CROWN OF FORBIDDEN HEARTS
Chapter 54: SECRETS...

Chapter 54: 54: SECRETS...

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Lady Vaelor had never felt more powerful. The moment she slipped away from the queen’s chambers last night, her heart had pounded with exhilaration, her mind spinning with the possibilities of what she had just learned.

The queen carried a child that was not Alaric’s.

And that secret was now hers to wield.

She stood before her mirror, a triumphant smile curling on her lips as she admired her reflection. The deep crimson of her gown clung to her curves, her dark hair pinned in an elegant twist, her lips stained the color of wine. She had always been a woman of poise, of ambition, and above all else, devotion.

Devotion to the only man who had ever mattered to her after an unexpected encounter.

Alaric.

For years, she had loved him from the shadows. He had been her obsession, her purpose.

Every move she made to spy on the queen and the rebels, every whisper in the council, every decision to strengthen his reign, it had all been for him. And yet, he never really SAW her.

Because of one person.

THE QUEEN.

The woman who had done nothing but stand in his way.

The woman he should have destroyed, yet instead, he worshipped her like she was some untouchable deity.

It was maddening.

But now, fate had finally intervened.

This secret would destroy the queen and it would also destroy every feeling of love that Alaric felt towards the queen and this reality made queen vaelor grin and it made her toes curl up in excitement.

And when Alaric would turned against his treacherous queen, Lady Vaelor would be the one left standing. She would be the one to comfort him, to hold him, to finally have him.

Her fingers trailed along her collarbone as she smirked. "Soon, my love". she thought out loud.

With that thought, she turned on her heel and strode out of her chambers.

Tonight, the queen would know exactly what kind of battle she had coming.

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The queen’s chambers were dimly lit, the golden glow of candlelight flickering across the stone walls. Zara sat in her chair, draped in a silk robe, her long silver hair cascading over her shoulders in loose waves. She appeared serene, unbothered, even.

But Lady Vaelor knew better.

There was something lurking beneath her calm façade.

Something fragile.

And it was time to break her.

"My Queen," Vaelor purred, stepping into the room with an air of practiced grace. "I hope I’m not disturbing your evening."

Zara barely lifted her gaze, idly running her fingers along the rim of her goblet. "You always disturb me, Vaelor. The only question is whether you’ll bore me as well this time."

A sharp laugh escaped Lady Vaelor. "Bore you? Oh, I assure you, Your Majesty, I came with entertainment tonight."

"first of all, that is no way to speak to your queen, you know better than that" the queen commanded in a bid to undercook lady vaelor, it was a power play.

Lady vaelor obviously fell into this trap, she summed but still was able to gauge herself.

Zara finally looked up, her sharp green eyes locking onto Vaelor’s with cool disinterest. "come on...say what you must and leave. I have very little patience for your games."

Vaelor stepped closer, tilting her head, her smirk widening. "Oh, but I do so love our little games, they are...exhilarating, don’t you think your Majesty?"

Zara arched a brow. "No."

Amusement flickered in Vaelor’s eyes, but beneath it was something darker. She circled the room, her fingers grazing the edge of Zara’s vanity. "I was just thinking... how quickly a woman can fall from grace. One day, she is adored, untouchable. The next..." She clicked her tongue. "A single whisper can make an empire crumble beneath her feet."

Zara took a slow sip from her goblet, her expression unreadable. "Are you speaking about yourself, Vaelor? Because I do enjoy watching you try so hard to matter."

The insult struck like a slap, but Lady Vaelor did not flinch. Instead, she leaned in, lowering her voice. "You should watch your back, My Queen. Because I am coming for you."

Zara let out a short, incredulous laugh, her lips curling in amusement. "You?" she scoffed. "I’ve never taken you seriously, Vaelor. And I never will."

Vaelor’s nails dug into her palms. "That is your mistake."

Zara set down her goblet and leaned forward, her voice like velvet laced with steel. "No, Vaelor, the only person here making a mistake is YOU and Your mistake is thinking you could ever be my equal."

