The Killer Queen by Noella Briony

he cleared her throat and spoke up confidently. “Tve made up my mind! I’ll acknowledge the Pollacks, but i am Elara Schnabel, always Elara Schnabel, Grandpa Sexton will be an extra grandpa who adores me, so guess I’m winning here! As for him… I don’t want to see him just yet, but I don’t blame him.”

Sexton looked at Elara, nodding relentlessly. “Eh, you decide. It’s all up to you. You stick with the name Schnabel, a fine name indeed! Marcel, I owe you thanks for raising such a granddaughter.”

Marcel snorted, his face softening a bit. “Of course she’s wonderful, my granddaughters are the best! Just so you know, Elara’s only being kind. She’s still a Schnabel through and through.”

“I know, and the Pollacks will provide for Elara whatever she needs. Whatever she chooses to do, both the Pollack and Schnabel families will be her home!”

Merrick muttered, “How did this become your win? I was hoping Elara might take on my last name one of these days, but you old coot got lucky”

Elara hugged Merrick’s arm, “Grandpa, I may have two paternal grandpas, but I only have one maternal grandpa like you!”

“That’s more like it.”

Freya coughed. “In the future, maybe Elara and Noella should just stay with us. The Schnabel family is quite Erowded, and our place could use some liveliness”

I

Sexton chimed in, “Sure thing, I could move in too, keep Noella and Elara company.”

Freya snapped, “Have you no shame?”

“Why would I be ashamed? Marcel, you tell them Noella is going to be our granddaughter–in–law, and Elara’s our own flesh and blood. They’ll be part of my family sooner or later, right?”

“Beat it! Getting too big for your britches, are ya? All these treasures belong to the Schnabel family, now

scram!”

Marcel could feel his blood boiling just looking at Sexton, cursing under his breath as he shooed him and

Palmer out the door.

“I get sick just hearing the name Pollack!”

“And the Schnabel’s aren’t any prize either! Except for Noella and Elara, the rest of you are no–good

troublemakers!”

The Schnabel family pretended they didn’t hear a thing.

Elara surreptitiously tugged at Noella’s hand, shielding her face as she whispered, “Noella, I need to get out for a bit. Come with me, will you?”

“Where to?”

As Elara pulled Noella into the car and buckled her seat belt, she explained, “I want to check out the

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Richardson family. Noella, you can drive, right?”

can.

Noella didn’t hesitate, firing up the engine and driving a good distance before admitting. “But I don’t have a license.

Elara was struck silent. She should’ve thought this through, maybe casually dragged one of their brothers along. Noells didn’t have a license; what if something happened?

to come? Should I

smooth, her eyes calm. “You didn’t want them to know, right? My driving is not bad, and

it’s not safe. Should we

the roadside, tilting her chin up slightly. “Let’s take that.

up outside the Richardson

clung to Noella’s waist the whole ride, the chilly wind calming her

the estate,

this the place?”

the place where her mother had lived?

gate. “Isn’t that Ms. Schnabel? What brings you to our doorstep? And who might this

inward with a

draped in an elegant, floor–length evening gown and clutching a parasol, greeted them

her face exuding gentle calmness.

Schnabel, since you’ve come all this way, why don’t you and this young lady come in for a bit?”

gripping Elara’s hand, nodded towards the woman, “Lavinia, this is my

health, rarely venturing out of the Richardson family estate. This was her

Elara, taking in the girl looked

figure standing before her. For some reason, Lavinia felt

Schnabel, a researcher despite her tender years. The rumors clearly don’t do you justice. Please, come in. The house tends to be quite empty, it’s rare we have

during Lucian’s birthday, the vast

led Elara into the heart of the Richardson Manor.

2 F

be imposing on your hospitality,

It’s my pleasure,

the garden, eventually reaching the drawing–room where

warm, eyes shimmering, tiny laugh lines adding character

fancy? I’ll have some afternoon tea sent over.”

Sienna, perhaps. Both bore the mark of

for honey cakes, and my sister here adores strawberry shortcake.”

quite partial to strawberry shortcake myself. I’ll fetch some right

chair closer to Noella, the entire seat

she

the way over. Lucian had

resemblance. From the moment she laid eyes on Lavinia, Noella felt an uncanny familiarity, an unforgettable

to Elara were striking!

raised by the Schnabels, had a liveliness that Lavinia lacked.

evidence, it’s just a theory. I need data before I draw any

honed her mind to trust only in empirical evidence, emotions trailing far behind

sound of coughing and the whir of an electric wheelchair approached, and

taken

around so fest indoors?

well past my salad days; I won’t be drag

your age, yet you act like a child. You never make it easy, do you?”

easy.do

his ears, feigning deafness, and navigated his wheelchair towards Noella.

eyes landed on

gaze, one of shock and disbelief, and introduced herself confidently, “Hello. I’m Elara, the daughter taken in

here. She’s quite the researcher. I remember reading

in by the Schnabels? And so brilliant, too, an experimenter…