The square was alive with energy as citizens gathered to hear Celestina unveil her recovery plan. Banners fluttered in the breeze, and the crowd cheered as she stepped onto the podium. Dressed in a modest suit, she radiated both confidence and compassion, determined to show her people that she was committed to rebuilding the nation.

Dimitri stood nearby, his sharp eyes scanning the crowd. He’d learned to trust his instincts, and something about today felt… off.

“My fellow citizens,” Celestina began, her voice clear and steady. “This recovery plan is not just about numbers or policies. It’s about hope. It’s about showing the world that we will rise from the ashes of corruption and build a brighter future—together.”

The crowd erupted in applause, but Dimitri’s attention was elsewhere. A man in a security uniform stood near the stage, his stance too rigid, his hand hovering suspiciously near his hip.

Dimitri’s stomach dropped. “No,” he whispered to himself, already moving.

The man drew a pistol, aiming directly at Celestina. Time seemed to slow as Dimitri lunged toward her, shouting, “Get down!”

The crack of the gunshot shattered the air. Celestina staggered back, clutching her arm as pain seared through it. Dimitri shielded her, his arms around her shoulders as chaos erupted in the square.

“Are you hit?” Dimitri’s voice was panicked as he examined her.

“It’s just a graze,” Celestina said through clenched teeth, trying to steady her breathing. Blood seeped through the fabric of her sleeve, but the wound wasn’t deep.

The crowd scattered in panic, and guards swarmed the stage, tackling the would-be assassin to the ground.

Dimitri’s fury boiled over as he glared at the restrained man. “You were supposed to keep her safe!” he barked at the security detail.

One guard stammered, “We didn’t see him… he must’ve blended in with the team—”

“Then you weren’t looking hard enough,” Dimitri snapped, his voice laced with venom.

Celestina placed a hand on his arm, her voice firm. “Dimitri, stop. Focus on the people. They need to see I’m alright.”

“Alright?” he repeated, incredulous. “You were nearly killed, Celestina!”

Her eyes blazed with determination. “I won’t hide while my people suffer. They need to see me standing here. Alive.”

Dimitri shook his head but stepped aside, his jaw tight with frustration.

Back at the palace, Dimitri paced the room, his anger barely contained. Celestina sat on a chaise, her arm bandaged but her mind still racing from the day’s events.

“You can’t keep doing this,” Dimitri said, stopping in front of her. His voice was raw, a mix of fear and frustration. “You can’t keep putting yourself in danger like this.”

“I can’t hide, Dimitri,” Celestina said, her tone just as firm. “The people need to see that I’m fighting for them, not cowering behind palace walls.”

Dimitri dropped into the chair across from her, his face pale. “You’re not just fighting for the people anymore. You’re carrying a child, Celestina. Do you understand what’s at stake? If something happens to you, it’s not just the nation that loses—it’s our family.”

Her resolve faltered for a moment, but she quickly recovered. “I know the risks. But how can I expect the people to trust me if I can’t face the same dangers they do?”

“You don’t have to do it alone,” he said, his voice softer now. “If they can’t find you, they can’t hurt you.”

She frowned. “What are you saying?”

“A doppelgänger,” Dimitri said. “Someone who looks like you, who can attend public events in your place when the risks are too high.”

Celestina’s eyes widened. “You want to replace me with a stranger?”

“Not replace,” Dimitri clarified. “Protect. You’d still be leading, still making the decisions. But for events like today? We can’t take any more chances.”

She shook her head. “I can’t ask someone else to take a bullet for me. It’s not right.”

“It’s not about what’s right,” Dimitri said, leaning forward. “It’s about survival—yours, the baby’s, and this nation’s. Please, Celestina. Just consider it.”

After a long pause, she nodded reluctantly. “Fine. I’ll hear you out. But this isn’t a decision I’ll take lightly.”

That night, Dimitri called a small meeting with Celestina’s most trusted allies.

“We need to act fast,” he said. “This has to stay quiet. The moment anyone learns we’re looking for a double, it’ll put Celestina in even more danger.”

Elara crossed her arms. “Do you even know how to find someone who looks like her?”

“It’s not just about appearances,” Dimitri replied. “They need to have the same mannerisms, the same presence. It’ll take time, but we don’t have a choice.”

Liora raised an eyebrow. “And how do we explain this to Celestina’s supporters? People aren’t blind. They’ll notice if something’s off.”

Dimitri sighed. “That’s why this has to be flawless. We’ll train whoever we find. They’ll learn everything about Celestina—how she speaks, how she moves. No one will suspect a thing.”

As Dimitri’s team began their search, Celestina sat in her study, staring out at the darkened city. Her heart was heavy with doubt.

“I never wanted this,” she whispered to herself. “To live in fear, to wonder if every decision could cost me everything.”

A knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts. A guard handed her a folded piece of paper, then left without a word.

Unfolding it, Celestina felt her blood run cold. The message was simple but chilling:

“The next time, she won’t survive.”