nursery. You will not burn my father's words."
Celeste's face twisted. "Your father was weak. He wanted to give the throne to a girl."
"He wanted to give it to his daughter," Alina said.
Adrian looked at his mother. "And you helped murder her for land."
Celeste turned on him. "For our family."
"No," he said. "For yourself."
Before Celeste could answer, the storage room door opened behind them.
An old man stood there with several palace officers.
Lord Brenner.
The highest surviving member of the royal council.
His eyes moved from Adrian to Celeste, then to Alina.
"Let the girl speak."
Celeste went pale.
Alina stepped forward and opened the folder.
Inside were letters written by the late king, sealed with the royal crest. There were payment records, names of noble families involved in the fire, and a final signed document naming Alina as heir.
Lord Brenner read in silence.
Then he looked at Alina.
"Show me your wrist."
Alina slowly lifted her sleeve.
On her wrist was a pale golden birthmark shaped like a crescent sun.
The mark of the royal bloodline.
Lord Brenner dropped to one knee.
"My princess."
The guards froze.
Celeste whispered, "No."
But the word changed nothing.
The truth had already entered the room.
