The Crown She Refused

It began behind masks. Laughter. Light. Music.

A masquerade where nothing was supposed to matter. One night. One mistake.

One mark that should never have been seen. They told her it was harmless.

A symbol. A coincidence. Something that would fade with time. They lied.

Because power does not announce itself. It waits. Four courts felt it stir.

Ancient, watching, patient. And the moment they realized what she

carried, they decided she would never be free again. A ritual was prepared.

A rite meant to bind her fate to theirs. But rituals are fragile things.