"Those who breathe hatred will choke on it."
In the deepest chamber of the palace, a newborn's cry pierced the silence for only a moment before fading into stillness. Assisted only by her loyal handmaid, Queen Elyria summoned the shadow guard, who was waiting silently in the dark. She swiftly snatched a sealed letter from the table.
No one knew that Queen Elyria had already given birth hours earlier, deceiving the entire palace with a false report.
"Go through the hidden corridor near the baths. Take the prince through the Firewood Forest toward the Valmere border. Find General Greer—he will protect the prince. Do not let anyone know,"
"Your Majesty…" the guard murmured.
Outside the palace, flames soared higher. The clamor of chaos and fierce battle split the night sky.
"There's no time. Go now!"
Queen Elyria pressed a loving kiss to her son's forehead—a silent farewell—and handed him to the black-clad shadow guard. He took the sleeping baby gently in his arms, wrapped him in a dark cloth, and nodded respectfully to the queen one last time.
"I will protect the prince with my life," he swore before vanishing into the night like a breath of wind.
A single tear rolled down Queen Elyria's cheek as his silhouette disappeared. Beside her, the middle-aged handmaid stepped forward, cradling another infant in her arms—a baby girl.
"Your Majesty…"
Queen Elyria raised her index finger to her lips, warning for silence. She took the infant into her arms, her heart filled with guilt. The child belonged to her sworn sister, though officially her servant, who had entrusted her with everything. Now, Elyria had no choice but to gamble with the girl's life to protect her son.
Tears flowed freely as the Queen closed her eyes, only to be brought back by the rising cries and clashing steel outside the door. With her maid's help, she hurried to the bed.
"Forgive me, Tara," she whispered, clutching the hand of the loyal woman beside her. "You should have escaped with the others."
"We will not leave," Tara said firmly. "Even in death, we will remain loyal to Your Majesty."
A loud crash shattered the moment. The door burst open, and a rough-looking man strode in, flanked by armored soldiers. Behind him, slow and confident footsteps echoed across the floor as the guards stepped aside for a woman of striking beauty.
"Congratulations to the Queen on her newborn," the woman said with a cold smile, eyes lingering on the baby in Elyria's arms.
Queen Elyria pulled the child closer and held Tara's hand tightly. Neither woman flinched, even as death loomed nearer.
"What do you want?" the Queen asked calmly.
A mocking laugh escaped the woman's lips.
"Do you truly want to know?" Selmira Anster scoffed. "People say you are the most generous and wise queen—so beautiful, so loved. But from today onward, your name will only live in infamy. That's what I want."
Queen Elyria gave her a sad smile. "Is your hatred for me truly that deep?"
Selmira only sneered in response, gesturing to a soldier with a glance.
"Take the baby."
"No—don't hurt my child," Queen Elyria pleaded.
The soldier ignored her and snatched the crying baby from her arms. Tara tried to stop him but was shoved aside, hitting the floor hard.
"A girl?"
Selmira studied the wailing infant with cold curiosity. Elyria's lashes trembled. Selmira was not one to leave threats alive. If the child had been a boy, she was certain Selmira would have killed her on the spot. But a girl... There was still a chance.
"Please, don't harm my daughter," the Queen begged.
Selmira looked away, her grin widening at the sight of her rival begging.
"Relax. I've no intention of killing your daughter—yet."
Silently, Queen Elyria thanked the gods. At the very least, she had managed to save both children, even if the path had been cruel.
With a final glance of disdain, Selmira turned and walked out. Elyria's gaze fell on the man who remained, his eyes gleaming with murderous satisfaction.
"Vernic, His Majesty the King has never treated you or the council unfairly. Why did you conspire against him?"
Vernic smirked. "True, King Eldric was a good ruler. But keeping him alive won't help us seize power. Elvarion may not have royal blood, but he's still family. That's enough."
Queen Elyria's sorrowful smile turned cold.
"After all your treachery and the blood you've spilled, do you really think the heavens will remain silent?"
Vernic snarled and drew his blood-stained sword. King Eldric and his men had already fallen after a fierce struggle. He wasn't about to waste time listening to the Queen's talk of divine justice.
"Then I'll be waiting," he hissed, lifting his blade. "But for now, this is where Your Majesty says farewell to the world."
The night grew darker as blood soaked the palace floors. Screams of agony, flames, and the triumphant howls of the usurpers pierced the midnight air.
Some trembled in fear. Others reveled in victory. But no one knew that far beyond the walls, cloaked in night and shadow, a black-clad man fled through the forest, cradling a newborn child in his arms.
All the people knew that night was this, the reign of King Eldric Lysithe had ended. A new era had begun. The Kingdom of Estharen welcomed its new ruler, King Elvarion.