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Echoes of the Celestial Throne: The Rise, Fall, and Rebirth of House Veyne / Chapter 13 / 20

Chapter 13 - The Betrayal Within

The battlefield inside the grand hall erupted into absolute chaos. Torren fought like a tempest, his sword flashing with gold and gray lightning as he cut down the shadow-beasts. Julian channeled waves of sea-blue magic to shield the wounded courtiers, while Adrian fought side-by-side with his mother, protecting her flank.

However, the Void Matriarch did not target Eleanor first. She raised her hand, casting a dark crimson beam directly toward the royal ranks.

"Adrian, watch out!" Julian yelled, leaping across the marble floor to tackle his brother out of the way.

The dark beam struck a high-ranking Duke of the inner council—Archon Vance, one of House Veyne's oldest allies. But instead of disintegrating Vance, the red light merged into his body.

Vance’s eyes instantly turned pitch black. With a sickening snarl, he turned his daggers and plunged them straight into Torren’s side.

"Torren!" Adrian screamed.

Torren gasped, blood spurting from his lips as he fell to his knees. Vance laughed hysterically, his voice completely taken over by the Void Matriarch.

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"Did you really believe your family was united?" Vance mocked. "Half your lords traded their souls to the darkness weeks ago while Adrian wore the stolen crown! The seed of treachery was already planted!"

Across the room, several other council members drew concealed weapons, turning on the royal guards from within their own ranks. The throne room turned into a bloody trap.

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Related Stories

Chapter 14 - The Blood Crest
Chapter 15 - The Siege of Veyne Citadel
Chapter 16 - The Forgotten Weapon
Chapter 17 - Into the Serpent’s Lair
Chapter 18 - The Battle of the Abyss
Chapter 19 - The Ultimate Sacrifice

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