Chapter 2 - The Girl They Called a Thief
By sunset, Elara was effectively a prisoner.
The palace called her an honored guest.
Mara called it what it was.
“You will not let us leave.”
Captain Rowan, commander of the royal guard, stood by the door.
“I cannot.”
“My daughter has committed no crime.”
“I know.”
“Then why are there guards outside?”
Rowan looked toward the Star Crown.
“Because nobody knows what happens if someone tries to take her.”
The crown would not leave Elara.
Whenever servants carried it more than six feet away, candles extinguished and the palace walls trembled.
So Elara sat on the bed with the crown resting beside her.
“Am I a princess now?”
No one answered.
That frightened her.
Prince Cassian arrived later without his ceremonial armor.
He looked younger.
And exhausted.
“How are you?”
“I want my room.”
Cassian smiled faintly.
“What is special about your room?”
“The window looks at the bakery.”
“That sounds better than my room.”
Then Chancellor Varro entered.
Three councilors followed.
He placed a leather book on the table.
“Elara Vale.”
She stared at him.
“Your father was Tomas Vale.”
Mara went rigid.
“Leave him out of this.”
Varro smiled.
“Royal archivist. Accused of treason eight years ago.”
Elara turned toward Mara.
“Mama?”
Mara’s face went pale.
Varro continued.
“Tomas disappeared before his trial.”
Elara whispered:
“You told me Papa died.”
“I told you he was gone.”
“That isn’t the same.”
“No.”
Varro looked toward the councilors.
“Her father had access to ancient succession records.”
Cassian frowned.
“What are you suggesting?”
“That Tomas Vale tampered with the crown chamber.”
“The crown is centuries older than him.”
“Even ancient mechanisms can be corrupted.”
Varro turned toward Elara.
“Where is your father?”
“I don’t know.”
“Did he teach you magic?”
“No.”
“Did your mother bring you here deliberately?”
“No!”
Varro raised his voice.
“Then until an investigation is complete, you are not a chosen ruler.”
He pointed at the crown.
“You are the daughter of a traitor in possession of stolen royal property.”
The Star Crown flashed.
The windows rattled violently.
Elara’s eyes filled with tears.
“I didn’t steal it.”
The crown glowed brighter.
Cassian looked at Varro.
“It heard her.”
Varro backed away.
“That proves nothing.”
“It proves enough for tonight.”
Cassian pointed toward the door.
“Leave.”
Varro stared at him.
“You are not king.”
“No.”
Cassian looked at Elara.
“And neither are you.”
Varro left.
But Elara saw something before the door closed.
He did not look afraid of her.
He looked afraid of the crown.
That night, Elara asked:
“Was Papa really a traitor?”
“No,” Mara answered.
“How do you know?”
“Because he discovered something in the royal archives.”
“What?”
“I never found out.”
Then—
click.
A hidden stone panel behind the bed opened.
Inside was a narrow passage.
And on the floor lay an old envelope.
Mara picked it up.
Her hands immediately began shaking.
She recognized the handwriting.
Across the envelope were two words.
May you like
FOR ELARA.
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