CHAPTER 8 — THE FINAL BETRAYAL
Golden light filled the hidden chamber.
Elara carefully lifted the Crown of Dawn from its pedestal.
The moment she did, another secret doorway slowly opened behind the throne-shaped altar.
Inside stood a circular room unlike anything they had ever seen.
The walls were covered with portraits of every ruler in the kingdom's history.
Except one.
An empty frame hung at the very center.
Beneath it was a single inscription:
"The one who restores the kingdom shall be remembered forever."
Before anyone could step closer, a familiar voice echoed through the room.
"You've all been looking in the wrong direction."
Everyone turned.
The elderly gardener walked forward.
Gone was his humble posture.
Gone was the quiet smile.
He stood tall, his expression cold and unreadable.
Rowan's face changed instantly.
"No..."
The gardener slowly removed the gray beard and wrinkled mask from his face.
Underneath was a much younger man.
"I never cared about flowers," he said calmly.
"I cared about staying close to the royal family."
Prince Adrian tightened his grip on his sword.
"You infiltrated the palace."
"For years," the man replied.
He looked toward Chancellor Edmund.
"My old friend."
Edmund laughed.
"I told you someone inside the palace was helping me."
The disguised gardener bowed mockingly.
"I am the last Grand Master of the Order of the Black Crown."
Gasps filled the chamber.
Even Edmund seemed surprised when the man continued.
"And now..."
"I no longer need you."
Without warning, he drew a hidden blade and plunged it into Edmund's side.
The chancellor staggered backward in disbelief.
"You... betrayed... me..."
"You failed," the Grand Master answered coldly.
"The Order has no use for failures."
Edmund collapsed to the floor.
With his final breath, he looked toward King Aldric.
"I wasn't... the leader..."
Then he died.
The Grand Master slowly turned toward Elara.
"You were never our enemy."
"You were always our key."
He pointed to the Crown of Dawn.
"That crown does more than choose a ruler."
"It unlocks the Vault of Kings."
"A treasury hidden for centuries."
"Wealth beyond imagination."
"Ancient treaties."
"And a document that can decide who has the legal right to rule this kingdom."
The room fell silent.
For years, everyone had believed the Order wanted the throne through violence.
But their true objective had been hidden beneath the palace all along.
The Grand Master smiled.
"Now, Princess..."
"Will you open the vault willingly..."
"...or shall history repeat itself?"
Prince Adrian stepped beside his sister.
Rowan raised his sword.
The king and queen stood shoulder to shoulder with their children.
For the first time in decades, the royal family stood completely united.
Outside, thunder shook the mountains.
Deep beneath the palace, an enormous stone door began to tremble on its own.
Someone...
May you like
Or something...
Was awakening behind the Vault of Kings.
