With Victory Day approaching, Elena made final preparations when a travel-worn Zubak arrived at the Palace. There, he was informed of the Chancellor’s stringent health measures.

Worried by Zubak’s increasing sway over Elena, Nicholas plots with her chief ministers, seeking to uncover damaging information.

Despite repeated cautions regarding her ambitious land reforms, Elena authorized a contentious military operation. She dispatched Zubak to the forefront of the conflict.

Elena sought to mitigate the fallout by reaching out to those she considered her own. Simultaneously, Agnes found her allegiance challenged by a mysterious proposition.

As the violence intensified around her, Elena resolved to remain within the palace walls, even as her advisors secretly devised a plan to remove her from power.

Having already suffered the fall of the palace walls, Elena now had to rely on her talents for diplomacy—and deception—if she hoped to maintain her position as chancellor.