The President Chapter 115

The city square, once a place of despair and bloodshed, was now packed with thousands of hopeful faces. Celestina stood on a hastily constructed stage, the morning sun casting a golden glow over the crowd. Her heart pounded as she gripped the podium, her voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions inside her.

“My people,” she began, her voice amplified by the microphone. “You have suffered under the weight of tyranny, corruption, and lies. But today, we begin a new chapter. A chapter where your voices will be heard, where justice will prevail, and where power will no longer belong to the few, but to the many.”

The crowd erupted in cheers, and she waited for the noise to settle before continuing.

“I stand before you not as a ruler, but as one of you—a citizen of this great nation. Together, we will rebuild. Together, we will ensure that no leader can ever silence or oppress us again. I promise you a government free of corruption, where accountability is our foundation and fairness is our goal.”

A wave of applause swept through the square, and Celestina felt a flicker of hope. For the first time, she saw not just desperation in their eyes but belief.

As she stepped back from the podium, Dimitri met her at the edge of the stage, his expression a mix of pride and worry.

“You did it,” he said quietly.

She shook her head, her voice soft. “Words are the easy part, Dimitri. It’s the actions that will matter.”

“And you’ll follow through,” he said firmly. “You always do.”

Later that afternoon, Dimitri and Liora huddled over a series of maps and documents in a secure room within the rebel headquarters. Liora traced a finger over several names listed on a document.

“These are the ones we know about,” she said. “Former generals, wealthy businessmen, even a few foreign diplomats. They’re still loyal to Alvada and his vision.”

Dimitri frowned, his eyes narrowing. “Loyal to a man who destroyed this country? Or loyal to the power they gained under him?”

“Probably both,” Liora said grimly. “They’re keeping his network alive. If we don’t shut it down, they’ll strike back—and soon.”

Dimitri leaned back in his chair, the weight of the situation pressing down on him. “We’ll need to move carefully. If they sense we’re onto them, they’ll go underground.”

Liora glanced at him. “Do you think Celestina can handle this? She’s already carrying so much.”

Dimitri’s voice was steady. “She’s stronger than she looks. But we have to protect her from whatever’s coming.”

That evening, Celestina sat in a small meeting room surrounded by rebel leaders. The air was heavy with expectation as one of the commanders, Aron, leaned forward.

“Celestina, the people trust you. They see you as a symbol of hope. That’s why we need you to take on the role of president,” he said firmly.

Celestina’s breath caught. “Me? But I’m not a politician. I’ve never wanted power.”

Aron’s gaze didn’t waver. “And that’s exactly why you’re the right person for this. You understand what the people need, and you have the courage to fight for it. No one else can unite this nation like you can.”

The other leaders murmured their agreement, but Celestina hesitated. The idea of stepping into her father’s shadow made her stomach twist.

“What if I’m not ready?” she asked, her voice quiet.

Dimitri, standing by the door, spoke up. “You’ll never feel ready, Celestina. But you don’t have to do it alone. We’re here for you.”

She looked around the room, seeing the hope and trust in their eyes. Slowly, she nodded. “I’ll think about it.”

As the meeting ended, Liora caught Celestina in the hallway.

“Celestina,” she said, her tone low, “I need to warn you. If you take the presidency, you’ll be stepping into a dangerous role. You’ll be a target—just like your father was.”

Celestina paused, her gaze steady. “I know the risks, Liora. But if I don’t do this, who will?”

Liora’s voice softened. “Just be careful. Alvada had enemies you don’t even know about. And some of them won’t care that you’re not him. All they’ll see is someone sitting on the same throne.”

“I appreciate your concern,” Celestina said. “But I can’t let fear stop me. This country needs someone to lead it out of the darkness.”

Liora studied her for a moment, then nodded. “Alright. But I’ll be watching your back, whether you like it or not.”

That night, Celestina sat by her desk, staring at the flickering light of a single candle. The weight of everything felt heavier in the quiet hours. Just as she leaned back, exhausted, there was a knock at her door.

“Come in,” she said wearily.

Dimitri entered, holding an envelope. “This was delivered anonymously.”

Celestina frowned, taking the envelope and breaking the seal. Inside was a single sheet of paper with bold, scrawled writing:

“The throne is cursed. You’ll fall just like your father.”