Chapter 40: Petals of Truth, Roots of Betrayal
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Throne Hall – Royal Palace, Elora
The Elven Palace stood not as a monument of stone but as a living structure—grown from crystal and root. Its high ceilings spiraled like blooming petals, filtering moonlight and dawnlight alike. Arcane veins glowed beneath the silver tiles, pulsing faintly with ancestral mana.
At its heart, two men sat beneath a skylight carved in the shape of a lotus—Lios Measter and Dian Skyster.
One, draped in emerald robes threaded with gold, bore the crown of regency.
The other, dressed in midnight black, bore no title—only presence.
"Lord Skyster," Lios began smoothly, standing with open arms. "You have my deepest gratitude."
Dian's brow lifted.
"For what, precisely?"
"For saving my sister," Lios said. "Gianna… she is dear to me. Her absence has weighed heavily on this kingdom. I thank you for returning her safely."
Dian offered a cool smile. "She walked beside me, not behind."
Lios hesitated—then added, "Naturally, we'll begin arrangements for her proper reintegration into Elora. No doubt, some ceremonial cleansing will be required before she can be officially—"
"She is my wife."
The words were spoken with calm finality.
Lios blinked. "…Your what?"
"We were married under the banners of House Skyster." He didn't tell that they married according to the elevn marriage ritual.
That would give the whole situation in his hand, because he knew more than him about 'The elevn marriage ritual '.
The warmth vanished from Lios' face. "That union holds no authority here. Elven Royal Law forbids—"
"She is Skyster now," Dian said, stepping forward.
Voice low. Cold.
"One more word, and I will remind this palace what happens when Skysters are insulted."
The floor dimmed. The mana veins flickered, reacting to the surge of controlled power leaking from him. Wind rustled the high windows. A storm stirred behind those calm eyes.
Lios clenched his jaw. "You would threaten—"
"I warned you."
The tension lasted a breath longer—then faded as Dian stepped back.
"Shall we move on?"
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Queen's Chamber – Later
Gianna sat beside her mother, unmoving.
The soft rise and fall of Queen Emily's chest was barely noticeable. Magic-infused vines shimmered faintly along the bedposts—healing formations maintained by palace druids.
But they weren't working.
Gianna brushed strands of silver hair from her mother's face. Her fingertips trembled.
"Two months… and no cure?" she whispered.
Olivia and Emma exchanged a glance.
"It's not simple," Olivia said, voice strained. "The poison was… rare. Magical. Designed to bypass all usual detection spells. We only know it's poison because the druids couldn't find any physical wounds or illness."
Emma crossed her arms. "No one's been able to trace the source. And Lios…"
She stopped.
Gianna's brows furrowed. "Lios what?"
Emma looked away. "Nothing."
Suzine stepped forward quietly, her voice soft. "Why was the Queen not moved to the Healing Grove? Wouldn't the elder shamans be able to help?"
Olivia hesitated.
"That grove is under Lios' authority now," she said carefully. "And he says… it's best the Queen stay here."
Gianna stood up. "He says?"
A tension crackled through the air.
"I'll speak to him," she said.
Olivia's voice turned gentle. "Gianna… please don't push him. Lios has changed. He's not the brother you remember."
"I can see that," Gianna murmured bitterly.
With that she left, her steps only halted when she was infront of Dian in then Castle's hall's.
Her presence commanding.
"We need to talk."
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Moments Later – Private Terrace Overlooking the Gardens
The three sat alone—Dian, Gianna, and Suzine.
The moon hung high again, and the light felt colder.
"She was poisoned," Gianna said. "They've done nothing. Nothing. And they won't move her to the Grove."
Dian frowned. "Who gains from her absence?" His acting mastery, if you can say, was on.
"Lios," Suzine answered quietly. "If the Queen dies, his regency turns into full rule."
Gianna's eyes were glassy. "I can't believe he'd do this. Not him. Not my brother…"
Dian placed a hand gently over hers.
"Then let's prove it."
But inside his mind something else was going on... "Hey, aren't my wives the most intelligent?" Dian asked in his mind.
" Yeah,yeah... Very, Very intelligent." The system answered, her voice bored. " I don't think anybody else would have discovered it."
But her last line felt... like a Taunt?
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Royal Archives – That Night
Jones led them silently through a hidden spiral beneath the palace—a tunnel of polished rootstone and sealing runes. The Royal Archives waited below, dust-choked and silent.
Gianna pressed her hand to a sigil on the ancient door, As if remembering her.
It opened.
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Inside, Dian's Eye of Perception glowed faintly. Scrolls and relics lined the walls—records of politics, medicine, war… and secrets.
A black-threaded scroll caught his attention.
Dian opened it.
"Dosage logs," he murmured. "Notes on 'A New poison'. Effects. Targets."
And at the bottom—her name.
"Emily Measter," Suzine read aloud.
Gianna covered her mouth.
"Is he some type of psycho? Why record all this?" Dian thought.
Gianna shook. But her voice was steel.
"We confront him. Publicly."
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Garden Breakfast – The Next Morning
The Royal Garden bloomed in serene glory—mana-fed cherry blossoms falling gently around embroidered tables. Nobles and councilors dined on golden plates. A bard strummed a lyre softly in the background.
And then the air changed.
Dian Skyster entered.
Flanked by Suzine and Gianna, he drew every gaze.
Lios stood at the head of the table.
"Lord Skyster," he said, forcing a smile. "Did you sleep well?"
"Perfectly," Dian replied. "Though strange dreams haunted me."
He lifted his cup. "To those who poison their own blood."
Gasps broke across the table. Nobles froze.
Lios' face hardened. "Speak carefully."
Gianna stepped forward. "Then I will speak plainly."
"I accuse Crown Prince Lios Measter of poisoning our mother—Queen Emily Measter."
A stunned silence.
"You have no proof!" Lios spat.
Dian held up the scroll. "Signed by your hand. Pulled from your archive."
Lios turned darker. " ... it's not mine". He spoke but, his eyes faltered.
"But it has your magic signatures". Gianna spoke as she highlighted a glowing part of the scroll.
" ...no"
That single word was too fast.
Too defensive.
Too damning.
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[Ding!]
[Main Quest Branch Unlocked – The Blooming Betrayal]
[ Objective: Expose the traitor and win the bets.
Progress: 20%
Rewards: Class Advancement Token, Elven Blessing (Unknown), +1000 L.P. ]
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The nobles turned to each other, murmuring.
The silence shattered.
The petals began to fall.
And in the center, Gianna held her chin high—standing beside the man who never bowed.
.
.