Lyriana Halvek entered the Queens' Court like she owned it.
She was beautiful. Twenty-one, maybe twenty-two. Perfect golden curls. Flawless skin. A gown of deep purple that cost more than most people earned in a year.
But it was the way she moved that caught my attention.
Confident. Graceful. Like she belonged here more than I did.
She curtsied to the queens, but it was perfunctory. Almost casual.
"Your Graces. Forgive my intrusion." Her voice was silk. Sweet. "I simply couldn't wait another moment to meet our newest sister."
"Lady Lyriana." Queen Mireya's entire demeanor had changed. Warmer. Almost welcoming. "We're always delighted to see you."
"The pleasure is mine, Your Grace." Lyriana moved further into the room, and I noticed something.
The noble ladies shifted to make space for her. Automatically. Like she had rank here.
She stopped before the queens' platform, and for a moment, her eyes went to King Asher's empty throne.
The look in her eyes made my stomach turn.
Longing. Desire. Possession.
Then she turned to me, and her expression transformed into pure sweetness.
"Your Grace." She curtsied deeply. "Princess Hazel. I've heard so much about you."
"Lady Lyriana." I inclined my head politely. "It's an honor to meet you."
"Oh, the honor is entirely mine." She stepped closer, taking my hands in hers. Her grip was warm. Friendly. "I must say, they didn't exaggerate. Your hair truly is remarkable."
"Thank you, my lady."
"Like starlight." She smiled, but her eyes were calculating. Measuring. "So unique. I'm sure His Majesty finds it... fascinating."
There was something in the way she said 'His Majesty.' Something too familiar.
"His Majesty has been very kind," I said carefully.
"Oh, I'm sure he has." Her smile widened. "He has such a generous heart. Not everyone sees it, but those of us who know him well understand."
Those of us who know him well.
The implication hung in the air.
Queen Saphine leaned forward. "Lady Lyriana has known His Majesty since childhood. Her father has served the crown for over twenty years."
"How wonderful," I said politely. "Then you must know him better than anyone."
"I like to think so." Lyriana's fingers squeezed mine gently. Almost too gently. "Which is why I wanted to meet you immediately. To offer my friendship. My guidance."
"That's very kind of you, my lady."
"Not at all." She released my hands, moving to sit on a cushioned chair that seemed to have been placed there specifically for her. Right next to Queen Mireya's throne. "I know how overwhelming the palace can be for newcomers. All the rules. The politics. The... complications."
She crossed her legs elegantly. Completely at ease.
Like she was the fifth queen, not me.
"Lady Lyriana has been invaluable to us," Queen Talienne said. "She understands the court better than most."
"My father raised me to serve the crown," Lyriana said modestly. "In whatever capacity I can."
I watched her carefully. The way the queens deferred to her. The way she sat among them like an equal. The way she spoke about the king with such casual intimacy.
This woman had power here. Real power.
And she was looking at me like I was a problem to be solved.
"Your Grace," Lyriana addressed me again, her voice warm. "I hope you'll allow me to show you around the palace. There are so many beautiful places. The rose garden is particularly lovely this time of year."
"That's very generous, my lady."
"Not at all. I insist." She smiled. "His Majesty would want you to feel welcome. Comfortable. We're all family here, after all."
Family. The word felt like a lie in her mouth.
"I heard you dined with His Majesty last night," Lyriana continued, her tone light. Conversational. "In his private chambers. How wonderful."
"Yes, my lady. He was very gracious."
"Oh, I'm sure." Her smile never wavered. "He does enjoy interesting conversation. Intellectual stimulation. He's told me many times how much he values a sharp mind."
He's told me many times.
The message was clear. She had access to him. To his thoughts. To his confidence.
And I was the outsider.
"I'm sure you have much wisdom to share, my lady," I said carefully. "I would be grateful for any guidance."
"Of course." Lyriana's eyes glittered. "That's what friends are for. And I do hope we'll be the very best of friends, Your Grace."
The way she said 'friends' made my skin crawl.
Lady Seraphina Valcor spoke up. "Lady Lyriana, you should tell Her Grace about the winter ball. I'm sure she'll need help preparing."
"Excellent idea." Lyriana turned to me. "The winter ball is in six weeks. The entire kingdom attends. It's quite the spectacle."
"It sounds lovely."
"It is. Though I must warn you." Her voice dropped, becoming confidential. Almost concerned. "The king is very particular about how his queens present themselves. Appearance matters greatly."
I felt the barb beneath the sweetness.
"I'll do my best to represent him well, my lady."
"I'm sure you will." She tilted her head, studying me. "Though if you'd like, I could introduce you to my seamstress. She's wonderful with... difficult coloring."
Difficult coloring. Meaning my white hair.
"That's very thoughtful, my lady."
"Not at all." She stood gracefully. "In fact, why don't we take tea together? Tomorrow afternoon? Just the two of us. I can tell you everything you need to know about surviving court life."
The offer sounded friendly. Helpful.
But her eyes were cold. Calculating.
She was testing me. Trying to establish dominance.
"I would be honored, my lady."
"Wonderful." Lyriana moved toward the door, then paused. Looked back at the queens. "Your Graces, I almost forgot. His Majesty asked me to review the trade agreements with my father this afternoon. We'll be in his study for several hours."
Several hours. In his study. With the king.
The implication was unmistakable.
Queen Mireya's face tightened, but she nodded. "Of course, Lady Lyriana. Give His Majesty our regards."
"Always." Lyriana's smile was brilliant. Then she turned to me one last time. "Your Grace, I look forward to our tea. There's so much I want to share with you."
She curtsied. Perfect. Practiced.
Then she left.
The moment the door closed, the atmosphere shifted.
Queen Saphine let out a breath. "She's in rare form today."
"She always is when there's a new queen," Queen Talienne muttered.
I stood there, processing what I'd just witnessed.
Lyriana wasn't just the Prime Minister's daughter.
She was a threat. A rival.
And she was in love with King Asher.
The way she'd looked at his throne. The way she'd spoken about him. The casual mention of spending hours in his study.
She wanted to be queen. She wanted my position.
And from the way the other queens had deferred to her, she had the power to take it.
Queen Mireya was watching me carefully. "What did you think of Lady Lyriana?"
I chose my words carefully. "She seems very... knowledgeable, Your Grace."
"She is." Mireya's smile was thin. "Her father has the king's ear. And Lyriana has spent years cultivating her position here. She's practically royalty herself."
"I see."
"Do you?" Queen Isolde's voice was sharp. "Because she just marked you as competition. And Lyriana doesn't handle competition well."
I met her eyes. "Thank you for the warning, Your Grace."
"Don't thank us yet," Queen Talienne said. "You haven't survived your first tea with her."
Queen Saphine laughed. "If you survive it at all."
The door opened again. The same servant from before.
"Your Graces, forgive me. But His Majesty has sent word. He requests the presence of the fifth queen. Immediately."
My heart stopped.
Queen Mireya's expression went cold. "The king is summoning her? Now?"
"Yes, Your Grace. He's in the training grounds."
The training grounds. Not his study. Not his chambers.
Somewhere public.
I kept my face calm. "Thank you. I'll go at once."
As I moved toward the door, I heard Queen Mireya's voice behind me.
Soft. Almost pitying.
"Good luck, dear. You're going to need it."