The Princess Who Fell For The Executioner

THE KING BENEATH THE RUINS

The voice disappeared, but its echo remained inside Evelina's mind. She stood frozen beneath the ancient archway, staring into the darkness beyond the ruined kingdom. Adrian had gone completely still beside her. His sword remained in his hand, but he no longer looked ready to fight. He looked afraid. “Adrian,” Evelina whispered. “Who was that?” He slowly turned toward her. “Your father.” Evelina's heart stopped. “Edmund?” “No.” His eyes moved toward the ruined city ahead. “Alaric.” Evelina shook her head. “That's impossible. King Alaric has been dead for twenty years.” “That's what everyone was supposed to believe.” Adrian walked toward the ruins. Evelina followed cautiously. The ancient city had once been magnificent, but time had destroyed most of it. Broken towers rose from the mist, covered in vines and moss. Statues of forgotten kings stood along the road, their faces damaged by war. At the center of the city stood a massive black castle. Unlike the rest of the ruins, it appeared untouched by time. “Why did you bring me here?” Evelina asked. Adrian looked at her. “I didn't.” “Then why did the passage open?” He didn't answer. A sudden tremor shook the ground. Evelina grabbed his arm. “Adrian!” He steadied her. “Stay close to me.” They continued toward the castle. As they approached the enormous doors, they opened by themselves. Cold air rushed past them. Inside, hundreds of candles suddenly came alive along the walls. Evelina stared in amazement. “Someone has been here.” Adrian nodded. “Recently.” They entered the great hall. At the far end stood a throne made from black stone. Behind it hung an enormous painting of King Alaric. Evelina approached slowly. The face staring back at her looked strangely familiar. The same dark eyes. The same sharp jaw. She touched the painting. “He looks like me.” “Because you're his daughter.” A voice came from behind them. Evelina spun around. An old man stood near the entrance, dressed in a long gray robe. His face was covered with scars, but his eyes were sharp. Adrian immediately raised his sword. “Who are you?” The old man smiled. “Someone who has been waiting for her return.” Evelina stepped forward. “Where is my father?” The old man pointed toward the throne. “He has been waiting for you too.” Suddenly, the throne moved. A hidden staircase appeared beneath it. Evelina stared down into the darkness. “He's down there?” The old man nodded. “He has been asleep for twenty years.” Adrian grabbed Evelina's arm. “We shouldn't go down.” She looked at him. “Why?” “Because whoever arranged this wants us here.” “Maybe.” Evelina pulled her arm free. “But I need answers.” She descended the stairs. Adrian followed reluctantly. The deeper they went, the colder the air became. At the bottom was a vast underground chamber. In the center stood a stone coffin covered in silver symbols. Evelina approached it. Her heart began pounding. “Father?” she whispered. Nothing happened. Then she noticed something carved into the stone. It was her mother's name. “Why is her name here?” Adrian looked at the coffin. “I don't know.” Evelina touched the carving. The symbols suddenly began glowing. A powerful wind swept through the chamber. The coffin lid moved. Evelina stepped backward. Adrian drew his sword. The lid slowly opened. A man's hand appeared. Then another. A figure rose from the coffin. Evelina stared at the man standing before her. He looked no older than he had in the paintings. His dark hair fell around his face, and his eyes were the same color as hers. He looked at Evelina for several seconds. Then he whispered, “You have your mother's eyes.” Tears filled Evelina's eyes. “Father?” The man stepped toward her. “My daughter.” Evelina ran into his arms. For the first time in her life, she felt the embrace of the father she had never known. But Adrian remained several steps away, watching them carefully. Something about the scene troubled him. “Alaric,” he said. The king looked toward him. His expression changed instantly. “You.” Adrian tightened his grip on his sword. “You know me.” Alaric's face became cold. “I know exactly who you are.” Evelina stepped between them. “He saved my life.” Alaric stared at Adrian for a long moment. “Then he has earned a place in my kingdom.” Adrian lowered his sword slightly. “Why were you hidden for twenty years?” Alaric's expression darkened. “Because the people who killed me are still alive.” Evelina's blood ran cold. “Who killed you?” Her father looked directly at her. “Your mother.” Evelina froze. “No.” “She betrayed me.” “That's impossible.” Alaric stepped closer. “She didn't kill me because she hated me. She killed me because she loved you.” Evelina couldn't breathe. “What are you saying?” Alaric looked at Adrian. “Tell her.” Adrian remained silent. “Tell her what you discovered ten years ago.” Evelina turned toward him. “Adrian?” He closed his eyes. “Your mother didn't betray your father, Evelina. She betrayed the entire kingdom to save you.” “Save me from what?” Adrian opened his eyes. Before he could answer, a violent explosion shook the underground chamber. The walls cracked. Soldiers began shouting somewhere above them. Alaric looked toward the ceiling. His expression became grim. “They found us.” Evelina grabbed her sword. “Who?” Alaric looked at her. “The people who have been hunting you since the day you were born.” Then the castle doors above them exploded open, and a familiar voice echoed through the ruins. “Evelina!” She recognized it immediately. It was King Edmund. But he was not alone. Behind him stood Queen Helena, Captain Rowan, and an army of soldiers. Evelina stared in disbelief. “Rowan is alive.” Adrian stepped forward, his sword raised. Alaric suddenly looked at him and whispered, “Do not fight them.” Adrian frowned. “Why?” Alaric's eyes moved toward Evelina. “Because they haven't come to kill my daughter.” He paused. “They have come to take her back to the throne.” Then Queen Helena shouted from above, “Evelina, your coronation begins tonight!”

