Dawn broke over the palace in muted gold.
The rain had stopped, leaving the air sharp and heavy with the scent of wet stone.
From the tower balcony, Evelyn watched the sunrise in silence — her mind a storm of its own.
Edward stood behind her, his uniform once again immaculate, but his eyes betrayed the sleepless night.
"Once we hand these documents over," he said quietly, "everything changes."
Evelyn turned to him. "It already has."
For a fleeting second, he smiled — that familiar warmth flickering through the distance that royalty demanded. But the knock at the door shattered it.
"Your Highness," came a stern voice. "Her Majesty commands your presence. Immediately."
Edward exchanged a glance with Evelyn. "It begins," he murmured.
The throne room was cold that morning.
Light spilled through high arched windows, gilding the marble floor in patterns of blue and gold.
The Queen sat at its center — elegant, poised, and unreadable.
Her council lined both sides like stone statues, with General Harrington standing among them, his expression calm, his betrayal buried beneath his medals.
Edward bowed deeply. "Your Majesty. I bring evidence regarding the false reports of treason against General Hartley."
He opened the box and placed it at her feet. Evelyn's father's documents — the proof of Harrington's deceit — lay exposed under the crown's gaze.
A murmur swept through the hall.
The Queen's voice cut through it. "These are serious accusations, my son."
"They are truth," Edward replied. "The general used the war as cover to consolidate power. He framed loyal men — including Evelyn's father — to protect his trade with the enemy."
The Queen's eyes flickered to Harrington. "General, do you deny this?"
Harrington's voice was smooth, almost pitying. "Your Majesty, this boy is led astray — by grief and by… infatuation."
His gaze slid toward Evelyn like a knife. "The daughter of a condemned soldier. She has filled his head with lies."
Evelyn flinched. Edward's jaw tightened.
"Enough," the Queen said sharply. "I will decide what is true."
Hours passed as the council examined every seal and signature.
Finally, the Queen stood, the documents in her hands.
"Edward," she said softly, "you have acted out of loyalty — but also out of passion. Both can blind even the noble."
Her words cut him deeper than he expected.
She turned to Evelyn. "You have my respect for your courage, Miss Hartley. But your presence here, your closeness to my son — it threatens the order of the Crown."
Evelyn's voice was calm, but her hands trembled. "With respect, Your Majesty, the truth threatens only those who hide from it."
A dangerous silence followed.
Then, to everyone's shock, the Queen said:
"Very well. The truth will speak for itself. General Harrington — you are under arrest."
Gasps filled the hall. Soldiers moved forward. Harrington's face hardened, but he did not resist.
As they led him away, he glanced back at Edward and Evelyn with quiet venom.
"This is not the end," he hissed. "You think love shields you? Love will be your undoing."
When the hall finally emptied, only the Queen, her son, and Evelyn remained.
The Queen approached them — graceful, solemn, and impossibly composed.
"You have done what many feared to do," she said. "You have defied corruption."
Then her tone changed — softer, but edged with sorrow.
"But you have also defied the Crown's law. You know what your closeness means, Edward. You know the council will not forgive it."
Edward's reply was steady. "Then I will not ask for their forgiveness."
For the first time, the Queen's expression broke — pride and fear warring in her eyes.
"You are your father's son," she whispered. "And that terrifies me."