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

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

Should

a motorcycle parked on the roadside, tilting her chin up slightly. “Let’s take that. I have a motorcycle license.”

the Richardson Manor, coming

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

beheld the estate,

the

the place where her mother had

that Ms. Schnabel? What brings you to our doorstep? And

door swung inward with a creak of old

evening gown and clutching a

her face exuding

all this way, why don’t you and this young

nodded towards the woman, “Lavinia, this is

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

settled on Elara, taking in

For some reason, Lavinia felt the

tell 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

buzz during Lucian’s birthday, the

into the heart of the

2 F F

we’ll be imposing on your hospitality,

It’s my pleasure, truly.”

lawns of the garden, eventually reaching the drawing–room where she invited them

eyes shimmering, tiny laugh

what would you fancy? I’ll have some

– Sienna, perhaps.

“Thank you. I have a fondness for honey cakes, and my sister here adores strawberry

shortcake myself.

her chair closer to Noella,

she could be my

daughter,” Noella said, having done her research on the way over. Lucian had but

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

Elara were striking!

the Schnabels, had

it’s just a theory. I need data

trust only in empirical evidence, emotions trailing far behind

of an electric wheelchair approached, and Lucian, in the driver’s

taken

afternoon tea, Lavinia scolded, “Dad! How many times have I told you not to zoom around so fest indoors? Have you not seen the news about those old gentlemen getting hospitalized doing Just that?”

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

a child. You never make

easy.do

deafness, and navigated his wheelchair towards Noella.

His eyes landed on Elara and suddenly froze.

and disbelief, and introduced herself confidently, “Hello. I’m Elara, the daughter taken in by the Schnabel family.”

a smile. “Don’t underestimate Miss Elara here. She’s quite the researcher. I remember

in by the Schnabels? And so brilliant, too,