"We found blood on the garden wall," Marcus added. "And tracks leading toward the outer palace district. We're organizing search parties now."
Ken's jaw was clenched so tight it looked painful. But his voice came out steady. "The conspiracy is larger than we thought, Your Highness. If they could get an enhanced assassin this deep into the palace, we need to assume multiple compromised positions."
They were doing it.
Actually doing it.
Creating the false narrative. Building the lie. Committing themselves to the cover story that would hide what she'd just done.
Elara felt something that might have been relief if she could actually feel relief.
"Good," she said quietly. "Coordinate with each other. Make sure the details align. And someone needs to alert the palace—the Emperor is dead. The Fourth Princess regent will address the court within the hour."
She turned to walk away—
And stopped.
Because something was wrong with her body.
