LYDIA'S POV

　　I stood there, tears streaming down my face, feeling utterly betrayed by the one person I thought would always be on my side. My mother, the woman I had trusted above all others, had chosen a stranger over me. It felt like a dagger to my heart.

　　Evan placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. "Lydia, you don't have to cry. We are with you no matter where you go." His voice was soothing, but the pain of betrayal overshadowed everything else.

　　"I did so much for her," I whispered, my voice cracking. "And yet, she looks at me as if I'm the stranger. How could she hug someone she barely knows?"

　　Brandon stepped closer, his expression filled with compassion. "We don't care if you are a princess or a queen or even a commoner. We just want to be with you, and we will stand by you as long as you want us."

　　Their words wrapped around me like a warm blanket, but the tears wouldn't stop. I knew my mother's affection was feigned, but how had they orchestrated this elaborate deception? The image of her embracing that stranger flashed in my mind, igniting a fire within me.

　　I sat in my room, pieces of information swirling in my mind, trying to make sense of it all. The image of my mother embracing that stranger, Princess Fiona, haunted me. Her cold gaze felt like a betrayal deeper than I could fathom.

　　Something didn't add up. Just weeks ago, she was frail and unwell, the doctors had confirmed it. How could she suddenly appear so vibrant and healthy, all while cozying up to an imposter?

　　"Evan, Brandon," I called, my voice steady yet filled with a simmering frustration.

　　They looked at me, concern etched on their faces. "What's wrong, Lydia?" Evan asked gently.

　　"There's more to this than just my mother's betrayal," I began, pacing the room. "She was too weak recently, and now she's perfectly fine while hugging that fake princess. It doesn't make sense."

　　Brandon leaned against the wall, thoughtful. "You think someone else might be involved?"

　　"Exactly," I replied, my eyes narrowing. "She couldn't have orchestrated this alone. Someone is manipulating her, or maybe there's something she's hiding."

　　Evan crossed his arms, nodding slowly. "We need to dig deeper. There might be others who stand to gain from this deception."

　　"I know she's fake," I said, wiping my tears, trying to regain my composure. "But why? Why go to such lengths to replace me? I am of royal blood, and I won't let anyone take my place."

　　Evan nodded, his gaze unwavering. "You deserve to know the truth, Lydia. We'll help you find it, whatever it takes."

　　Brandon added, "We believe in you. You have the strength to confront this, and we'll be right by your side."

　　Their unwavering support filled me with a newfound determination. "I need to uncover the truth for myself. I won't be silenced or pushed aside. I will reclaim what is rightfully mine."

　　"I have some news and you are not going to like it," Evan said and he didn't dare to look me in the eye.

　　"What is it?" I questioned.

　　Evan and Brandon exchanged glances with each other.

　　"What is it tell me please," I pleaded.

　　"They have announced Fiona's coronation ceremony tomorrow," Evan said and I felt like the whole ground slipped from underneath me.

　　Tomorrow?

　　That meant I didn't have much time.

　　What will I do in such a short amount of time? How will I find the truth?

　　"Then there's only one way to find out the truth," I said.

　　"What way? What is going on in your mind?" They questioned.

　　"We need to stop her coronation, we will disrupt her ceremony." I declared.

　　"But that's risky. How can you do that?" Evan questioned.

　　"You leave that to me." I said with a smirk on my face.

　　The grand hall of the royal palace shimmered with opulence, adorned with rich tapestries and flickering torches casting warm hues against the marble walls. At the center of it all stood a magnificent throne, draped in crimson velvet and adorned with golden accents.

　　Fiona, resplendent in a gown of ivory silk embellished with pearls and sapphires, stood poised before the throne. Her chestnut hair was adorned with a delicate crown, sparkling with gems that caught the light with every movement. Her eyes reflected both excitement and impatience as she prepared to ascend to the throne.

　　Around her, nobles and dignitaries from far and wide gathered, their attire a tapestry of colours and fabrics marking their status and allegiance. Courtiers whispered in hushed tones, discussing the significance of the day and the future it promised under the new ruler's reign.

　　At the appointed hour, the royal heralds proclaimed the beginning of the coronation ceremony with a flourish of trumpets. The doors to the grand hall swung open, and Fiona, accompanied by her closest advisors and well-wishers, entered with measured steps.

　　As Fiona approached the throne, the Archbishop, adorned in ceremonial robes of deep purple, stepped forward to administer the oath of coronation.

　　But a strong and firm voice stopped everything and everyone looked at the intruder who dared to disrupt the ceremony.

　　I stood at the edge of the royal court that only belonged to the true royal heir and that is certainly not Fiona and I will prove that anyhow.

　　"Lydia you have lost the right to sit in royal court anymore." One of the nobles who I am sure hated me before stated. But I ignored him and entered inside, few guards came to stop me but I was enough to deal with them on my own. I threw each of them across the room and everyone gasped at my strength.

　　"Not yet, you see few of you took me by surprise yesterday but I am completely prepared today and you can't kick me out." I said with confidence and I knew that I had managed to capture their attention.

　　"You see, When I came here I was tested in many ways and I had to prepare for a lot of things before acquiring the throne. "Now I am going to ask the same questions from Fiona, after all she is the future queen she should know the rules of the court." I could see many of the faces nodding at my statement while Fiona looked here and there seeking for help from someone.