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Chapter 45: The Shadow Behind the Throne
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2026-01-28 14:44:07While Serenity was being escorted to the Throne Room, Jackson took a detour.
He walked down the damp, winding stone stairs to the Palace Dungeon.
In the deepest cell, Grand Duke Stefan was chained to the wall. He was stripped of his fine robes, wearing ragged prisoner clothes.
But he wasn't crying. He wasn't begging.
He was smiling.
"You look too comfortable for a man who lost everything," Jackson said coldly, stepping into the cell. Sebastian stood behind him, hand on his gun.
"Everything?" Stefan let out a raspy laugh. "You foolish Americans. You think taking my crown ends this? I was merely... a manager."
Jackson narrowed his eyes. "What are you talking about?"
"Montbert is small," Stefan leaned forward, the chains rattling. "But why do you think we stayed independent for centuries? Why do you think no world power dared to invade us?"
Stefan’s eyes gleamed with madness.
"Because we protect it."
"Protect what?" Jackson grabbed Stefan by the collar. "Speak!"
"The key," Stefan whispered. "The key to The Hades Vault. It lies beneath the palace. I kept them out. I paid the tithe. Now that I am gone... they will come for Aurelia."
"Who are they?" Jackson shook him violently.
"The Order," Stefan hissed. "They don't care about politics. They only want what's in the vault. And only the true blood of the Duchess can open it."
Stefan looked up at Jackson with mock pity.
"You didn't save your wife, Jackson. You just placed a target on her back brighter than any diamond. Enjoy your victory... while you're still alive."
Jackson shoved him back. He turned around and stormed out of the cell.
"Sebastian," Jackson ordered, his voice tight. "Double the guard. No, triple it. And send a sample of Serenity’s DNA to my private lab in New York. Scan for anomalies."
"You believe him?" Sebastian asked, looking worried.
"Fear doesn't lie," Jackson said grimly. "Stefan wasn't afraid of me. He was afraid of something else."
Upstairs, in the Throne Room.
Serenity sat on the golden chair. It felt cold. The heavy crown was placed on her head.
"Long live the Grand Duchess!" The nobles chanted.
But Serenity didn't feel triumph. She felt a chill on her neck.
She looked at the armrest of the throne. There, carved intricately into the ancient gold, was a symbol she had missed before.
It wasn't a Hawk or a Rose.
It was a Black Serpent eating its own tail.
Alex, who was sitting at the foot of the throne playing with his tablet, suddenly stopped.
"Mommy," Alex whispered, pulling her sleeve.
"What is it, sweetie?"
"The Wi-Fi in the palace..." Alex frowned, showing her his screen. "It has a ghost signal. Someone is watching us. Not from outside... but from beneath us."
Serenity gripped the throne. She looked at Jackson walking in from the dungeon. His face was pale.
They exchanged a look. They both knew.
The war for the crown was over.
But the war for survival had just begun.
(End of Book 1 - New York Arc)
(Start of Book 2 - The Kingdom's Secret)
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