Chapter 287
“So, if I kill you, that should do it,” Lily said, almost casually, as if discussing what to have for breakfast.
The situation had deteriorated into a standoff between three powerful factions.
Princess Harriet turned her gaze to me. “Claire Floyd, you have a choice to make. Is it Lily or the Goodwin sisters p>
Caught off guard, I raised two fingers in defiance. “Both. I refuse to choose p>
Harriet smirked, lightly tapping a knife against Lily’s cheek. “I’ll give you one more chance. Choose wrong, and I’ll carve a new smile into her face p>
But Lily’s fierce gaze locked onto mine, silently urging me to stand firm.
Here I was, a nobody, being forced to decide amidst these powerful forces. I chuckled derisively, gesturing around. “Princess Harriet, do you really think killing Lily and the Goodwin sisters will allow you to walk out of here alive? Silas and Garrett aren’t exactly your fans, are they? They’re here for you, not to play nice p>
I kept my voice calm, hiding how much Lily meant to me.
Harriet glanced toward Garrett and then Max, who both watched with detached amusement. “Then let Lily keep me company on my way out p>
Just as Harriet moved to strike, the soldiers suddenly released Kate, and together with her sister, they tackled Harriet to the ground, pinning her with brutal efficiency.
Freed from her captors, Lily coughed and clutched her side before delivering a swift kick to Harriet. “I wanted to show you, your plans aren’t as foolproof as you thought. You’re just a pawn, and your so-called allies don’t give a damn about you. That child you’re carrying? It’s not going to help you ruin more lives p>
Harriet screamed, “Lily, my mother will never let you get away with this p>
Picking up the knife Harriet had dropped, Lily leaned in close, her voice a cold whisper. “Your mother slaughtered my parents. If they won’t spare me, I certainly won’t spare them p>
With those words, Lily’s hand moved swiftly, and Harriet’s scream was cut short.
I was stunned into silence, unable to process what had just happened. Max pulled me close, reassuringly. “It’s okay p>
My mind struggled to catch up with the whirlwind of events.
“Lily knew you were coming yesterday Max explained. “She wanted me to play along with her plan. Killing Harriet wasn’t enough; she wanted Harriet to realize her defeat was absolute p>
I nodded, the only thought echoing in my mind was Lily’s revelation that Harriet’s
parents were the real killers of mine.
No wonder Lily showed no mercy.
“Clear the room,” Lily commanded, snapping her fingers. Her peoplez efficiently cleaned up the mess, as if nothing had transpired. She then turned to Garrett and bowed “Thank you for your cooperation p>
Garrett waved her off. “My brother asked me to, so I did p>
They all turned to Max, who nodded solemnly before guiding me to leave.
“Lily is safe now. You can relax. Come back home with me p>
He had orchestrated this entire scenario because he knew I feared for Lily’s
safety. Now that Harriet was gone, Lily was supposedly out of danger.
“But no, Lily’s going after Harriet’s mother. That’s even more dangerous.” I gestured frantically.
“Claire, if Lily succeeds and ascends the throne, by international custom, the heiror queen of Bravenland
must marry the crown prince of Serythia. Garrett isn’t interested in ruling. Do you understand p>
I froze, realization dawning on me.
If Lily won, she’d have to marry Max.
Meaning I couldn’t be with Max, unless I somehow became the queen myself?