All Chapters of The Goddess's Forgotten Heir : Chapter 11 - Chapter 17

The whispers began before breakfast.Elara heard them as soon as she stepped into the marble hall—low voices sliding through the air like smoke.“Did you see her eyes last night?”“She made Alice kneel. No one touches Alice.”“Witch. Queen. Same thing.”Forks scraped plates. Chairs squeaked. Suddenly the dining room turns against Elara as though being pulled by unseen force.Alice sat at her usual seat surrounded by admirers but no one dared to speak loud as her eyes were sharp like glass with a fragile smile.Robert intercepted Elara halfway to the fruit counter. “Don’t look at them,” he murmured. “They’re feeding on fear.”“They’re staring,” she said, keeping her chin high.“Let them. Fear is a dangerous throne, Elara.” His green eyes flicked to Alice. “It topples fast.”Derek appears as he leans lazily against a pillar before Elara could speak .“Dangerous?” Derek smiles softly like a slick “Fear is power. Why waste it?”Robert stiffened. “Power that burns too hot leaves ashes.”

The winter gala glittered like a trap. Crystal chandeliers dripped light over polished marble, each spark a reminder of the wealth that had crowned Jackson Vale heir of everything that should have been Elara’s.The academy’s great hall smelled of pine and expensive wine. Musicians performed a waltz, which was felt sharply.Elara stands at the edge of the crowd in a silver gown that catches stray light beams like a blade. Robert moved through the crowd to her side."You know you are not supposed to be here," he whispered to her ear."This is my academy," she declared. “ “And my war.”Jackson noticed her first. his smirk sliced across the room to the attention of people who watch closely."Well well," he speaks as he approach her like a predatory catching it victims in helpless situations. “The forgotten Vale finally appears.”The crowd pivoted like one body, whispers swelling.Derek followed behind Jackson, eyes glittering with amusement and something darker.“Looks like the queen d

The challenge rang through Roverthhood like a war drum.“Tomorrow. Noon. Courtyard,” Jackson announced, his voice slicing across the dining hall. “Unless Lord Robert prefers to hide behind a witch.”Forks froze mid-air. Conversations died.Robert stood slowly, every inch of his posture screaming control. “Name the insult,” he said evenly.“You defend her,” Jackson sneered, flicking his eyes toward Elara. “You drag your family’s name through ash for a girl who burns everything she touches. Weakness should not wear a lord’s crest.”Gasps rippled. Someone muttered, duel.Robert’s jaw tightened. “At noon,” he said, and walked out.Elara’s stomach dropped. “Robert, no!” She caught his sleeve in the corridor.He stopped, eyes storm-gray in the cold light. “If I refuse, he wins. If I fight, I will protect you.”“You’ll get yourself killed.”He touched her cheek with a trembling hand. “Better me than you.”---The courtyard was full of anticipation from students who crowded the balconies by n

The academy has become a battlefield ground though it retains its beauty as the marble floor and painted ceilings flourish like a new day. Students hung around each hallway chatting and running carefully as if a single mistake from them could trigger another war. Some drew back when Elara walked into a room, while others bowed their heads as Jackson went by. A few steadfastly held onto Robert, their devotion unwavering despite their quiet voices.Fractures spread quickly like a glass crack among the students and by the end of the week, two fist fights had broken out in the dining hall and some duel who went too far ended up breaking a classroom window.Teachers tried to maintain order, but even their eyes betrayed fear.And always, Alice smiled.She was the queen of cruelty, ruling with ink and venom. That morning, she cornered Elara outside the library.Alice slipped an envelope into Elara's hand as she whispered quietly “ what a devotion you have but you see what your loving Robert