racks of glamorous dresses she had left and chose a severe, black pants

ain, black-framed glasses. The effect was immediate. They muted her striking be

as already waiting downstairs. Two stone-faced Royal Gua

ominated the city's central axis. Georgia leaned her head back against the cool leat

eing. She cared about Georgia's value as a political pawn, a tool to keep th

d by the two guards down long, opulent hallways, their footsteps echoing on th

to the throne

her throne, a picture of regal displeasure. And in chairs on either side

onflicting pheromones-a storm of cold fu

ast room, her head bowed. As protocol

Maje

e. She let her kneel there on the cold

deceptively light, "tell me what fooli

his voice cutting through the air like a shard of ice.

document onto a nearby table. It w

stated flatly. "I am dissolving my e

lab results, but Lantis had dismissed them as royal fabrications. Now, caught between military loyalty and the truth, his complicated gaze was fixed on Ge

. Her fingers tightened on the

with false maternal warmth. "It was a simple spat between

ace doctors conveniently produced? I know what I felt in my blood, Annabelle. She is a degenerate who tried to drug me, and then used your influence to scrub the evidence. Th

sn't bluffing. A direct confrontation with

lating, shifted to the we

"Explain yourself. The official medical records say you are innocent. Now, tell the

ould enrage Lantis further. If she admitted it, sh

She lifted her head, her eyes carefully filled

e breaking with a sob. "I did it all. I was just... I love him so much.

n the air, stunning t

mask of shock. Why? Why would she

ust as I thought, his expression said. His di

idden manipulation. But there was none. By confessing, Georgia had handed all the power to the Kensin

ct, you are hereby stripped of your title as Princess of the Imperium. All royal stipends and privileges are revoked, ef

is. "And your request f

, throwing her useless

flash of pure, unadulterated triumph

high-pitched siren began to wail from outside

-