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?

we get Jasper to come? Should I

stayed fixed on the road ahead, her driving smooth, her eyes calm. “You didn’t want them

it’s not safe. Should we

her chin up slightly. “Let’s take that.

up outside the Richardson

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

the estate, Elara’s gaze

the

this the place where her

Ms. Schnabel? What brings you to our doorstep? And who might this

inward with

and clutching a

her face exuding gentle calmness.

you and

the woman, “Lavinia, this is my sister, Elara.”

out of the Richardson family estate. This was her

taking in the girl looked vaguely

standing before her. For

of another formidable Ms. Schnabel, a researcher despite her tender years. The rumors clearly don’t do you justice. Please, come in. The house tends to be

during Lucian’s birthday, the vast

Elara into the heart of the

2 2

we’ll be imposing on your hospitality, Lavinia.”

nothing of it. It’s

of the garden,

warm, eyes shimmering, tiny laugh

would you fancy? I’ll have some afternoon

features, reminiscent of someone they both knew – Sienna, perhaps. Both bore the mark of scholarly

have a fondness for honey cakes, and

myself. I’ll fetch some right

Lavinia retreat, Elara scooted her chair closer to Noella, the entire

do you think she could be

Richardson family only has the one daughter,” Noella said, having done her research on the way over. Lucian had but a son and a daughter, the former an ambassador hardly ever

almost understating the resemblance. From the moment she

similarities to Elara

had a liveliness that Lavinia

logic, “Without DNA evidence, it’s just a

research had honed her mind to trust only in

coughing and the whir of an electric wheelchair approached,

was taken

many times have I told you not to zoom around

past my salad days; I won’t be drag

aware of your age, yet you act like a child. You never

easy.do

ears, feigning deafness, and navigated his

landed on Elara and

confidently, “Hello. I’m Elara, the daughter taken in by the Schnabel

Miss Elara here. She’s quite the researcher. I remember reading one of her published papers – a very thoughtful piece!”

in by the Schnabels? And