The crown's enemy
651 Words
The Crown Between Us
Chapter Seven: The Crown’s Enemy
The palace had always been a place of beauty.
Tall marble halls.
Golden decorations.
Generations of history carved into every wall.
But Adrian had learned something important.
The most dangerous things in a palace were rarely the weapons.
They were the secrets.
---
For weeks, Adrian had felt something was wrong.
Conversations stopped whenever he entered a room.
Advisors exchanged uncertain glances.
Nobles who once praised him now watched him carefully.
The kingdom was changing.
And someone was making sure he noticed.
"Your Highness."
Adrian turned as Captain Rowan approached him.
The captain had served the royal family for many years and was one of the few people Adrian trusted completely.
"There is something you need to know."
Adrian studied his expression.
"What happened?"
Rowan lowered his voice.
"I found evidence that someone inside the palace is working against the crown."
Adrian became serious.
"Against my father?"
"Against you."
The words carried more weight than he expected.
"Who?"
"I do not know yet."
---
That evening, Adrian searched through old royal records.
If someone wanted to weaken his position as heir, they would need influence.
Money.
Connections.
Information.
And there were only a few people who had enough power to do that.
His thoughts returned to the council.
To the nobles.
To the engagement proposal.
Something about the situation felt planned.
Too perfect.
Too convenient.
---
Meanwhile, Lyra noticed changes in Rosewood.
Strangers had begun appearing in the village.
They asked questions.
About Adrian.
About his visits.
About their relationship.
At first, she ignored them.
But then one evening, a man approached her near the flower stall.
"You should be careful."
Lyra looked at him.
"Who are you?"
"Someone who knows that people like you often get hurt when they stand too close to power."
His words made her uncomfortable.
"What does that mean?"
The man only smiled.
"It means the crown always takes what it wants."
Then he walked away.
---
The next day, Adrian returned to Rosewood.
But this time, he was not there only because he missed Lyra.
He needed to make sure she was safe.
"Something is happening," he told her.
Lyra looked concerned.
"What kind of something?"
"I don't know yet."
She studied his face.
"You are worried."
Adrian tried to deny it.
But she already knew him too well.
"I thought princes weren't supposed to be afraid."
He gave a small smile.
"Princes are just people who are better at hiding it."
Lyra reached for his hand.
The simple gesture surprised him.
But it also reminded him why he kept fighting.
---
That night, a secret meeting took place inside the palace.
A figure stood in the shadows of the old council room.
"The prince is becoming a problem."
Another voice answered.
"Then we remove the problem."
"He has the people's support."
"Not if the people stop believing in him."
A document was placed on the table.
A plan.
A dangerous one.
The goal was simple.
Destroy Adrian's reputation.
Separate him from Lyra.
Force him to accept the engagement.
And if necessary...
Remove him from the line of succession.
---
The following morning, rumors spread throughout Valedria.
Rumors that Prince Adrian had abandoned his duties.
Rumors that he cared more about a village girl than his kingdom.
Rumors that he was not ready to rule.
Adrian stood in the palace courtyard as the news reached him.
For the first time, he understood the true meaning of being a prince.
The crown did not only come with power.
It came with enemies.
And now, someone had chosen Lyra as the weapon to destroy him.
Adrian looked toward the road leading to Rosewood.
He knew what he had to do.
Protect the kingdom.
Protect Lyra.
And uncover the person hiding behind the crown.
Because the greatest threat to Valedria was not outside its walls.
It was already inside.
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