The following morning, Sebastian arrived at Prince Maximilian’s palace as promised, his piercing blue eyes scanning the courtyard as he strode toward the main entrance.

His instincts had remained on high alert since the previous day’s revelations.

Something felt profoundly wrong.

He knocked once upon the heavy oak doors before pushing them open, stepping inside without awaiting formal invitation. Evangeline was already waiting in the morning room, her face drawn and weary with obvious exhaustion.

Sebastian took one look at her and immediately recognized that something was terribly amiss.

“What has transpired?” he asked, his voice low and urgent.

Evangeline drew a deep breath, crossing her arms defensively over her chest. “There is something you must know.”

She wasted no time with pleasantries.

She told him everything.

That Lady Cordelia was not truly Lady Cordelia—that Prince Maximilian had a sister named Princess Celeste, who had supposedly perished years ago during an attack by dark sorcerers.

That Prince Maximilian had buried her with his own hands.

And yet, here she was. Alive. Or at least, something masquerading as her.

Sebastian listened without interruption, his hands clenching into fists at his sides. His aristocratic features grew darker with each damning word.

When Evangeline finished, a heavy silence filled the elegant chamber.

Sebastian’s jaw tightened visibly. “And you still feel secure remaining here?”

Evangeline’s eyes widened slightly with surprise. “What do you mean?”

Sebastian’s voice was sharp, his blue eyes burning with mounting frustration. “Evangeline, this is madness. You and our sons are residing in the palace of a man whose sister—whether dead or alive—is the very person responsible for all this destruction. Do you truly believe that is safe?”

Evangeline’s stomach twisted with unease. She had known Sebastian would not react well to these revelations, but she had not anticipated such vehement opposition.

“Prince Maximilian bears no responsibility for his sister’s actions,” she argued with conviction.

Sebastian shook his head, exhaling harshly. “You cannot be certain of that.”

Evangeline frowned, but before she could formulate a response, Sebastian stepped closer, his voice dropping to an intense whisper.

“Evangeline, consider this carefully. She is his youngest sister, his only remaining family. Do you not think, when faced with an impossible choice, he will side with her?”

Evangeline opened her mouth to protest, but at that precise moment, a third voice cut through the room like a blade.

“I would choose your words carefully, Prince Sebastian.”

They both whipped around, their eyes falling upon Prince Maximilian standing in the doorway, his arms crossed over his broad chest, his dark eyes flashing with obvious annoyance.

He had overheard their entire conversation.

Prince Maximilian stepped forward with measured grace, his gaze locked onto Sebastian’s with deadly intensity, his tone sharp and cold as winter steel.

“Princess Celeste is dead.” His voice was deadly calm, but Evangeline could see the tension radiating through his powerful shoulders. “Whoever this woman is whoever dares to masquerade as my sister, is nothing but an evil spirit wearing her beloved face.”

Sebastian’s lips curled with obvious skepticism. “You are so certain of that claim?”

Prince Maximilian’s eyes darkened ominously. “I buried her with my own hands. I know beyond doubt that she perished.”

Sebastian released a low, mocking chuckle, shaking his head. “How comforting. Except for the inconvenient fact that we have all witnessed her walking among the living, orchestrating murders, leading attacks against innocent kingdoms.”

Prince Maximilian stiffened, his jaw clenching with barely restrained fury. “Do not dare to sully Princess Celeste’s memory with such accusations. She would never commit such atrocities.”

Sebastian snorted with derision. “Then why does this creature bear her exact likeness?”

Prince Maximilian did not answer immediately. His hands curled into tight fists, his entire bearing radiating dangerous tension.

“I do not possess that answer.” His voice was low, almost threatening. “But I know with absolute certainty that the woman I called my sister was kind, loyal, and would never have perpetrated the horrors this imposter has committed. So whatever walks around wearing her skin… it is not Princess Celeste.”

Sebastian’s instincts rumbled with unease, but he maintained his controlled demeanor. “And you expect me to believe such a convenient explanation?”

Prince Maximilian exhaled slowly, his eyes flickering toward Evangeline for just a moment before returning to Sebastian with unwavering intensity.

“I care nothing for your beliefs.” His voice was arctic, his expression utterly unreadable. “But I know this absolute truth; Princess Evangeline and her sons are completely safe within my protection.”

Sebastian released a bitter laugh, shaking his head in disbelief. “Safe? With you? The brother of the woman who has been attempting to murder us all?”

Prince Maximilian’s eyes flashed with dangerous irritation, but before he could respond, Evangeline finally reached her breaking point.

“Enough!”

Both men immediately turned toward her, startled by the sharp authority in her voice.

Evangeline rubbed her temples, her exhaustion finally overwhelming her composed facade. “I cannot endure this any longer. I am utterly fatigued. I am overwhelmed beyond measure. And I am thoroughly sick of you both transforming every conversation into a battlefield.”

Prince Maximilian and Sebastian stiffened but remained silent, recognizing the steel beneath her words.

Evangeline sighed deeply, her voice quieter now but no less firm. “I require space. I need time to think clearly.”

She turned to Sebastian, her voice resolute but not unkind. “I understand your concerns, but you must trust my judgment. The boys are safe. I am safe.”

Then she looked directly at Prince Maximilian. “And you—I do not know what to believe about any of this. I cannot determine if you are deceiving me, or if you are as ignorant of the truth as you claim. But at this moment, I need solitude.”

She stepped back, her hands tightening at her sides with obvious strain.

“I am going to stay with Sebastian till everything is cleared.”

Prince Maximilian gasped in shock.