Chapter 1 - The Broken Seal
The ballroom remained perfectly still.
Richard Hale slowly pulled a single sheet of heavy parchment from the worn leather envelope.
The paper was yellowed with age and covered in an intricate script.
At the bottom of the document sat a heavy crimson wax stamp shaped like a two-headed eagle.
Evelyn Prescott let out a harsh laugh that echoed across the silent room.
She crossed her arms and glared at the piece of paper with absolute disdain.
She loudly declared that a fake historical document would not save Claire from being exposed as a fraud.
Daniel stepped away from Claire and looked at the paper in total confusion.
He asked Richard what kind of sick game he was playing.
Richard did not look at Daniel or Evelyn.
His intense gaze remained entirely focused on Claire's terrified eyes.
He spoke with a voice that carried the weight of a heavy heart.
He told Claire that he was sorry he couldn't protect her from this day any longer.
Suddenly, the massive oak doors of the ballroom slammed open.
The heavy thud caused several wealthy guests to scream and duck for cover.
Three men dressed in immaculate dark suits strode into the room with terrifying purpose.
The silver phoenix pins on their lapels glinted sharply under the chandelier lights.
The ballroom manager rushed forward to stop them, but one of the men casually shoved him to the floor.
Evelyn smiled triumphantly and pointed a manicured finger directly at Richard.
She proudly announced that her private security had finally arrived to remove the trash.
She ordered the men to arrest Richard Hale immediately.
The three men completely ignored Evelyn.
They walked right past her in absolute silence.
They did not look at Richard or the document resting in his hand.
Instead, they surrounded Daniel Prescott.
Daniel's face went entirely pale as the largest man grabbed him by the throat.
The man easily lifted Daniel off his feet.
Claire screamed and lunged forward to help her fiancé.
The leader of the suited men turned his cold eyes toward Claire to push her away.
But as he raised his hand, his eyes locked onto her face.
He stared at the exact shape of her cheekbones and the vibrant shade of her green eyes.
Then his gaze dropped to the crimson wax seal on the parchment in Richard's hand.
The man dropped Daniel to the marble floor like a ragdoll.
He took three steps back and immediately dropped to one knee.
The other two men instantly followed suit, bowing their heads toward the floor.
The leader spoke in a trembling voice filled with absolute reverence.
May you like
He said they had finally found her.
He addressed Claire as Her Imperial Majesty.
