Hiding My Twin Heirs from the Ruthless Prince novel Chapter 25

Lady Cordelia’s predatory dark eyes scanned the stunned assembly with obvious satisfaction before locking directly onto Evangeline with laser-like intensity.

And then, she smiled with venomous, calculated satisfaction that sent chills through every witness.

“Did you miss me terribly, my dear princess?”

The ballroom erupted into scandalized murmurs and frantic whispers as Lady Cordelia’s smirk widened into something truly terrifying, her mere presence alone enough to send shockwaves of terror through the entire royal court.

Evangeline clenched her fists with desperate determination, feeling her protective royal instincts surge powerfully, every nerve ending on high alert for danger.

Sebastian’s entire powerful posture stiffened with barely contained murderous fury, his eyes blazing with dangerous anger as he stepped protectively toward Lady Cordelia. “You have absolutely no right to be here.”

Lady Cordelia tilted her head with theatrical grace, dark amusement dancing wickedly in her predatory gaze as she surveyed the shocked nobles surrounding them. “Oh, Sebastian, you wound me so deeply with your harsh words. I traveled such a great distance through treacherous mountain passes to witness this touching family reunion, and this is how you choose to greet your beloved ex?”

The assembled courtiers whispered frantically among themselves, their voices creating a low buzz of confusion and fear throughout the magnificent ballroom.

Evangeline narrowed her emerald eyes dangerously, stepping forward with regal authority despite the fear clawing at her chest. Her silk gown rustled as she moved, the sound barely audible above the tense silence. “Enough of these twisted games and riddles. Who are you truly? And why do you inhabit Princess Celeste’s body?”

Lady Cordelia’s aristocratic expression twisted into something profoundly eerie and unnatural, her perfectly sculpted features contorting as her crimson lips curled into a smile that belonged in nightmares.

She released a slow, mocking laugh that echoed through the stunned ballroom like the cry of a predatory bird.

“Oh, my dear, sweet Evangeline…” she purred with false affection. “That precious knowledge is for me to possess and for you to discover—if you manage to survive long enough to uncover the truth.”

The noble guests pressed back against the walls, their expensive silks and velvets rustling as they sought distance from the unfolding confrontation.

Evangeline’s stomach plummeted at the casual cruelty in her voice—so dismissive, so utterly malicious.

Sebastian’s legendary patience finally snapped completely. His royal composure cracked, his voice emerging as a dangerous growl that sent shivers through the assembled nobles. “You are not welcome in this palace, Cordelia.”

Lady Cordelia’s triumphant smirk faltered slightly, her own dark eyes taking on something unreadable and deeply sinister. “You will deeply regret bringing her back into your life, Sebastian.”

Evangeline’s heart hammered violently against her ribs as Lady Cordelia’s icy gaze flickered back to her, filled with nothing but pure, concentrated malice.

“You always destroy everything you touch,” Lady Cordelia sneered with venomous hatred.

Sebastian took a menacing step closer, his royal authority radiating dangerous power. “Leave immediately. Now.”

For a brief moment, Evangeline could have sworn she witnessed something inhuman shift beneath Lady Cordelia’s perfect features, like a flicker of something utterly unnatural beneath her porcelain skin.

But before she could fully process what she had seen, the palace guards rushed forward in formation, grasping Lady Cordelia firmly by both arms.

Lady Cordelia offered no resistance whatsoever.

She allowed them to escort her toward the ballroom’s massive doors, but not before turning to Evangeline one final time, her smile eerily calm and absolutely terrifying.

“Enjoy your evening while you still can, dear Evangeline.”

“Where are Prince Marcus and Prince Adrian?”

Evangeline frowned deeply, her stomach beginning to twist with mounting dread. “They were standing right here moments ago… they were playing with the other noble children.”

Her desperate eyes flickered toward the group of young nobles congregated near the elaborate dessert table laden with delicacies.

One of the older children, a duke’s son no more than ten years of age, spoke up with innocent casualness.

“They departed with the strange lady in the red gown.”

The blood drained completely from Evangeline’s face.

Her lungs seized up entirely, her vision blurring dangerously at the edges.

No.

No, no, no.

This could not be happening.

Her entire body went rigid with terror, every fiber of her maternal being screaming in absolute agony as the horrifying realization struck her like a dagger thrust directly to her heart.

Lady Cordelia had taken them.