The morning sunlight spilled into the library, soft and golden, but the warmth did nothing to ease the tension curling in my stomach. Elizabeth had no idea I had proof of her schemes—and the prince would finally see her for what she truly was.
He met me at the doorway, storm-gray eyes fixed on mine, his hand brushing mine ever so lightly as we walked through the halls. There was a quiet confidence in his stride now, one that hadn't been there before. The doubt that had lingered yesterday had vanished, replaced with something steady, something certain.
"Are you ready?" he asked softly, his gaze searching mine.
I took a deep breath. "As ready as I'll ever be."
Elizabeth was in the ballroom, practicing her curtsies before the mirrors, every motion perfect, every expression carefully controlled. When she noticed us, her smile faltered just slightly—but she recovered in an instant.
"Good morning, sister," she said sweetly, her voice dripping with calculated charm. "And… Your Highness."
The prince stepped forward, straightening, his expression calm but commanding. "Elizabeth," he said evenly, "we need to speak. All three of us."
Her smile didn't waver, but there was a flicker of unease in her eyes. "Of course. Shall we?"
We moved to a quieter wing of the castle, away from curious eyes. I felt the weight of the proof in my pocket—the note tucked safely away, my secret weapon.
"Elizabeth," I began, keeping my voice steady, "I know everything. The threats, the lies, the manipulation. I have proof of your plans, and the prince deserves to see it."
Her eyes widened ever so slightly, a crack in her otherwise perfect mask. "I… I don't know what you mean," she said, too smoothly, too quickly.
The prince raised an eyebrow. "I think you do," he said, his voice cold but controlled. "I've seen the proof myself. The note, the instructions to manipulate me… all of it."
Elizabeth's composure wavered, just for a heartbeat, before she smiled again, sharper this time. "Isabella… always so dramatic. Do you think a single note can change what people see?"
"It can when the truth is undeniable," I said, stepping closer, letting the confidence I had built over the past weeks shine through. "And this time, the truth isn't on your side."
The prince nodded, eyes never leaving hers. "I trust Isabella. And now, I see your intentions clearly."
Elizabeth's lips pressed into a thin line. The mask of charm she wore for so long faltered. Her icy eyes flicked to me, then to the prince, and for the first time, she looked genuinely unsettled.
"You… you'll regret this," she hissed under her breath, though there was no real threat in her tone anymore.
I met her gaze, steady and unshaken. "Perhaps. Or perhaps this is the moment you finally realize that deceit only works for so long."
The prince's hand brushed mine again, and I felt a warmth that steadied me. "Isabella," he said quietly, "I'm glad you trusted me enough to show me the truth."
I couldn't help the small smile that tugged at my lips. "You're welcome," I whispered, leaning slightly closer. The air between us was thick, the tension from Elizabeth's schemes evaporating into something entirely different.
Elizabeth turned sharply and swept out of the room, her elegant skirts trailing behind her. And as the door clicked shut, I felt the prince's hand linger on mine, fingers brushing softly.
"Come with me," he said. And without thinking, I let him lead me down the corridor, close enough to feel the warmth of him beside me, close enough that my heart threatened to betray me with every step.