Chapter 116
Apr 2, 2025
Celestina sat at the edge of her bed, staring at the note threatening her downfall. The words still echoed in her mind, filling her with doubt. Her hands trembled as she set it aside. The weight of everything—her father’s crimes, the people’s expectations, and now the threats—felt crushing.
Dimitri entered quietly, his presence steady and grounding. He knelt beside her, taking her hands in his.
“Celestina,” he said softly, “I know you’re scared. I know you’re unsure. But there’s no one else who can do this.”
She looked at him, her voice barely a whisper. “What if I fail? What if I make things worse?”
“You won’t,” Dimitri said firmly. “You’ve already done the impossible. You’ve inspired an entire nation to rise up. They believe in you, Celestina—and so do I.”
Her eyes filled with tears, but she quickly blinked them away. “What if I’m not strong enough?”
“You’re the strongest person I know,” Dimitri said, his tone unwavering. “And you won’t be alone. I’ll be by your side every step of the way.”
For the first time in days, a small smile tugged at her lips. “Thank you, Dimitri. I don’t think I could do this without you.”
That evening, the sound of chants filled the air outside the palace. Celestina stood on the balcony, peering down at the crowds that had gathered in the square below. Torches lit the night, and banners waved in the air, bearing messages of hope: “Celestina for the People!” “A New Era Begins!”
The people’s cries echoed through the night, their voices rising together in unity.
“Do you hear them?” Dimitri asked, joining her on the balcony.
She nodded, her heart aching with both fear and resolve. “They believe in me. But what if I can’t live up to their expectations?”
“They don’t need perfection,” Dimitri said gently. “They just need someone who cares, someone who will fight for them. You’re that person, Celestina.”
The crowd began chanting her name, their voices a steady, rhythmic beat: “Celestina! Celestina!”
She closed her eyes, letting the sound wash over her. “If they’re willing to fight for me, then I have to fight for them.”
The following day, Celestina stood in a room filled with rebel leaders. The atmosphere was tense but determined. Aron, one of the senior commanders, addressed the group.
“The nation is in chaos,” he said. “We’ve won the battle, but the war isn’t over. We need a leader to guide us through this transition, someone the people trust.”
All eyes turned to Celestina. She felt a lump rise in her throat but forced herself to meet their gazes.
Aron continued, “We’ve talked about this, and it’s clear who that leader should be. Celestina, we’re asking you to step up as interim president. Will you accept?”
Celestina hesitated, her mind racing. She thought about the weight of the title, the responsibilities, and the dangers that came with it. “I’m not sure I’m the right person for this,” she admitted.
Another rebel leader, a woman named Elara, spoke up. “You’ve already proven yourself. The people trust you. We trust you.”
Aron gestured to the room. “Let’s put it to a vote. All in favor of Celestina as interim president?”
One by one, every hand in the room went up. The decision was unanimous.
Dimitri stepped forward, his expression warm and encouraging. “They’re right, Celestina. You’re the one who can lead us.”
Taking a deep breath, she finally nodded. “Alright. I’ll do it.”
The room erupted in applause and cheers, but Celestina’s heart remained heavy.
The day before her inauguration, Celestina stood in front of a mirror in her chambers, adjusting the simple yet elegant gown she’d chosen for the ceremony.
“I’ve never felt more unprepared in my life,” she admitted, turning to Liora, who stood nearby.
“No one ever feels ready for something like this,” Liora said, her tone surprisingly kind. “But you’re stepping into this role for the right reasons. That’s what matters.”
Celestina sighed. “What if I fail?”
“Then you get back up and try again,” Liora replied. “That’s what leaders do.”
Dimitri entered the room, a rare smile on his face. “Everything’s set for tomorrow. Security is tight, and the people are ready.”
Celestina glanced between the two of them, her chest tightening. “Thank you—for believing in me.”
Liora smirked. “Don’t make me regret it.”
That night, as the palace settled into an uneasy quiet, the smell of smoke suddenly filled the air. Celestina, lying awake in her chambers, bolted upright.
“Do you smell that?” she asked Dimitri, who was already on his feet.
A loud knock sounded at the door, and a guard burst in. “The government archives are on fire!”
“What?” Celestina exclaimed, throwing on a robe.
She and Dimitri rushed to the scene, where flames engulfed the archive building. Rebels and guards worked frantically to douse the fire, but it was too late. The structure collapsed, burying countless documents in ash and rubble.
Elara approached, her face pale. “The records are gone—financial documents, military plans, everything we needed to rebuild.”
