CHAPTER 8 – “The Funeral That Exposed the King’s Biggest Lie”
The entire kingdom gathered for King Hassan’s state funeral.
Black limousines lined the palace gates.
World leaders filled the front rows.
Television cameras broadcast every second live.
Officially...
The King had died of a sudden heart attack.
Unofficially...
Rumors spread that he had collapsed moments after watching the security footage proving he had ordered the disappearance of his own granddaughter.
But no one dared say it aloud.
Not yet.
Hidden inside a black SUV parked across the street, Emily watched the ceremony through tears.
"I should be there," she whispered.
"He was still my grandfather..."
Sheikh Zayed shook his head.
"No."
"If you walk into that palace today..."
"...they'll arrest you before you reach the front gate."
Then the old advisor received a phone call.
His face turned pale.
"The Royal Council has made its decision."
"They're going to destroy every piece of evidence before the funeral ends."
Emily's eyes widened.
"What?"
"The letters..."
"The DNA report..."
"The original decree..."
"They're all inside the palace archive."
"If those documents disappear..."
"You'll never be able to prove who you are."
Meanwhile...
Inside the throne room, members of the Royal Council argued fiercely.
Some wanted the truth revealed.
Others feared civil unrest.
One elderly council member quietly stood.
"We have one witness no one can silence."
Everyone looked confused.
He pressed a button on the conference table.
The palace doors slowly opened.
An elderly woman entered in a wheelchair.
Her silver hair was tied neatly beneath a black veil.
The moment she appeared...
Every council member stood.
Even the Prime Minister lowered his head.
Emily, watching through the live television broadcast, gasped.
"I know her..."
The Sheikh stared at the screen in disbelief.
"No..."
"It can't be..."
The old woman removed her veil.
"My name..."
"...is Queen Mother Amira."
The room froze.
For twenty years, the public had been told she had died overseas after a long illness.
But she was alive.
And she had remained hidden in a private residence under constant surveillance.
She slowly looked around the throne room before speaking.
"I watched my own son steal a child."
"I watched innocent people imprisoned."
"I remained silent because they threatened to kill that little girl if I spoke."
Tears filled her eyes.
"But today..."
"I choose truth."
She lifted a small velvet pouch onto the council table.
Inside was an ancient royal signet ring.
Only one person in each generation could legally wear it.
She looked directly into the television cameras.
"If Emily Carter is alive..."
"Bring her home."
"Because she is the last rightful blood of my husband."
Millions watching across the country gasped.
Within minutes...
Social media exploded.
#FindEmily
#TheLostPrincess
#JusticeForEmily
The nation that had hunted her only hours earlier...
Was now searching for her to protect her.
But as hope returned...
A palace guard suddenly burst into the council chamber.
"Your Majesty!"
"The royal archives..."
"...they're on fire!"
The old advisor's face drained of color.
"The evidence..."
"It's all burning."
Then another guard shouted from the doorway:
"No..."
"It wasn't an accident."
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"Someone locked the archivist inside."
TO BE CONTINUED...
