Celestina stood at the head of the war room table, her eyes scanning the faces of her closest advisors. The tension in the air was palpable. Someone in this room had betrayed her, and she was determined to uncover the truth.

“Let me be clear,” Celestina began, her voice steady but icy. “There is no room for betrayal in this palace. One of you has been aiding the loyalists, and I will find out who.”

The advisors exchanged nervous glances, some shifting uncomfortably in their chairs. Captain Renz stood beside her, his hand resting on a stack of documents.

“We’ve uncovered financial records that link one of you to secret transactions funding loyalist activities,” Renz explained. “The evidence is irrefutable.”

Celestina’s gaze swept across the room. “You’ve all sworn loyalty to me and to this nation. If anyone here has anything to confess, now is your chance.”

Silence.

Later, Celestina retreated to her private chambers, her hands trembling with anger and frustration. Isolde entered quietly, carrying a tray with tea and a soft blanket.

“Darling, you’re shaking,” Isolde said, placing the tray on the table. She wrapped the blanket around Celestina’s shoulders. “You need to rest.”

“How can I rest, Mother?” Celestina snapped, her voice breaking. “Someone I trust is working with the very people who killed Dimitri, who want to destroy everything we’ve fought for.”

Isolde knelt beside her, taking her daughter’s hands in hers. “Celestina, you’ve faced worse than this. You’ve overthrown a tyrant, rebuilt a nation, and brought hope to these people. Don’t let one traitor break your resolve.”

Celestina’s eyes filled with tears. “What if I’m not strong enough? What if I can’t protect Arden, or this country?”

Isolde cupped her face gently. “You are strong enough. And you’re not alone in this fight. Trust yourself, Celestina. You’ve already proven you’re a leader they can believe in.”

The next morning, Captain Renz called Celestina to his office. He laid out a series of financial records on the table, pointing to highlighted entries.

“These transactions all link to a hidden account,” Renz explained. “And we’ve traced that account back to one of your closest advisors.”

Celestina’s heart sank as she saw the name on the document: Minister Caleb Ferris.

“Caleb?” she whispered, disbelief flooding her voice. “He’s been with me since the beginning. How could he betray me?”

Renz sighed. “Sometimes loyalty is just a mask, Madam President. He was clever, but not clever enough to cover his tracks entirely.”

Celestina squared her shoulders, her jaw tightening. “Arrest him. Bring him to the interrogation room. I want answers.”

Caleb sat calmly in the cold, dimly lit interrogation room, his hands cuffed to the table. When Celestina entered, flanked by guards, his expression didn’t change. If anything, he looked almost smug.

“Caleb,” Celestina began, her voice like ice. “You’ve been one of my most trusted advisors. Why would you do this?”

Caleb chuckled softly, leaning back in his chair. “Trusted? That’s rich, coming from you. Do you even know what you’re fighting for, Celestina? Or are you just pretending to lead this country while you stumble in the dark?”

Celestina slammed her hand on the table. “Enough. I want the truth. Did you fund the loyalists?”

Caleb’s smirk didn’t waver. “Of course I did. Someone had to ensure this nation didn’t fall into chaos after you destroyed everything your father built.”

Her breath caught, and she took a step back. “My father’s legacy was corruption and tyranny. He nearly ruined this nation.”

Caleb shook his head. “No, your father was a visionary. He understood power in a way you never will. You think you’re saving this country, but all you’ve done is weaken it. The loyalists? They’re the real patriots, fighting to restore what was stolen.”

Celestina’s hands curled into fists. “What about Dimitri? Was his death part of your plan?”

Caleb’s expression grew colder. “Dimitri was a traitor to Alvada’s vision. His death was necessary. Just like yours will be.”

The guards stepped forward, but Celestina raised a hand to stop them. She stared at Caleb, her voice trembling with controlled fury. “You will never see this nation again, Caleb. You’ll spend the rest of your life in a cell, watching as I undo every piece of your treachery.”

Caleb leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with malice. “You think this ends with me? You’re a fool, Celestina. This nation belongs to Alvada. Not you.”