LIV | MASQUERADE BALL
He'd once again called her Celery, then shook her hand and clapped her on the back.
For some reason, Celvene was surprised he'd been truthful to her Elas illusion.
Oriel had given her more runespowder, weapons, and magical artifacts, stashed away in their vacant office.
She wasn't entirely sure it was meant for her, but she was sure they wouldn't mind.
Now, she was going to put it all to use.
Instead of dressing in a gown, she'd dressed practically, using items she and Melantha scavenged from around the castle through unlocked doors.
She was too afraid Noriya would attack, and if they did, she didn't want to be tripping over herself in a skirt; even Aleksandr attacking was a possibility, especially since he'd be on high alert after Celvene used her. .. magic on him.
So she'd worn a long-sleeved white blouse, brown trousers with a belt looped to the buckle filled with different items to protect herself, and a striped cloak to conceal her face.
Without removing her hood, it was almost impossible to tell who she was.
She would be safe until she got onto the stage, as long as Aleksandr didn't look too hard into the crowd.
Most of the guards, according to Nero, would be on her side.
People had already flooded the ballroom, and the sweet melody of strings pierced the air. Tonight, a long, thin, crimson rug ran from the entrance to the stage at the end of the room. So far, none of the attendees had visible weapons on them, and the guards weren't working against Celvene—yet.
But she wasn't going to let her guard down. Noriya citizens and sympathizers could be in the city until she'd driven Aleksandr out and was crowned queen. And even then, it wasn't guaranteed that they wouldn't stick around to try to wedge themselves into Aizasea's inner workings.
She slipped into the ballroom, ignoring how underdressed she felt.
The ball had been branded as a masked masquerade, and above every frilly dress and sleek suit was a mask of an animal that roamed the wilds of Fellstride.
Celvene had seen dragons, wolves, deer, even vampires, though she wasn't sure they counted as an animal.
By now, dozens, if not hundreds, of citizens had congregated in the ballroom.
Multiple ginormous mirrors were hanging from the wall, and some people already checked their reflections.
Heels clicked against the floor, drowned out by the steady patter of drums. Jovial laughter rang out in peals. Celvene frowned.
As she continued to walk towards the stage where the band was playing, a figure caught her eye.
Aleksandr. She stepped back into the crowd, melting amongst them, and blew out an exasperated breath.
Of course he had to beat her to the stage.
He wore a maroon suit, paired with a gold tie and cufflinks.
He'd slicked his blond hair back and with the expression on his face, it was like he hadn't been frozen by the rightful queen and saw his estranged daughter mere hours before.
A microphone was situated near the helm of the stage, surrounded by the blue glow of an illusion spell that would amplify his voice for the entire palace. Aleksandr picked it up and cleared his throat, sending a screech throughout the ballroom and silencing the chattering crowd.
They all turned their attention to Aleksandr, and a few clapped. Celvene stifled an eye roll.
"My dear citizens," said Aleksandr, confidence oozing from his voice. "As your friend, king, and savior, I am delighted to stand before you not as your ruler, but as your equal."
An equal who refers to himself as a savior?
"Due to Virion's lax rule, our great kingdom suffered.
We were powerless to fight back against the tyranny and wickedness of Noriya.
Our soldiers remained weak, and our home remained starving and shivering.
Noriya has stolen our resources, our livelihood, and some of our most beloved citizens' lives.
As king, I intend to put a stop to this. "
Applause built in the audience. Celvene's hand curled into a taut fist.
"As such, this is why I have decided to move the crowning ceremony to tonight.
I do not have the power to help our kingdom without the crown, and Aizasea's safety is of utmost importance.
Standing in as leader has helped us to survive Noriya's sieges, but to win, we need a man with power.
And that man will be me, my dear kingdom. "
Celvene's heart dropped in her chest, her blood running cold. Tonight was his crowning ceremony? If he was planning to push up the ceremony, there was no way he would advise Noriya to attack. In fact, if he was being crowned tonight, would Noriya ever attack again?
"For now, I will leave you to your merriments.
Drink. Dance. Enjoy yourselves, for this is the start of a new dawn for Aizasea.
After tonight, we will no longer be weak in Noriya's eyes.
I will help us rise to become the most powerful hold in Fellstride.
Even Noriya's army will fear us." Aleksandr raised a glass, filled to the rim with a plum-colored liquid. "To our kingdom."
Cheers erupted in the audience, and Celvene shrank into herself as she was jostled from side to side. Alcohol splashed onto the ground. Laughter rang out. Celvene shouldered her way out of the crowd, tightening her hood around her head.
Gods.
When she glanced back at the stage, Aleksandr was stepping down, slow in his movements. Almost like he expected her. She had a clear shot, and the microphone was still on stage. If she went now...
It was now or never.
She ran up to the stage, passing the steps in a giant leap and not hesitating to grab the microphone.
Aleksandr had shifted, hands outstretched like he'd gone to grab her, but he'd shuffled back into an awkward neutral position before she'd touched the microphone.
Either he hadn't been confident in her identity, or he didn't want to cause a scene.
The microphone sent another wave of feedback booming throughout the ballroom, and the audience fell silent once again. But this time, the silence was not eager; it was uneasy and fearful.