For a moment, there was silence.

Then, Lady Vaelor straightened, smoothing out her gown, her smirk returning. "We shall see, My Queen."

Without another word, she turned on her heel and strode out of the chambers.

Zara watched her leave, her amusement lingering, but deep inside, something nagged at her. A quiet unease.

Because Vaelor never played her hand unless she was certain she could win.

the queen was nervous but still had to gauge her emotions for she knew she needed to be strong.

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The halls were deathly quiet, quiet enough for the steady click, click, click of Lady Vaelor’s heels as she glided toward the warlord’s private wing. Each step was measured, deliberate and her heart beating not with fear, but with thrill.

The air was thick with the scent of burning torches and damp stone, but to her, it smelled like victory.

She could already see it, the queen`s world crumbling, her hold on the throne slipping like sand through her fingers.

Alaric had been blind, but not for much longer because she was about to `save him from himself`

Tonight, she would plant the seed. And when it bloomed, the queen would be ruined.

As she reached the towering doors of his chambers, she didn’t hesitate. No waiting, no asking for permission. With a firm push, she stepped inside, the heavy wood groaning as it swung open.

Her eyes found him immediately.

Alaric stood near the balcony, his broad frame cast in flickering torchlight. The sharp planes of his face were partially shadowed, but even from across the room, she could feel the weight of his presence. His dark hair stirred slightly from the night breeze, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword, a man born for war, sculpted by blood and conquest.

But he was distracted. His shoulders were tense, his breathing slow and deep. He was thinking, no doubt about the queen.

Lady Vaelor’s lips curled. Soon, he’d be thinking of nothing but what she had to say, so she thought.

She took a step forward, her voice smooth, laced with honeyed purpose.

"My King."

Alaric’s golden eyes flickered toward her. A brief glance, nothing more, but she saw the faint narrowing of his gaze, the restrained impatience.

"What is it, Vaelor?" His voice was deep, uninterested.

He hadn’t dismissed her yet. That was enough.

She stepped closer, the fabric of her gown whispering against the stone floor. "I bring you something far more important than the endless council affairs," she said, tilting her chin slightly. "Something that concerns you."

Alaric exhaled, slow and measured, before finally turning to face her fully. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes, molten green, piercing and locked onto hers with sharp curiosity.

"Speak plainly."

Her smile widened. Oh, no. That would be too easy.

"Do you ever wonder," she mused, stepping even closer, "what secrets a queen keeps?"

Alaric’s jaw twitched, but he said nothing.

She took another step. "A woman like her, do you think she tells you everything?"

His silence stretched. A muscle ticked in his jaw, but his expression remained unreadable.

Lady Vaelor’s heart thrilled.

She had his attention.

"You are a man of war, my king," she continued, voice barely above a whisper. "A ruler. A conqueror. And yet... a fool when it comes to her."

Alaric moved. "watch your tongue, or ill have it" he warned.

In a single breath, he had closed the distance between them, his grip locking hard around her wrist.

The heat of his touch burned through the silk of her sleeve, but she refused to flinch.

His voice was low, a growl of warning.

"Choose your next words carefully, Vaelor."

A shiver raced down her spine, but she held his gaze, steady and unyielding.

She had always loved when he was like this, dangerous, close enough to snap, yet reining it in.

"You don’t frighten me, Alaric," she whispered. "Not when I know something you don’t."

His fingers flexed slightly around her wrist, but he didn’t release her. "I don’t have time for your games vaelor."

"Oh, but this isn’t a game." She smiled. "This is truth."

She leaned in, letting her breath ghost against his skin. "And it will change everything."

Alaric’s grip tightened just for a fraction of a second, before he finally let go. His eyes burned into hers, demanding an answer, but she only stepped back, brushing the creases from her sleeve as if unfazed.

Then, she met his gaze once more, eyes gleaming with wicked promise.

"Your queen has lied to you my king."

And with those words, the foundation of everything was soon to crack.