Her Father’s Nation, Her Secret Life - Chapter 135
Ch. The President Chapter 135 The President Chapter 135
Chapter 135
Apr 2, 2025
The palace was no longer a place of sanctuary for Celestina. The air felt heavy with suspicion, every shadow carrying the potential for betrayal. After finding the chilling note in her office, she had ordered an immediate overhaul of palace security. Guards were reassigned, surveillance cameras installed in every corridor, and a strict vetting process was put in place for anyone entering the palace grounds.
Anton, her chief of security, stood before her desk, detailing the new measures. “Madam President, we’ve doubled the number of guards on your quarters, implemented 24/7 monitoring, and restricted access to only your most trusted staff.”
“Trusted?” Celestina said, her voice laced with doubt. “How can I trust anyone after what’s happened? Even Geoffrey turned out to be a traitor.”
Anton hesitated before responding. “I understand your concern, Madam President, but we’ve taken every precaution. No one will get close to you without my approval.”
She nodded, though the tension in her shoulders remained. “Good. Because if one more person tries to hurt me or my child, there will be consequences.”
Outside the palace, the streets were filled with protesters. They camped out at the gates, their voices a constant reminder of the growing unrest.
“Step down, Celestina!” one man shouted through a megaphone. “You’ve failed us!”
Others waved signs that read, “No More Promises—We Need Action!” and “Save Our Country, Not Your Throne!”
Celestina watched from her window, her chest tightening at the sight. She hadn’t left the palace grounds in weeks, too afraid of the hostility that waited outside.
Her advisor Anton approached, holding a stack of letters. “More demands from the protesters,” he said grimly. “They want immediate action on food aid, housing, and debt relief. They’re losing patience.”
Celestina turned away from the window. “Do they think I don’t want those things too? Do they think I’m sitting here doing nothing?”
“They’re scared, Madam President,” Anton said gently. “And scared people look for someone to blame.”
She sighed, running a hand over her growing stomach. “And that someone is me.”
Her isolation deepened as the days wore on. Celestina spent long hours alone in her room, clutching her stomach as her baby kicked. The rhythmic movements brought her small moments of peace, but the overwhelming loneliness remained.
She often thought of Dimitri, though she tried not to. The pain of their fractured relationship still lingered, but more than that, she missed having someone to share her burdens with.
“Will I ever feel safe again?” she whispered to herself, her voice trembling.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. Liora entered, holding a folder.
“I have news,” Liora said, her expression serious. “I’ve been digging into the media leak, and I think I know who’s behind it.”
Celestina straightened in her chair. “Tell me.”
Liora set the folder on the desk and opened it, revealing documents and photographs. “The leak wasn’t just from Geoffrey. It’s part of a coordinated effort by a faction inside your government. These people still have ties to your father’s regime. They want to destabilize your presidency and make it easier for one of their own to take over.”
Celestina’s stomach sank. “You’re saying my government is full of traitors?”
Liora nodded. “Not all of them, but enough to cause damage. We need to act quickly to root them out.”
“How do I know you’re not one of them?” Celestina asked sharply, narrowing her eyes.
Liora’s expression softened. “You don’t. But if I wanted to betray you, I could’ve done it a long time ago. I’m here because I believe you can save this nation—even if you don’t trust me yet.”
Celestina hesitated, then nodded. “Fine. Keep digging. I want names.”
That evening, Celestina’s dinner was brought to her room by a maid she didn’t recognize. The woman set the tray down carefully, bowing before leaving the room.
Celestina picked up her fork, but something felt off. She paused, staring at the plate of food. The vegetables looked slightly discolored, the meat giving off a faint metallic smell.
Her heart began to race. She reached for the intercom, calling for Anton.
Within moments, Anton arrived with a guard. “What’s wrong, Madam President?”
“This food,” Celestina said, pointing at the plate. “Something’s not right.”
Anton stepped forward, inspecting the tray. He motioned for the guard to bring it to the kitchen for testing.
Minutes later, the guard returned, his face pale. “It’s been poisoned,” he said quietly.
Celestina’s hand flew to her mouth, her stomach twisting.
Anton’s face darkened. “Where’s the maid who delivered this?”
“She’s gone,” the guard replied. “We checked, but no one saw her leave the palace.”
“Lock down the palace,” Anton barked. “I want every inch of this place searched. Find her!”