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 call him?”

fixed on the road ahead, her driving smooth, her eyes calm. “You didn’t want them to know, right? My driving

it’s not safe. Should we take

tilting her chin up slightly. “Let’s take

the Richardson Manor, coming to a

waist the whole ride, the chilly wind calming her

the estate, Elara’s gaze

this the

this the place where her

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

with a creak of old

gown and clutching

face exuding gentle calmness.

Schnabel, since you’ve come all this way, why don’t you and this young lady come in

towards the woman, “Lavinia, this is my

in the best of health, rarely venturing out of the Richardson family estate. This was her first encounter

in the girl

before her. For

rumors clearly don’t do you justice. Please, come in. The house tends

buzz during Lucian’s birthday, the

into the heart of

2 2 F

we’ll be imposing on your

It’s my pleasure, truly.”

manicured lawns of the garden, eventually reaching the drawing–room

tiny laugh lines adding character to

fancy? I’ll have

found herself captivated by Lavinia’s features, reminiscent of someone they both knew – Sienna, perhaps.

a fondness for honey cakes,

to strawberry shortcake myself. I’ll fetch some right

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

do you think she could be my

said, having done her research on the way over. Lucian had but a son and a daughter, the former an ambassador hardly

a bit like you,” Noella added, almost understating the resemblance. From the moment she laid eyes on Lavinia, Noella felt an uncanny familiarity,

similarities to Elara were

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

logic, “Without DNA evidence, it’s just a theory. I need data before

trust only in empirical

electric wheelchair approached, and Lucian, in the driver’s sest, aped

was taken aback.

scolded, “Dad! How many times have I told you not to zoom around so fest indoors? Have

well past my salad days; I won’t be drag racing. Besides, I was excited to see Noella here!”

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

easy.do

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

landed on Elara and suddenly froze.

and introduced herself confidently, “Hello. I’m Elara, the daughter taken

with a smile. “Don’t underestimate Miss Elara here. She’s quite the researcher. I remember reading one of her published papers – a very thoughtful piece!” Lucian’s

taken in by the Schnabels?