Celvene lowered her hood, and gasps rippled throughout the crowd, followed by whispers.
"Citizens of Aizasea," she said, and to her surprise, her voice didn't shake.
Aleksandr's eyes had darted around the room, like he was scanning the crowd for Celvene. When his eyes settled on her, his wine glass slipped from his grip and shattered on the ground.
"I come to you bearing awful news," she continued, ignoring Aleksandr's reddening face.
She dug into her pocket and pulled out Aleksandr's letters.
"Aleksandr, your false king, has been lying to you.
He's been lying to all of us. He doesn't have Aizasea's interests at heart—he's trying to destroy this city! "
Aleksandr made a start for the stage, but Celvene ignored him. If he was smart, he wouldn't do anything to her in front of an audience. It would prove Celvene right.
The red haze within her mind strengthened.
"He has been working with Noriya since before Virion died.
He helped to assassinate our beloved king so he could seize power.
When the assassin arrived, he made sure the path to Virion was left unguarded, the king sat beneath the most fragile window, and no guards stood near Virion.
And conveniently, he was the first in line for the crown because of Virion's lack of family. But I am his daughter."
The audience collectively turned their heads to gawk at Aleksandr, who had paused in front of the stage.
"I am Virion's true daughter. I am the rightful heir.
I am a demigod." She lowered the microphone, throwing a challenging glare his way.
"A man of the people, Aleksandr. As always.
I implore you, my dear kingdom, to listen to me.
What true leader would strip someone else's right, whether to the throne or something else?
What true leader would kill their king to further their chances at taking the crown for themselves?
And what true leader would betray the kingdom he claims to love for their enemy?
To run away to the kingdom trying to strike Aizasea down, no less?
Aleksandr is not an ally of Aizasea. He is its downfall! "
While Celvene only extrapolated her accusations from the information from the letters and Ziel Rui's confession, judging by the way Aleksandr's face had lost its reddened color in favor of white, she was correct.
The audience stared at her, eyes just as large as Aleksandr's.
But she recognized the look on their faces—it was not an expression of doubt.
At least, not the doubt she'd grown accustomed to seeing when it was targeted at her.
Now, the doubt was focused on Aleksandr. It was one of understanding and approval.
An icy rune crackled behind her, ready to be cast should someone oppose her speech.
The guards had orders to stand down, but she didn't know who would bypass commands.
"He has staged more attacks on Aizasea. Two more by the end of this month.
I do not have concrete evidence, but I have reason to believe they will strike tonight.
For your safety, I request an evacuation of the castle, but first, I would like to provide proof of my findings.
Straight from the place Aleksandr believed his dirty secrets would be safe. "
Aleksandr's eyebrows drew close. He understood exactly where she'd found this information from.
But it was as if the giant oaf was frozen in place.
Not a single limb twitched; his chest barely rose.
Yet she knew it wasn't her own magic. It almost unnerved Celvene.
But she ignored it—she had a show to conclude.
Clearing her throat, she met the audience's gazes, struggling not to smile.
It was finally all coming together. "Bienva, General Litvinski," she started.
"I have received your prior communication about the militaristic plans Aizasea has laid out.
I appreciate the letter. Henra has been advised to adapt our next siege to match what we discussed.
When we attack on the sixteenth, we will make sure to not breach the inner city so as to not endanger your safety.
This is a slow game, but it is one we are willing to play in order to take down the rebellious result of my inane brother's asininity. "
The crowd was no longer silent. Now, they spoke in hushed murmurs once again, and unease was heavy in the room.
But Celvene wanted—needed to finish.
If not for the kingdom, then for herself.
"If you are not able to take that crown from the girl by the end of the month, we will stop making an attempt to not touch anything outside of Aizasea's gates.
You have received a list of the planned attacks for the rest of the current month, where we will ramp up our efforts.
Aizasea will fall by the end of winter. Salunai, Zelphar Zepelda. "
She paused, taking a deep breath. When she spoke next, her voice boomed throughout the ballroom without the microphone.
"Save yourselves before Noriya can attack.
And I beg of you, citizens of Aizasea," she said, holding the letter up high.
"Tranora marent, fulhemus. Spread the word.
Fill every nook and cranny within Aizasea's walls with the truth.
Tell your friends at the tavern, and tell your family at home.
We cannot allow this man to take the crown.
I am your true ruler. I am the one destined to take the crown.
Not General Litvinski," she hissed, the words coated with poison. "This is an uprising! A revolution!"
In the split second she'd taken her eyes off Aleksandr, he'd jumped the stage. She couldn't react in time, given his speed. He barreled into her and knocked her off her feet. The microphone clattered to the floor, sending another discordant screech echoing throughout the room.
As Celvene fell, she swiped her hand through the rune. Ice sprouted from its cold grip. While it didn't go exactly where she wanted it to—below her so it could catch her—it did rush forward.
The magic wrapped itself around Aleksandr, who was mere inches away from Celvene's throat, and froze him in place. Celvene hit the ground with a hard thump. Pain shot up her spine, and she rubbed her tailbone, looking up at Aleksandr—along with the large, gleaming knife in his hand.