My father followed my gaze. “Yes. Thanks to him.”
Marcel joined us on the balcony, face grave. “I've already contacted the maintenance supervisor. Full inspection starting immediately. Whoever is responsible for this oversight will be dealt with.”
“Oversight,” Viktor said. His first words since we'd left the dining hall. “You believe this was oversight?”
Marcel's smile was patient. Understanding. “What else would it be, Mr. Volkov? The chandelier was over two hundred years old. These things happen in buildings this age.”
“Support bolts do not snap without cause.”
“Corrosion. Stress. Time.” Marcel spread his hands. “Any number of natural causes.”
Viktor's jaw tightened. But he didn't argue. Just stepped back, falling into professional silence.
“We should get you inside,” my father said, guiding me toward the door. “Away from the cameras.”
I let him lead me, but I looked back at Viktor. Our eyes met, and something passed between us. Understanding. Recognition.
This wasn't over.
Whatever this was, it was just beginning.
Twenty minutes later,I stood in my private chambers while Viktor paced like a caged wolf. My father had left after extracting promises I'd rest. Marcel had returned to damage control. The palace was in controlled chaos.
And Viktor was furious.
“You are not leaving these rooms,” he said. Voice flat. Final. “Not until we complete full security sweep of entire palace.”
“Excuse me?” I turned from the window where I'd been watching staff scurry across the grounds. “You don't give me orders.”
“Is not order. Is professional assessment of threat level.”
“Threat level.” I laughed. Sharp. Bitter. “A chandelier fell. Maintenance issue. You heard what Marcel said.”
“Marcel is lying.”
The words hung between us. Dangerous. Accusatory.
“That's a serious allegation,” I said carefully. “The King's closest advisor.”
“Someone sabotaged that chandelier.” Viktor stopped pacing. Faced me fully. “Support bolts do not fail like that. Not on their own. Someone weakened them. Timed it. Knew exactly where you would be sitting.”
“You can't possibly know that.”
“I know sabotage when I see it. I know deliberate structural failure versus natural degradation.” His hands fisted at his sides. “And I know you are target.”
“That's you being paranoid.”
“Is realistic.” His accent thickened with frustration. “And you are treating it like inconvenience instead of existential threat.”
“What do you want me to do?” My voice rose despite my effort to stay calm. “Hide in my rooms like a frightened child? Cancel every public appearance? Stop living?”
“Want you to live long enough to have life worth living.”
“By becoming a prisoner?”
“By being smart about risks you take.” Viktor's jaw worked. “You have state dinner in three days. Public appearance at hospital opening in five. Gala next week. All of these are opportunities for someone to try again.”
“So I cancel everything. Disappoint everyone. Look weak and afraid.”