Evelina stared upward as Queen Helena's words echoed through the ancient chamber. Her coronation. The word should have filled her with disbelief, yet somehow it frightened her more than the execution waiting for her that morning. She looked at Alaric, searching his face for an explanation. “Why would they want to crown me after trying to kill me?” Alaric's expression remained calm, but his eyes were filled with a sadness she could not understand. “Because the throne does not belong to Edmund anymore.” Evelina swallowed. “Then whose throne is it?” “Yours.” The answer struck her harder than any sword. “Mine?” Alaric nodded. “Your mother's blood and my blood run through your veins. The ancient law recognizes you as the last legitimate heir of the Northern Realm.” Adrian stepped closer. “And that's why they want her alive.” Alaric looked at him. “Exactly.” Evelina's mind raced. “But if they need me, why did they sentence me to death?” “Because they needed the kingdom to believe you were dead,” Alaric replied. “Once the people believed you were gone, they could control the throne without opposition. But they made one mistake.” “What mistake?” “They forgot that your death would awaken the old blood.” A loud crash shook the chamber again. Dust fell from the ceiling. Soldiers were moving closer. Adrian looked toward the staircase. “We don't have much time.” Alaric nodded. “There is another way out.” He walked toward the wall and pressed his hand against an ancient symbol. A hidden door opened. Evelina followed him into a narrow passage. Adrian came behind her. But before they could go far, Evelina stopped. “Where is Rowan?” she asked. Alaric looked at her. “Why?” “He was with us when the queen surrounded the forest. Then he disappeared. Now he's standing beside her.” Adrian's expression became troubled. “Rowan would never betray us.” “Unless he had no choice,” Evelina said. They continued through the passage until they reached another chamber. There, a man was chained to the wall. Evelina recognized him immediately. “Rowan!” The captain lifted his head. His face was bruised and blood covered his uniform. “Evelina,” he whispered. “Don't trust Helena.” Adrian rushed forward and broke the chains. “What happened?” Rowan struggled to stand. “She captured me after the forest. She forced me to lead her here.” Evelina looked at him. “Then why did you point your sword at Adrian?” Rowan lowered his eyes. “Because she had Clara.” Evelina's heart stopped. “Clara?” Rowan nodded. “The queen captured your maid. She threatened to kill her unless I obeyed.” Evelina clenched her fists. “Where is she?” “Inside the palace.” Adrian's face hardened. “Then we go back.” Alaric stepped forward. “No.” Adrian turned. “She's being held because of Evelina. We can't leave her.” “You cannot save everyone tonight.” Alaric's voice was firm. “If Evelina returns to that palace, she will walk directly into a trap.” Evelina looked between them. “I'm going.” Adrian stared at her. “No.” “Clara saved my life.” “And now she is being used to lure you back.” Evelina stepped closer to him. “Would you leave me if someone you loved was trapped?” Adrian's expression changed. “No.” “Then don't ask me to do it.” For several seconds, neither spoke. Finally, Adrian sighed. “Then I'm coming with you.” Alaric shook his head. “If you return, you may not survive.” Adrian looked at him. “I've already died once.” Evelina felt something tighten in her chest. “What happened to you after you disappeared?” she asked quietly. Adrian looked away. “Later.” “No. I need to know.” He finally met her eyes. “I was betrayed by someone I trusted. They left me in a burning fortress. I survived, but everyone who knew me believed I was dead.” Evelina's voice softened. “Who betrayed you?” Adrian's eyes darkened.