Chapter 24 The Leverage
Lila spent the next three days carefully watching Celeste's movements. Her sister met with Margot twice in shadowed alcoves, their heads bent together in whispered conversation. Documents changed hands. Lists were compiled. They were building something methodical and damaging.
On the fourth day, Lila followed Margot to the library archives. The woman pulled records from storage, documents detailing palace movements over the past months. Guard rotation schedules. Servant testimony logs. Visitor records to the east wing.
They were documenting every moment Adrian had spent near Lila. Every visit to the nursery when she was there. Every accidental meeting in corridors. Every dinner where they'd sat within view of each other. Innocent moments being catalogued as evidence of impropriety.
Maya confirmed Lila's suspicions that evening. "Three servants have been questioned by Lady Margot. Asked about the King's habits. How often he visits the nursery. How long he stays. Whether he and Lady Lila are ever alone."
"What did they say?"
"The truth. That he visits his son every evening. That you're usually there caring for Prince Theo. That there are always servants present." Maya's expression darkened. "But Margot is twisting it. Making innocent caretaking sound like secret meetings."
"What's Celeste planning to do with this information?"
"I don't know. But whatever it is, it's happening soon. She's been meeting with solicitors. Reviewing marriage contracts. Discussing settlements and custody arrangements."
Divorce. Celeste was preparing to divorce Adrian and take Theo with her. The evidence Margot compiled would justify her case, prove the King's divided loyalties, give her leverage to demand whatever she wanted.
Lila had to warn Adrian. But how? They couldn't meet privately without giving Margot more ammunition. They couldn't discuss it through servants who might be compromised. The bond let them feel emotions but not share specific information.
She tried approaching the throne room during public hours, hoping to catch him between meetings. Guards turned her away. The council had restricted her movements again after she'd broken confinement to help during Theo's birth. She was allowed in the nursery and her chambers, nowhere else without formal permission.
She tried sending a note through Maya. The servant returned saying all correspondence to the King was being screened by council order. Nothing from Lila would reach him directly.
She tried reaching through the bond itself, pushing urgency and warning through their connection. But Adrian was buried under kingdom business, his attention scattered across a dozen crises. He felt her distress but couldn't interpret its meaning.
Five days after overhearing Celeste and Garrett, Lila woke to unusual activity in the palace. Servants rushing through corridors. Guards taking formal positions. The council being summoned for an emergency session.
Something was happening. Something big.
Maya burst into her chambers, face white. "The Queen has called for a formal audience. She's presenting something to the council this morning."
Terror shot through Lila. "What is she presenting?"
"No one knows. But it's official. Recorded. Whatever she says will become part of palace record." Maya grabbed Lila's hands. "You need to get to the King. Warn him before the session starts."
Lila ran. She didn't care about restrictions or rules or propriety. She raced through corridors toward the throne room, ignoring guards who called after her. She had to reach Adrian before Celeste destroyed everything.
She burst through the throne room doors.
Adrian stood on the dais in full royal regalia, crown on his head, formal robes of state around his shoulders. Celeste stood beside him, equally formal, wearing the Queen's crown and ceremonial dress. Between them, a herald prepared to make an announcement.
Council members filled the room. Court officials. Witnesses. Everyone positioned for something significant and binding.
Adrian's eyes found Lila's across the crowded room. Through the bond, she felt his confusion, his concern at her distress. But before he could speak, the herald's voice rang out.
"Hear ye, hear ye. The Queen requests formal audience with the Royal Council. She petitions for legal separation from His Majesty the King."
The room erupted. Councilors shouted questions. Court officials scrambled for protocol books. Adrian stood frozen, clearly blindsided by the announcement.
Celeste remained calm, one hand resting on the stack of documents Margot had compiled. Evidence. Proof. Leverage.
"This cannot wait." Celeste's voice cut through the chaos. "I formally petition the council for immediate hearing. Today. Now. Before witnesses and recorded by law."
Councilor Thorne stood, his face grave. "Your Majesty, this is highly irregular. Separation proceedings require preparation, review, proper protocol."
"I have everything needed." Celeste gestured to the documents. "Evidence. Testimony. Justification. The council may convene immediately or I will take my case to the High Court of Five Kingdoms and let them decide."
The threat was clear. If the council refused, Celeste would make this scandal public beyond the Northern Kingdom's borders. Every kingdom would know the King's marriage had failed. Questions would arise about why. Investigations would begin.
Adrian's jaw clenched. Through the bond, Lila felt his trapped fury. Celeste had outmaneuvered him completely.
"Very well." Thorne's voice was heavy. "The council will convene immediately to hear the Queen's petition. All formal proceedings will be recorded." His eyes cut to Adrian. "Your Majesty, do you contest this petition?"
Adrian's eyes found Lila's again across the room. In that moment, she saw his choice forming. He could fight this, expose everything, risk it all. Or he could let it happen, let Celeste have her separation, try to salvage what remained.
"I do not contest." His voice was hollow. "The Queen may present her case."