A desperate alliance

(Lina)

I walked into the royal court, my heart pounding because I was nervous, but I kept calm. Today wasn't about fear or doubt—it was about justice. 

I clutched my phone tightly, the recording on it my only weapon against Nicholas and Elara. It held every word, every threat, and every lie they had thrown at me, hoping to push me out of their path to the throne. But they were wrong. I wasn't going anywhere.

As I reached the center of the room, every pair of eyes was on me. The court members, dressed in their fine robes and sitting in a half-circle, looked down with a mix of curiosity and caution.

I could feel their judgment. But I didn't flinch. I needed their support, and today, I was ready to prove that I deserved it.

One of the members, a stern-looking man with graying hair, leaned forward. He was known for his fairness and often spoke first in the court. "Princess Isabella," He said. "What brings you before us today?"