The Multiverse Chronicles

Season One: Episode Six

“A Royal Murder”

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Alia ambled along the iron fence of the courtyard of the Charlottenburg Imperial Palace, her slick black boots clicking against the diagonal brick. The night air echoed with raucous laughter, but all the guests were inside, celebrating with the prince and his family. Hours ago, applause had burst forth from the palace’s open doors, after the Kaiser formally announced Alia’s best friend’s engagement to Princess High-and-Mighty from Britannia.

Alia kicked a pebble, sending it across the bricks and clanging against the iron fence. One of the guards—Karl—an older man with more physical prowess than she could ever hope to achieve, gave her a knowing, sad smile before returning his attention to the passing motor carriages.

She sighed and sat on the edge of the fountain at the center of the courtyard. Water trickled behind her, courtesy…