## **Chapter 12: Throne of Thorns**
Safehouse stormed. Guards fell fast. Ayla barricaded door. Damian loaded clips. Tano hid under bed. Mom prayed soft.
New Raja entered. Cousin. Cruel eyes. "Crown, Ayla. Or bloodbath."
She peered. Ulos bloodied. Golok drawn. "Papa's will. Lead us."
Damian scoffed. "Puppet queen."
Raid intensified. Explosions rocked walls.
Ayla flashed back. Toba memories rushed. Raja's laugh. Secret lessons. Princess training.
"I remember." Voice steady. "But no killer."
New Raja lunged. Damian parried. Fists flew. Golok clashed knife.
Ayla grabbed Tano. Mom shot thug. Chaos.
Nadia megaphone outside. "Bomb vest on child!"
Timer beeped on courier drone. Dropped vest near.
Damian dove. Defused. Wires sparked.
Ayla confronted cousin. "End this."
He sneered. "Throne or die."
She fired. Winged him. Guards surrendered.
Nadia's voice crackled. "Samosir falls next."
Helicopter escape. Tano safe. Mom weak.
Ayla to Damian: "Queen? Or wife?"
Kiss sealed. "Both."
But drone footage leaked. Ayla crowned online. Riots Medan.