hapter 106
Apr 2, 2025
Celestina sat at the edge of the bed, staring out the window as the sun dipped below the horizon. Days of sleepless nights had worn her down, her mind torn between the quiet life she had wanted and the cries of her people that haunted her dreams.
Finally, she spoke, her voice steady yet filled with emotion. “I can’t stay here anymore, Dimitri.”
Dimitri, leaning against the doorframe, froze. He had known this moment was coming, but hearing the words made his chest tighten. “What are you saying, Celestina?”
She turned to face him, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “I have to go back. To the capital. To him.”
His jaw clenched. “To your father? After everything he’s done to you? After all the times he’s tried to use and destroy you?”
Celestina nodded. “Yes. I have to face him. I have to stop him. I can’t sit here hiding while people are dying because of him.”
Dimitri crossed the room, sitting beside her. His voice softened, though it still carried an edge of frustration. “You know what this means, Celestina. Once you go back, you’ll be walking straight into the lion’s den. He won’t hesitate to hurt you—or worse.”
She reached for his hand, her grip firm. “That’s why I need you with me. I can’t do this alone, Dimitri. But I can’t run from this anymore, either.”
Dimitri studied her face for a long moment, then sighed. “If this is what you’re set on doing, I’ll come with you. But you have to promise me something.”
“What is it?” she asked.
“Promise me we’ll prioritize our safety,” he said firmly. “If things get too dangerous, we leave. No hesitation.”
She hesitated but eventually nodded. “I promise.”
The following morning, the tension in the villa was palpable as Liora spread out a map of the capital across the kitchen table.
“This is the plan,” she began, pointing to a series of backstreets and tunnels. “We’ll use the old supply routes under the city to get you inside without being seen. Most of these were shut down years ago, but my contacts say they’re still accessible.”
Dimitri hovered near the table, arms crossed. “And who exactly are these contacts of yours?”
Liora glanced up at him, her expression unamused. “People who want to see Alvada fall. You’re welcome.”
Dimitri wasn’t convinced. “And we’re just supposed to trust them?”
“You don’t have much of a choice,” Liora shot back, her tone sharp. “Unless you have a better idea?”
Celestina placed a hand on Dimitri’s arm, her voice calming. “We’ll vet the plan carefully. I won’t take unnecessary risks.”
Dimitri’s eyes softened as he looked at her. “We’ll vet everything. No blind trust.”
Liora rolled her eyes but didn’t argue further.
That evening, Edric stood by the villa’s entrance, his bag packed and ready to leave. His face was somber as he addressed Celestina.
“This is goodbye for me,” he said. “I’ve done what I can to help, but the next steps… they’re yours to take.”
Celestina stepped forward, her heart heavy. “Edric, I don’t know how to thank you for everything you’ve done.”
“You don’t need to thank me,” he replied, his voice firm. “Just promise me you’ll be careful. Your father won’t hesitate to kill even his own daughter if it means holding onto power.”
Celestina’s stomach twisted, but she nodded. “I understand.”
Edric hesitated, then added, “And don’t trust anyone—not even those closest to you. Alvada has a way of getting to people.”
Dimitri, standing nearby, couldn’t help but glance at Liora, his suspicions growing deeper.
The train station was bustling with activity as Celestina, Dimitri, and Liora boarded a late-night train heading toward the capital. The car they entered was nearly empty, the dim lights flickering as they settled into their seats.
“This doesn’t feel right,” Dimitri murmured, scanning the car.
Liora smirked, leaning back in her seat. “Relax. No one knows we’re here.”
Celestina was less convinced, her nerves on edge as the train lurched forward. She tried to focus on the journey ahead, but something felt off.
As the train picked up speed, she glanced toward the back of the car—and froze.
A man slipped into their car, his movements quiet but deliberate. His face was mostly hidden by a hat, but Celestina’s heart skipped a beat as she recognized him.
It was one of her father’s former bodyguards.
