Rheina sat in the dim-lit quarters of Floor G, the cold, rough walls a stark contrast to the luxury she once had. The ticking of an old clock was the only sound in the room. The silence gnawed at her. She had barely processed the shock of her demotion when the door suddenly opened.
One of the palace staff stepped in, holding a sealed envelope.
"Rheina Blackwood," the staff member said, "This came from the throne room. A personal letter for you."
Rheina's heart skipped. She stared at the letter, unsure whether it was another decree of dismissal or something else entirely.
"Thank you," she whispered, taking the envelope carefully from the servant's hands.
As soon as the door closed, she tore open the letter. Her hands trembled, but when she read the first line, her breath caught.
"By order of Amara Blackwood, you are hereby reassigned to the Executive Command. Your previous position within the palace has been revoked. You are promoted to the position of Command Liaison Officer under direct supervision of Amara Blackwood. This assignment is final, effective immediately."
The words blurred for a moment as Rheina let the reality sink in. She had been promoted, not demoted. This wasn't just a chance—this was a lifeline.
But why?
Her mind raced. Amara...
Rheina had always known Amara to be fierce, calculating, but this was more than that. She had just been given a second chance, an opportunity to prove herself again, to redeem her status.
No one, not even Chris, had lifted her back up. Only Amara.
With a sense of urgency, Rheina stood and quickly gathered what little she had in her quarters. A part of her wanted to thank Amara, to show gratitude. But more than that, she knew this was her moment to shine—or to fall, again.
She made her way through the palace halls, the staff now giving her more than a glance. They'd all heard the whispers—Rheina Blackwood, the fallen heir, now given a second chance under Amara's rule. No one dared speak, but they watched her closely.
When she reached the top floors, she was met by one of Amara's guards, who silently led her to a lavish, secured wing.
The doors opened.
Amara sat in her usual place by the window, her back to Rheina. She didn't need to turn around. "I trust you've read the letter."
"Yes," Rheina replied, standing before her. "I don't know how to repay you for this. I—"
Amara interrupted, her voice calm and sure. "Don't thank me yet, Rheina. This is your test. You're under my direct command now. Fail, and you'll be as forgotten as you were before."
Rheina nodded quickly. "I won't fail, Amara. I promise."
Amara turned in her chair, her cold eyes assessing Rheina as if she were a puzzle to be solved. "I've seen your loyalty before, Rheina. Now show me your discipline. Your ambition. Prove you can lead."
Rheina swallowed hard, determined. "I will. Just give me the chance."
Amara studied her for a moment longer before she nodded. "Very well. Welcome back to the world you once had. But remember—no one here is above judgment, not even you."
Rheina bowed her head, feeling a strange weight lift from her shoulders. This was more than she had hoped for.
As she left the room, she couldn't help but think: Amara is my savior. But if I fail her now, it will be a fate worse than what I had before.
She would rise. She would make sure of it.