That was the decision Queen Mirabel made that night.
Not in anger.
But in strategy.
Because queens do not react.
They rearrange destinies.
The palace remained silent after Prince Promise left her chamber.
plans were already forming.
Deadlier than any sword.
Stronger than any command.
Irreversible.
Queen Mirabel stood before the long mirror in her chamber.
Her reflection was calm.
Untouched.
Unshaken.
was moving like a storm.
“Send for Lord Beneth,” she said quietly.
A maid bowed immediately.
Minutes later, Chief Dike returned.
The queen nodded slowly.
Dike hesitated.
“What is your next order?”
The queen turned.
And this time…
there was no softness left.
“We will remind him of his duty.”
Dike lowered his head.
“How?”
The queen’s lips curved faintly.
“With a bride.”
Silence followed.
Because everyone understood what that meant.
Not love.
Not choice.
But alliance.
Power.
Control.
Meanwhile, far from the palace walls, Uli sat alone outside her hut.
The village had grown unusually quiet.
Too quiet.
As if even the wind knew something was coming.
Ada sat beside her.
“You saved him today.”
Uli shook her head.
“No… he saved me.”
Ada looked at her carefully.
“And now?”
Uli’s voice softened.
“Now everything is broken.”
She stared into the distance.
“I feel it.”
Ada frowned.
“Feel what?”
Uli whispered.
“A change.”
Back in the palace, Lord Beneth arrived before midnight.
He was a powerful noble.
Rich.
Respected.
Feared.
And most importantly…
loyal to the throne.
He entered the queen’s chamber and bowed deeply.
“You summoned me, Your Majesty.”
The queen studied him for a moment.
“I have a proposal.”
His eyes lifted slightly.
“I am listening.”
She walked slowly around him.
“My son… needs stability.”
Beneth nodded.
“As every future king does.”
The queen stopped.
“And stability comes with marriage.”
A pause.
Then realization.
“You wish to arrange a union.”
She smiled faintly.
“Yes.”
“And your daughter…”
Beneth’s face changed slightly.
“My daughter, Liora?”
The queen nodded.
“She will be queen.”
Silence filled the room.
Because this was not an offer.
It was a command dressed as opportunity.
Beneth bowed again.
“It would be an honor.”
The queen turned away.
“Good.”
Then she added quietly:
“It will be announced at sunrise.”
At that same time, Prince Promise sat alone in his chamber.
The room was dark.
But his thoughts were louder than any light.
He replayed everything.
Uli’s fear.
Her voice.
Her silence.
And his own choice.
For the first time in his life…
he had gone against the throne.
And deep inside—
he knew.
The throne would answer.
Suddenly, a knock came.
He did not respond.
But the door opened anyway.
Chief Dike entered.
“My prince.”
Promise did not turn.
“What does she want now?”
Dike hesitated.
“Not what she wants… what she has decided.”
Promise slowly stood.
“Speak.”
Dike’s voice was careful.
“There will be an announcement tomorrow.”
Promise frowned.
“What announcement?”
Dike looked at him directly.
“Your marriage.”
Silence exploded in the room.
Not loud.
But violent.
Promise’s voice dropped.
“To who?”
Dike answered.
“Lady Liora.”
The prince laughed once.
Cold.
Disbelieving.
“No.”
Dike did not move.
“It is already arranged.”
Promise turned sharply.
“She cannot decide that for me.”
Dike’s voice lowered.
“She already has.”
The air grew heavy.
Because this was not a discussion.
It was a declaration.
Back in the village, before sunrise—
whispers began to spread.
“They say the prince is getting married.”
“To a noble woman.”
“To someone from the palace.”
Ada ran to Uli immediately.
“You need to hear this.”
Uli looked up.
“What happened?”
Ada hesitated.
Then said it.
“They are giving him another bride.”
Uli froze.
Her breath stopped.
Not from shock.
But from confirmation.
Because she already felt it coming.
She stood slowly.
Her voice barely above a whisper.
“When?”
Ada’s eyes filled with worry.
“Today.”
Uli closed her eyes.
And for the first time…
she did not cry.
Because something inside her changed.
Not broken.
But hardened.
At sunrise, the palace gates opened.
The kingdom gathered.
Trumpets sounded.
Royal guards lined the entrance.
And Queen Mirabel stepped forward.
Her voice carried across the crowd.
“Today, we celebrate the future of this kingdom.”
The people cheered.
Unaware.
Unknowing.
Unprepared.
Because behind the celebration—
a war had already begun.
And somewhere in that crowd—
hidden.
silent.
watching—
stood Uli.
Her eyes fixed on the palace.
Her heart no longer afraid.
Because now…
she understood something dangerous.
This was never about love.
It was about power.
And if the queen wanted war—
then war…
was what she would get.
To be continued… Episode 8: The Girl Who Stood Against the Throne