Celestina stared at her mother across the small table in her private quarters. The tension was thick, the air heavy with unspoken words. Isolde’s hands trembled as she reached for her tea but didn’t drink. She finally looked at Celestina, her eyes clouded with guilt.

“I need to tell you something, Celestina,” Isolde began, her voice barely above a whisper.

Celestina leaned forward, her brows furrowing. “What is it, Mother? You’re scaring me.”

Isolde sighed, clasping her hands tightly in her lap. “Years ago, before your father exiled me, I formed a… brief alliance with one of his political rivals.”

Celestina blinked in surprise. “Alliance? What kind of alliance?”

Isolde quickly shook her head. “It wasn’t romantic, I swear to you. It was purely strategic. He was a powerful man, and I thought he could help me escape Alvada’s control. I kept it secret because I feared what your father would do if he found out.”

Celestina sat back, stunned. “And he did find out, didn’t he? Is that why he sent you away?”

Isolde nodded, her voice trembling. “Yes. It confirmed his worst fears. His paranoia grew tenfold. He thought I was conspiring against him, and that’s when he threatened to kill you if I stayed.”

Celestina felt a surge of anger and disbelief. “Why didn’t you tell me this earlier? Do you have any idea what the loyalists will do with this information if it gets out?”

Isolde’s eyes filled with tears. “I thought I was protecting you by keeping it buried. But I see now that my silence has only caused more harm.”

The revelation didn’t stay buried for long. News of Isolde’s past alliance leaked to the press within days, sparking a media frenzy. Loyalists seized the opportunity to attack Celestina’s leadership once more, painting Isolde as a manipulative figure who had always schemed in the shadows.

“She’s no victim,” one commentator declared on a popular broadcast. “She’s just as dangerous as her husband was, if not worse. And now Celestina is following in her footsteps.”

Crowds gathered outside the palace, divided between those who supported Celestina and those demanding her resignation. The chants of “Liar!” clashed with cries of “Hope for the future!”

In response to the growing tension, Celestina held an emergency rally in the capital’s main square. She stood on a makeshift stage, her voice steady but filled with emotion as she addressed the crowd.

“I know there are those who doubt me,” she began, her gaze sweeping over the thousands gathered. “And I understand why. The sins of the past have cast long shadows over this nation. But we cannot let those shadows define our future.”

She paused, letting her words sink in. “My mother made mistakes, just as we all have. But her courage to return and stand by my side shows her strength. We are not here to rewrite history—we are here to learn from it and build something better for all of us.”

The crowd stirred, some nodding in agreement, others crossing their arms skeptically.

Celestina’s voice grew firmer. “This is not about my father. It’s not about my mother. This is about you—the people of this nation. Together, we can rise above the divisions and create a brighter future. But I need your trust to do that.”

A ripple of applause began, slowly growing until it spread through much of the crowd. Celestina felt a glimmer of hope, but she knew it wouldn’t be enough to silence her critics entirely.

Back at the palace, the political fallout continued. A group of high-ranking officials met with Celestina in her office, their expressions grim.

“Madam President,” one began, “we’ve received letters from several ministers threatening to resign if you don’t take immediate steps to distance yourself from your mother.”

Celestina’s jaw tightened. “And what exactly do they expect me to do? Abandon her after everything she’s been through?”

Another official spoke up. “The loyalists are using this to undermine everything you’ve worked for. If we lose more allies in the government, it could cripple your administration.”

Celestina slammed her hand on the desk, startling them. “I will not turn my back on my mother. If they want to resign, let them. I’ll find others who are willing to fight for this nation instead of cowering to old loyalties.”

Her words silenced the room, though the tension lingered.

Later that evening, Celestina returned to her mother’s quarters. Isolde was seated by the window, staring out at the city lights.

“I’m sorry,” Isolde said softly, not turning around.

Celestina sat beside her, her voice weary but resolute. “You have nothing to apologize for. You did what you thought was right. Now, it’s my turn to protect you.”

The next morning, panic erupted in the palace. A maid carrying a bouquet of flowers meant for Isolde dropped the arrangement in horror when a sharp chemical smell wafted up from the petals.

“Poison,” she whispered, her face pale as she stepped back.

Guards immediately swarmed the area, confiscating the bouquet and sealing off Isolde’s quarters. Celestina arrived moments later, her face a mixture of rage and fear.

“Who sent them?” she demanded.

A guard shook his head. “There was no card, Madam President. We’re investigating.”

Isolde stood in the corner, visibly shaken. “This is my fault,” she murmured. “I’ve put us all in danger.”

Celestina stepped forward, gripping her mother’s shoulders firmly. “No, this isn’t your fault. This is the work of cowards who can’t stand to see us succeed. But I swear, Mother, I’ll stop them. They will never be able to hurt you, over my dead body.”