Third-person POV 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Jella had never felt fear like this before, not even in her worst moments, not even on the nights when sleep refused to come and her mind replayed the image of Electra standing before her like something untouchable and beyond control. This was different. This wasn’t just fear that came and went, this one stayed, heavy and suffocating, pressing against her chest like a boulder she couldn’t push away.

It followed her thoughts, held on to every second, and refused to let her breathe properly. No matter where she looked in her room, no matter how still she stood, she could not shake the feeling that everything she had built over the years was about to be taken from her.

She knew it was only a matter of time before Electra returned to the palace. That was the part that made everything worse. There was no uncertainty about whether she would come back or not. Electra had made it very clear the night before that she would return, and when she did, she would expect everything to be ready.

The council of elders had already been summoned for an emergency meeting, and while Jella trusted that they would not give in easily, she also knew that none of them were foolish enough to underestimate Electra. The girl was not someone they could simply stand against and argue with like they would any other royal. She was something else entirely, something dangerous in a way that went beyond politics or power.

Jella’s hand moved slowly to her cheek without her realizing it, her fingers brushing lightly against the burn that had yet to fully settle. Even now, it still hurts. The skin felt tight and sensitive, and every slight movement reminded her of what had happened. That single moment, when Electra had placed her hand against her face without hesitation, had been enough to shatter whatever illusion of control Jella still held onto.

That was not the act of someone making empty threats. It was a promise and a warning of what would happen if she refused to comply, and Jella knew, deep down, that if she pushed Electra too far, that burn would be the least of her worries.

The sound of a knock at her door suddenly broke through her thoughts, loud and unexpected, and her entire body stiffened. Her heart skipped a beat, and for a brief second, her mind went completely blank. The silence that followed felt louder than the knock itself, and she found herself staring at the door as if something might burst through it at any moment. Her blood pressure spiked instantly, her hands tightening slightly at her sides as she tried to steady herself.

"Who is it?" she called out, her voice controlled but slightly strained despite her effort to keep it steady.

In that moment, she found herself hoping, almost desperately, that it wasn’t Electra. That it wasn’t anything related to her. That for just a few more minutes, she could pretend that the situation wasn’t as dire as it truly was.

"It’s me, Your Majesty," a guard’s voice responded from the other side.

Jella let out a breath she hadn’t realized she had been holding. The tension in her shoulders eased slightly, though the unease in her chest remained. "Come in," she said quickly, not wanting to be left alone with her thoughts any longer than necessary.

The door opened, and the guard stepped inside, immediately bowing his head in respect. Jella barely acknowledged the gesture, her focus entirely on what he had come to say. There was no room for patience now, and most definitely no time for formalities.

"Well?" she asked sharply. "What is it?"

The guard straightened slightly before speaking. "Your Majesty, the king has been released as ordered. He has been taken to his quarters and is currently being attended to. The servants are preparing him for..."

"That will be all," Jella cut in before he could finish.

The guard paused for a moment before bowing again. "Yes, Your Majesty."

As soon as he left the room and the door closed behind him, Jella finally allowed herself to exhale properly. For a brief moment, the tension in her chest loosened, though it did not disappear completely. The knowledge that Vale had been released sat heavily in her mind, stirring up a mix of anger and frustration that she could not ignore.

She had never intended to release him.

The plan had always been simple. Vale would remain in that dungeon for the rest of his miserable life, forgotten and powerless, a man who once ruled a kingdom reduced to nothing more than a shadow of his former self. That had been her victory. That had been the reward for everything she had endured, everything she had sacrificed to reach this position.

And now, because of Electra, she was being forced to undo it.

Her jaw tightened as the thought settled in her mind. She hated him. She hated everything about him, from the way he had once looked down on her to the way his very name still held power in a kingdom that should have been entirely hers by now. For years, she had endured a marriage that meant nothing to her, a relationship built on nothing but necessity and ambition. She had stood by his side, played her role perfectly, and slowly built her influence until the throne was finally within her grasp.

And just when she thought she had it all, his daughter returned to take it away.

The bitterness in her chest grew stronger, and for a brief moment, she felt the urge to cry. The feeling rose suddenly, catching her off guard, but she pushed it down just as quickly. Tears would not help her now, and weakness would not save her. If anything, it would only make things worse.

She straightened her posture and forced herself to think clearly. This was not over yet. She still had time, and even though it didn’t seem like it, she still had options.

Her mind began to race as she considered her situation more carefully. The council would not easily agree to Electra’s demands, that much she was certain of. They were proud, stubborn men who had spent years protecting the traditions of the kingdom. They would not simply hand over power because a girl walked in and demanded it, no matter how powerful she was.

But Electra was not someone who played by rules.

That was the problem.

Jella knew that if things escalated, if the council refused to give in, Electra would not hesitate to use force, and if that happened, the consequences would be disastrous. The elders could be killed, the balance of power in the kingdom could collapse overnight, and worst of all, Jella could lose everything before she even had a chance to fight back.

Her hands clenched slightly at her sides as a new thought formed in her mind.

Vale.

If there was anyone who could influence Electra, anyone who might be able to stop her or at least slow her down, it would be him. He was her father, after all. Even if she had no memories of him, even if their relationship was never really the best as she knew it, there was still a connection there. Something that Jella could use.

And if he refused...

Her expression hardened slightly at the thought of his refusal.

Then he would become a problem she would have to deal with.

Without wasting another second, Jella turned and headed toward the door. The moment she stepped outside, her maid servants, who had been waiting nearby, immediately moved to follow her. Their footsteps were soft but quick, their presence close behind her as she made her way down the hallway.

"Stay where you are," Jella said sharply without turning around.

The maids froze instantly, exchanging quick glances before stopping completely. "Yes, Your Majesty," one of them replied softly.

Jella didn’t wait for anything else. She continued walking, her pace steady and purposeful as she moved through the palace corridors. The guards stationed along the way straightened as she passed, bowing their heads in respect, but she paid them no attention. Her mind was too focused on what she needed to do next.

The king’s quarters were not far, but the walk felt longer than usual. With each step that she took came a sense of urgency and a tension that made the air around her feel heavier. By the time she reached the door, her thoughts had already settled into a single, clear decision.

She was not going to lose her throne, not after everything she had done, and not after everything she had sacrificed.

If Vale was willing to cooperate, then she would use him to her advantage, but if he wasn’t... if he chose to stand in her way, if he chose to support Electra instead of her...

Then she would make sure he paid for it.

Her hand reached for the door handle, her grip firm and steady despite the storm of thoughts inside her mind. Whatever happened next, she was confident that she was not going down without a fight.