Caught in the act

(Lina)

After the sparring session with Kieran, I headed back to the small room filled with flowers. 

I didn't come here often, but lately, it had become my retreat—a place to catch my breath and find some peace despite everything going on.

I felt the System as soon as I closed the door behind me, that familiar vibration signaling a new mission.

'New Mission Assigned: Expose Elara's plot.'

The words sent a jolt through me. It wasn't exactly a surprise—Elara had been circling like a vulture for months now, and I knew she wanted the crown. 

Nicholas was more than eager to help her get it. But this was the first time the System itself had called out her plan, and it meant the stakes were higher than ever.

I barely had a second to process this when the System flashed another alert: Warning: Elara is on her way. Prepare to record.