The atmosphere in the palace was tense as Celestina sat at the head of the long conference table, scanning the list of names presented by Anton, her chief of security. The document contained a shocking revelation: loyalist sympathizers had infiltrated even the highest levels of her administration.

“These people swore loyalty to this government,” Celestina said, her voice trembling with controlled anger. She slammed the papers on the table. “How long have they been working against us?”

Anton stood at attention, his expression grim. “We believe some have been loyal to your father’s regime from the beginning. Others were likely recruited more recently. The loyalist network is larger and more organized than we suspected.”

Celestina clenched her fists, her eyes narrowing. “Then root them out. I don’t care what it takes—remove every single one of them.”

One of her advisors hesitated. “Madam President, if we start arresting high-ranking officials without concrete evidence, it could destabilize the government even further. We must proceed carefully.”

Celestina shot him a sharp glare. “Carefully? They are planning to destroy everything we’ve worked for! This isn’t the time for caution—it’s the time for action.”

As the investigation unfolded, the scale of the conspiracy became clear. Loyalists had been quietly working to destabilize Celestina’s administration, leaking information, mismanaging resources, and spreading propaganda to sow distrust among the people.

Late one evening, Dimitri burst into Celestina’s office, clutching a stack of documents. His face was pale with urgency.

“I’ve uncovered something you need to see,” he said, dropping the papers onto her desk.

Celestina picked up the top sheet and scanned it. Her eyes widened. “Foreign funding?”

Dimitri nodded grimly. “Hestrel is backing the loyalists. They’re funneling money and resources to fuel the rebellion. If we act too aggressively, it could provoke an international incident.”

Celestina leaned back in her chair, her mind racing. “So not only are we fighting a domestic threat, but we’re also dealing with foreign interference. This just keeps getting better.”

Dimitri placed a hand on her desk, leaning closer. “We need to be smart about this, Celestina. If we go after them without proof, it could backfire. But if we let them gain more ground, they’ll tear everything apart.”

Her jaw tightened. “Then we’ll find the proof we need and expose them. I won’t let them win, Dimitri.”

As the pressure mounted, Isolde tried to reason with her daughter. She found Celestina in her study, poring over maps and reports late into the night.

“Celestina, you need to rest,” Isolde said, her voice gentle but firm.

Celestina didn’t look up. “I don’t have time to rest, Mother. They’re planning something big. I need to be ready.”

Isolde walked closer, placing a hand on her daughter’s shoulder. “What about your baby? What about your health? You’re pushing yourself too hard.”

Celestina finally looked up, her eyes weary but determined. “If I step back now, everything we’ve fought for will be lost. I can’t let that happen.”

Isolde’s expression softened, but worry still etched her face. “Your father made the mistake of putting power above everything else—above family, above love. Don’t follow the same path.”

Celestina sighed, placing a hand on her growing stomach. “I’m not doing this for power, Mother. I’m doing it for them—for our people, for my child. I can’t fail them.”

Isolde nodded reluctantly. “Then promise me you’ll be careful.”

“I will,” Celestina said softly.

The palace was on high alert as reports poured in about a potential coordinated attack. Guards were stationed at every entrance, and patrols doubled around the perimeter.

Dimitri met with Celestina in the war room, pointing to key locations on a map of the capital. “Our intelligence suggests they’re planning to strike here, at the palace gates. It’s symbolic—it sends a message to the people that they’re taking back control.”

Celestina studied the map, her mind racing. “Then we need to stop them before they get the chance. Increase security at all checkpoints. I want every vehicle and every person thoroughly searched.”

Dimitri nodded. “Consider it done. But Celestina… you need to be ready for anything. This might not just be about you—it’s about destabilizing the entire government.”

“I know,” she said, her voice steady. “But we won’t let them win.”

That evening, the tension reached its breaking point. Celestina was reviewing intelligence reports in her office when a deafening explosion shook the palace. The sound was followed by the shrill wail of alarms and shouts echoing through the halls.

Anton burst into the room, his face pale. “Madam President, a bomb just detonated near the palace gates. We’re under attack.”