The air in the palace was heavy with tension. Celestina sat at the head of the long table in the war room, her face stern and unreadable as advisors discussed heightened security measures across the nation. Reports of unrest and fear trickled in from every corner of the country.

“Madam President,” Captain Renz began, his voice steady but laced with urgency. “We’ve doubled patrols in all major cities, increased surveillance on key infrastructure, and deployed undercover agents to monitor loyalist activity. The people are still nervous, but these measures are helping.”

Celestina leaned forward, her hands clasped tightly on the table. “It’s not enough. The loyalists are still out there, planning their next move. If we don’t stop them now, we’re leaving the door open for more bloodshed.”

An advisor hesitated before speaking. “The public is growing restless, Madam President. They’re demanding swift justice for Dimitri’s death and assurance that the loyalists are being dealt with.”

Celestina’s voice was sharp as a blade. “They’ll get their justice. But I won’t make empty promises until we’ve dismantled this network completely. Focus on results, not appeasement.”

Later that evening, Isolde entered Celestina’s private office, her expression unreadable. She carried a small, worn journal in her hands.

“I may have something that can help,” Isolde said, placing the journal on the desk in front of her daughter.

Celestina raised an eyebrow. “What is this?”

“A map,” Isolde replied, flipping through the pages until she found a page marked with several locations. “Years ago, your father trusted me with information about his most loyal supporters—men he believed would protect his legacy no matter what. I kept quiet then, but now…”

Celestina stared at the marked location on the map. “This is a lead?”

Isolde nodded. “One of the men on this list is directly tied to Dimitri’s assassination. If you can capture him, it might give you the leverage you need to stop the loyalists.”

Celestina’s grip tightened on the edge of the desk. “Why didn’t you tell me this earlier?”

“I wasn’t sure it would still be relevant,” Isolde admitted, her tone soft. “But seeing what they’ve done… I couldn’t stay silent any longer.”

Celestina stood abruptly, calling for Captain Renz. “Prepare a covert team. We’re moving on this tonight.”

The raid began under the cover of darkness. Celestina watched the operation unfold from the command center, her heart pounding as reports came in.

“Team Alpha is approaching the compound,” an officer announced through the radio.

“Do not engage unless absolutely necessary,” Captain Renz’s voice ordered. “We need him alive.”

The operation was swift and precise. Moments later, the compound was secured, and the loyalist leader was captured. He was dragged into a secure interrogation room, his hands cuffed tightly behind his back.

When Celestina entered the room, her icy gaze bore into the man. He was older than she expected, his face lined with years of hard living, but his defiance was unmistakable.

“Madam President,” he sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. “You must be so proud of yourself, sending your dogs after me.”

Celestina stepped closer, her tone cold and calculated. “You’re going to tell me everything about the loyalist network, including who ordered Dimitri’s assassination.”

The man smirked. “Do you think killing him solved anything? He was just a pawn in a much larger game.”

Celestina’s jaw clenched, but she refused to rise to his bait. “Who’s behind it?”

“Does it matter?” he shot back. “You’ll never stop us. We’ve been planning this for years. Dimitri’s death was just the beginning.”

Celestina leaned closer, her voice sharp and unyielding. “You may think you’re part of some grand plan, but let me make this clear: your time is over. Tell me who’s pulling the strings, or I’ll make sure you spend the rest of your life rotting in a cell.”

For a moment, the loyalist hesitated, his defiance faltering. Finally, he leaned back and smirked. “You think you’re in control, but there’s someone in your own government working against you. You’re not safe, Madam President. Not even here.”

Celestina’s blood ran cold. “Who?”

But the man clamped his mouth shut, refusing to say another word.

The next morning, Captain Renz entered Celestina’s office with a grim expression.

“We’ve analyzed the loyalist’s compound,” he said. “There’s evidence tying the network to someone high up in your cabinet.”

Celestina froze. “Who?”

Renz hesitated. “We don’t have a name yet, but we’ve narrowed it down to three individuals. One of them is someone you trust.”