Chapter 5 - The Queen’s Gambit
Dawn broke over the capital, casting pale, cold light across the white marble spires of the royal palace.
In the royal study, Queen Eleanor stood before King Valen, her posture rigid, her face an impenetrable mask of absolute calm. She poured two cups of spiced wine, sliding one across the mahogany desk toward her husband.
"You look tired, Valen," she said smoothly. "Executing a child in front of the entire city takes a toll on the conscience, doesn't it?"
Valen scoffed, waving a hand dismissively. "Conscience is a luxury for peasants. By sunset, the boy will be a cautionary tale, and the beast will be put down by my royal executioners. Our secret dies with them."
"Are you certain the executioners can handle the beast?" Eleanor asked, her lips curling into a faint, knowing smile. "That creature was bound to our bloodline centuries ago by the first monarchs. It doesn't obey chains. It obeys the true sovereign."
Valen's hand froze inches from his wine cup. His eyes narrowed. "What did you do?"
Before the king could answer, a sudden wave of dizziness hit him. He grabbed the edge of the desk, his vision blurring at the edges. He stared down at the cup of wine, then up at his wife with horror.
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"You..." Valen choked out, sliding heavily to the floor as darkness consumed him.
Eleanor looked down at him without a shred of pity. "I reclaimed my throne," she whispered, turning swiftly toward the door to prepare for the final showdown.
