The scandal did not arrive quietly.
It arrived like a thrown chair through a stained-glass window.
It began, as disasters often do, with a rumor whispered over tea — and ended with half the kingdom screaming in the streets.
By noon, broadsheets were circulating with a headline so bold it looked personally offended by reality:
THE KING IS A PUPPET — AND HIS HEART IS A LIABILITY
Aerin stared at the paper.
"…Wow," he murmured. "They even used a dramatic font."
Valessara's Masterstroke
Valessara did not deny the rumors.
She curated them.
In the grand hall, she held court like a queen who had already won:
"His Majesty is kind," she said smoothly, "but kindness without firmness becomes weakness."
Someone asked, "Are you saying he's unfit to rule?"
Valessara sighed like a woman burdened with tragic truth.
"I am saying… the kingdom deserves strength."
Her words traveled faster than fire.
By evening, people were whispering:
Aerin is controlled by women
Aerin is emotionally unstable
Aerin chooses romance over duty
Valessara is the only thing holding the crown upright
She hadn't just attacked his reputation.
She'd attacked his authority.
Public Fallout: Aerin Gets Dragged
Aerin attempted to walk through the capital.
That was his first mistake.
"SHOW US A REAL KING!"
"STOP LETTING WOMEN RUN THE THRONE!"
"ARE YOU EVEN IN CONTROL OF YOUR OWN PALACE?!"
A tomato flew.
He dodged it — accidentally tripping over his own cloak.
He hit the ground.
Someone gasped.
Someone laughed.
Someone shouted, "EVEN HIS FALLS ARE SYMBOLIC!"
Covered in dirt, Aerin muttered:
"I just wanted fresh air."
Mira's Quiet Pain
Mira watched from the palace balcony.
She didn't lash out.
She didn't shout.
She simply looked… tired.
"They hate him because they don't understand him," she whispered.
A hand touched her shoulder.
Cassian.
Their eyes met — complicated, heavy, unresolved.
"I never wanted to hurt you," he said quietly.
Mira smiled faintly.
"I know. That almost makes it worse."
Cassian Starts Breaking
Cassian trained harder.
Fought harder.
Drank more.
Smiled less.
Valessara summoned him one night.
"You seem distracted," she purred.
"You seem manipulative," he replied.
She smiled sweetly.
"You belong at my side."
He laughed bitterly.
"I belong nowhere."
For the first time, Valessara's expression darkened.
"You owe me loyalty."
Cassian muttered:
"I owe myself peace."
And for a moment, it looked like he might crumble completely.
Elira Loses Patience
Elira did not handle the scandal with grace.
She handled it with murderous enthusiasm.
"They're disrespecting Aerin," she hissed, pacing.
"I should stab the rumor."
"You cannot stab a rumor," Mira sighed.
"I CAN TRY."
She stormed into the streets.
A man shouted, "THE KING IS WEAK!"
Elira lunged.
He screamed.
Three guards restrained her.
She pointed wildly.
"HE DESERVES IT EMOTIONALLY!"
The Public Confrontation
Under pressure, Aerin was forced to speak publicly.
A massive crowd gathered.
Nobles. Merchants. Guards. Commoners.
And at the center of it all:
Valessara — radiant, composed, devastating.
Aerin stepped forward.
His voice trembled — then steadied.
"They say I am weak," he said.
Murmurs.
"They say I am controlled."
More murmurs.
He lifted his chin.
"But this kingdom has not burned.
It has not starved.
It has not fallen."
Silence.
"I listen. I care. I hesitate. I reflect."
He looked directly at Valessara.
"If that makes me weak…
then weakness has kept this kingdom alive."
A pause.
Then scattered applause.
Then more.
Then louder.
Valessara's smile tightened.
Valessara Strikes Again — The Real Scandal
That night, the real scandal dropped.
A letter surfaced.
Forged.
Explosive.
It claimed Aerin had:
Secretly promised marriage for political favors
Negotiated private deals without council approval
Manipulated succession laws
The court erupted.
"TREASON!"
"DECEPTION!"
"DISGRACE!"
Aerin stared at the parchment.
"I don't even write this neatly."
Elira Goes Nuclear
Elira slammed the table.
"I WILL END THIS."
"You will not murder diplomacy," Aerin said calmly.
She gripped his shoulders.
"You look SAD. I HATE THAT."
Then she stormed out screaming:
"I'M DEFENDING HIM WITH VIOLENCE!"
Guards chased her.
The Reveal — The Trap Backfires
A brilliant archivist uncovered the truth.
The handwriting matched one person's network.
Valessara.
When confronted publicly, she tilted her head.
"Impressive," she admitted.
"So it was you?" the council demanded.
She smiled.
"I merely accelerated what already existed."
Aerin stepped forward.
"Then you are no ally of this crown."
The hall froze.
A direct challenge.
Valessara met his gaze.
"For the first time," she murmured,
"you sound like a king."
Aftermath — Emotional Fallout
That night, Aerin sat alone.
Exhausted.
Mira visited quietly.
"You did well," she said softly.
"I feel like I'm failing constantly," he admitted.
She smiled gently.
"You're growing. That hurts."
Elsewhere, Cassian stared at the city lights.
"I'm breaking," he whispered to himself.
And Elira burst into the room yelling:
"I DIDN'T STAB ANYONE TODAY. I AM EVOLVING."
Closing — The Stakes Rise
The kingdom now knew:
Valessara was dangerous.
Aerin was not as weak as they thought.
Elira was unstable but loyal.
Mira was steady but hurting.
Cassian was on the verge of collapse.
And the war for love had now become a war for power, reputation, and survival.