Traitor

She paused, her gaze sweeping across the faces of those gathered before her. "We have evidence that points to a traitor within our council, and it is our duty to expose this individual and bring them to justice."

The room erupted into a cacophony of shock and outrage, with council members clamoring to defend themselves and cast suspicion upon their peers. Amidst the chaos, Li Xue stood firm, her determination unwavering.

"We will find the traitor," she vowed, her voice rising above the din. "No

matter how long it takes, or what we must endure, we will protect our kingdom and our people from this unseen enemy."

As the uproar continued, Li Xue glanced at Min-Ho and Aanya, who nodded their support. Together, they had decided on a plan to reveal the traitor. It was risky, but it was the only way they could be certain of their target's identity.

In the following days, Li Xue and her allies set their plan into motion, baiting the traitor with false information about a hidden treasure that could secure the kingdom's power. They knew that the traitor would be unable to resist such a tempting prize, and they carefully monitored the council members for any signs of deceit.

Their patience was rewarded when one of the council members, Lord Zhu, was caught attempting to steal the treasure map from Li Xue's private chambers. With the evidence they needed in hand, Li Xue, Min-Ho, and Aanya confronted Lord Zhu, demanding that he confess to his crimes.

Cornered and exposed, Lord Zhu's facade crumbled, revealing a twisted and power-hungry individual. "Yes, I plotted against the kingdom!" he spat, his eyes burning with rage. "I was tired of the monarchy's incompetence, the endless bickering and squabbling. I wanted to take control and lead our people to greatness!"

Li Xue looked at him with disappointment and sorrow, her heart heavy with the burden of his betrayal. "By seeking power at the expense of others, you have forsaken your duty to our people," she said quietly, her voice filled with resolve. "You will be brought to justice, and our kingdom will heal from the wounds you have inflicted."

With Lord Zhu's arrest, the atmosphere within the Mermaid Kingdom began to change. The tension and unease that had plagued the palace dissipated, replaced by a renewed sense of unity and hope. Li Xue knew that there was still much work to be done, but she had taken the first step in defending her kingdom from the unseen enemy.

As the Mermaid Kingdom slowly recovered from the turmoil, Li Xue continued to learn and grow as a leader, her determination to protect her people unwavering. With the support of her allies and the love of her kingdom, she faced each new challenge with strength and wisdom, proving herself to be a true princess in every sense of the word.