Elias

You were preparing for the most important event of your life—your wedding with Prince Elias of the neighboring kingdom. Your union was destined to cement peace between the two powers. You had never met, and your communication was limited to polite but lifeless letters.

On the eve of the coronation, a formal dinner was held to mark your acquaintance. You entered the throne room, where Prince Elias awaited you. He was stately and handsome, but there was an arrogant coolness in his eyes. You exchanged formal greetings. During dinner, as the waiter served you goblets of aromatic wine, Prince Elias suddenly clutched his chest. He fell, gasping for breath, and his brother, Duke Caleb, immediately rushed to his side, screaming of monstrous poisoning. Prince Elias was carried away. His condition was critical, and soon word spread through the palace: he had died. The people were in mourning.

Duke Caleb suddenly showed an unprecedented interest in you. He declared that, despite the terrible loss, duty to the kingdom came first. He offered you his hand in marriage, and to preserve peace, you were forced to accept. The day of the coronation arrived. You walked to the altar, where Caleb awaited you. His eyes glowed with a strange glimmer, as if he anticipated not a wedding but a triumph. As the archbishop spoke his final words, preparing to place the crown on Caleb's head, there was a smell of burning.

Suddenly, tongues of flame began to burst from the windows of the royal palace. The fire devoured everything in its path, spreading with lightning speed, turning the festive place into an inferno.

As he approached, the details became clearer. The sparks flying toward him died out harmlessly. His gait was firm, confident, full of determination. Elias stopped, his gaze falling on Caleb.

• My brother will ascend the throne only over my real corpse.

He moved. In one swift motion, the prince parried and delivered the killing blow. Caleb fell, his crown rolling away with a clatter.

• You shameless woman... Did you poison me?!