the timid bride

Chapter 52 – The Queen's Secret Orders

The royal court was quiet—far too quiet.

Liana stood beside Prince Rael, her head slightly bowed, though her heartbeat thundered in her ears. All around them, nobles filled the great hall, their expensive garments rustling as they whispered behind fans and gloved hands. The air was thick with suspicion.

She hadn't been told why the court was summoned in such haste, only that it involved her. And from the tense way Rael's hand gripped hers, he hadn't been informed either.

At the far end of the hall, King Cedric sat high upon the throne, flanked by his royal advisors. His eyes, sharp as blades, flicked to Liana once—then away.

"Summon the Duchess of Velmara," the king commanded.

The chamber rippled with gasps. The queen—Rael's mother—had not been seen in weeks. Some said she was ill. Others believed she was in mourning. But few expected her to appear now.

The great doors swung open, and Queen Lysandra entered, draped in deep purple and black, her face partially hidden behind a mourning veil. Her presence was ice and steel all at once.

Every eye followed her as she approached the throne, her head held high, her back unyielding.

Liana's stomach twisted.

"My king," Lysandra said with a curtsy. Her voice was smooth and composed. "As you requested, I am here."

Cedric gave a single nod. "Speak. Reveal what you've uncovered."

Lysandra turned, her eyes scanning the court. Then she fixed her gaze directly on Liana.

"There has been a silent threat among us," she began, her voice rising with purpose. "A carefully placed serpent, hiding behind the innocence of a bride."

Whispers flared instantly.

Liana felt every head turn toward her, and though she kept her chin lifted, she could feel her body trembling.

Rael's voice rang out. "What are you accusing her of, Mother?"

Lysandra stepped forward, calm and certain. "I had suspicions from the moment she arrived. Her knowledge of our political treaties, her eagerness to speak with envoys, and most of all—her timing. She came to us just as Gorthia renewed hostilities. I could not overlook the pattern."

She raised a small pouch and handed it to one of the king's guards, who opened it and presented its contents.

Inside were several wax-sealed letters.

"This," Lysandra said, "was discovered among Princess Liana's belongings. The seal of Gorthia. The contents—encoded, but undeniably political in nature. She has been corresponding with our enemy."

"That's a lie!" Liana cried, unable to hold her tongue any longer. "I have never written a single letter to Gorthia. I don't even know their emissary!"

Lysandra narrowed her eyes. "Perhaps. Or perhaps you are more skilled at deception than I thought."

Rael stepped in front of Liana. "You are accusing my wife of treason based on planted evidence and conjecture. Is this truly about justice, Mother, or about your fear of losing control?"

A flicker of anger crossed Lysandra's face. "I am protecting the crown."

King Cedric raised his hand for silence. "Enough. These accusations are serious. Until an investigation is complete, the princess will remain confined to her chambers."

"No," Rael growled. "She will not be treated like a prisoner."

"She is not being punished," the king said coldly. "She is being contained. If she is innocent, she will be proven so."

Rael looked to Liana, his eyes pleading for her to speak.

Liana straightened her shoulders. "Let them confine me. I have nothing to hide. And I will not allow whispers to poison your name, Rael. I will clear mine."

Rael clenched his jaw but nodded. He kissed her forehead. "This isn't over."

As the guards approached, Liana surrendered without resistance. She looked over her shoulder once—straight into the queen's eyes. Lysandra did not smile, but there was a satisfaction there that sent chills through her spine.

---

The moment the doors to her chamber shut, Liana fell to her knees, breath heaving.

Treason? Gorthia?

Someone was trying to destroy her. And it wasn't just a random act. This was calculated.

She paced the room, replaying every moment from the past weeks. Every conversation. Every person who had come too close. Then a name rose from her memory—Lady Zena. The soft-spoken healer from the East.

She had visited Liana's room several times. Had she left those letters?

Liana turned toward her writing desk—and froze.

There, under the ink bottle, was a small folded note. A note that hadn't been there earlier.

Hands shaking, she picked it up and unfolded the parchment.

**"Do not trust the queen. The answers lie in the West Tower. Midnight. Come alone."**

Liana's hands clenched around the note.

A trap? Or a clue?

Either way, it was her only chance.

---

The West Tower had long been abandoned. Dust coated the stone stairs and thick cobwebs clung to the wrought-iron sconces. Liana held a candle close to her chest, careful to keep her footsteps light.

When she reached the final landing, she found a narrow door slightly ajar.

She pushed it open.

Inside, the air was musty and stale, thick with old secrets. Bookshelves lined the walls, but most were crumbling or empty. Scrolls sat forgotten on broken tables.

Then, tucked beneath a tapestry, she spotted a small iron box.

It was already open.

Inside sat a single black book—its cover unmarked, its leather worn with age.

Liana opened it slowly.

The first page bore a single line:

**"To the son I could never claim."**

Her heart stopped.

She flipped through page after page. And the truth unraveled in her hands.

**Lysandra had lied.**

The diary was hers—written in her hand, dated years ago. In it, she confessed everything:

> "Rael is not Cedric's son. His father was a soldier from the East. I loved him before I was forced into this marriage. Cedric suspects nothing. But if he learns the truth, he'll kill Rael to protect the throne."

> "I watched my son grow into a warrior, a prince—but every time I looked at him, I saw the man I lost. And I feared the king would see it too."

Liana stared at the pages, numb. Her entire world tilted.

Rael wasn't just in danger—he was the danger. If this came to light, Cedric would never forgive it. War might erupt within the kingdom.

And the queen had tried to frame *her*—to bury the secret deeper.

Suddenly, a sound behind her.

Liana turned quickly, clutching the diary.

A figure stepped out of the shadows.

Lady Zena.

"I was wondering how long it would take you to find it," she said, voice quiet.

"You left the note."

"Yes. And the letters in your room. You were the only one brave enough to follow the truth."

Liana's eyes narrowed. "You planted the Gorthian seals?"

"I did what I had to," Zena said. "If you hadn't been accused, you'd never have looked for the truth. You'd never believe the queen was capable of treason."

"You risked my life!"

"I risked everything," Zena snapped. "Lysandra has manipulated this kingdom for too long. And now... you have the power to end it."

Liana gripped the diary tighter. "What do you want me to do?"

Zena stepped forward, lowering her voice. "Expose her. Tell Rael the truth. Then leave the rest to me."

"What are you planning?"

Zena smiled faintly. "Justice."

Before Liana could reply, the healer disappeared into the dark, leaving her alone with the queen's most dangerous secret.

And as Liana held the diary against her chest, only one thought echoed in her mind—

**Would Rael still love her once he learned the truth about his blood?**