Chapter 440:

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Then there were the questions. How many guards were stationed near Kade’s chambers? Where was Nero? Which council members were loyal to Kade? At the time, none of it had seemed important.

Now every memory returned at once.

I looked at my sister. “Why were you asking about Kade’s guards?”

She went still.

My heartbeat pounded in my ears. “And why did you know about the council argument before anyone told you?”

“Victoria…”

“And the man I saw you meeting near the eastern gardens?”

Her face changed, just slightly, but I saw it. Suddenly the room felt colder.

She didn’t answer. I took another step backward. “No.”

In𝘀𝗍𝗮ո𝘵 𝘢𝘤c𝖾𝘴s on 𝘨𝖺𝗅n𝘰𝘃𝖾𝘭ѕ.𝗰o𝘮

Her eyes hardened. “You’re frightened.”

“I’m remembering. I saw you.”

“You’re confused.”

My breathing grew shallow. Then I understood something that hurt more than the execution. She hadn’t been surprised by the accusation. She had been prepared for it.

The documents weren’t simply pointing toward me. They had been built around me. And whoever created them knew exactly what kind of person everyone already believed me to be: hot-tempered, impulsive, capable of causing trouble. And most importantly, loyal to Anatoria. The person nobody would suspect.

I looked at her. “You didn’t frame me because I was guilty.”

Her face remained still.

“You framed me because I’m the perfect person to blame.”

Anatoria’s silence answered me.

My heart sank. “Anatoria…”

She stepped closer. “You’re imagining things.”

I shook my head. “I’m frightened because I’m finally seeing things clearly.”

Her expression hardened. “You should leave while you still can.” She folded her arms. “If you stay, they will execute you.”

I looked toward the door. “You want me to disappear. You want the palace to believe I was behind everything.” I turned back to her. “You came here before sunrise with an escape route already prepared. You knew exactly which passage wasn’t guarded. You knew exactly where I should go. You knew exactly how much time I had.” I stepped closer. “You’ve been preparing for this.”

Her face went pale. “Stop.”

“You didn’t come here to save me. You came here to make sure I disappeared.” I stared at her. “Do you know what hurts the most?”

She said nothing.

“I would have done it for you.”

Her brows drew together.

“If you had been accused, I would have stayed. I would have fought. I would have stood in front of Kade and screamed until everyone listened.”

“You’ll die.” Her expression hardened.

I lifted my chin. “If Kade wants to execute me, he’ll have to do it while I’m standing in front of him.” She stared at me. “And when he does, I’ll ask him one question. Who benefits from my death?”

She opened the door. “Good luck.”

I didn’t answer, and she walked out. The door closed behind her.

I stood there staring at it for several seconds, unable to move. My sister had just walked out of my room knowing I might be dead by sunset. The woman I had protected my entire life had looked me in the eyes and sent me toward an execution she had helped create.

I pressed a hand against my chest. It hurt. Gods, it hurt.

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Message from Noa: We’re in the final quarter of the year, my dear ones, hang in there! God loves you and Noa wishes you all the best. (ɔO‿=)ɔ ♥

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