Another step

The grand hall of the royal court buzzed with excitement, the murmur of nobles and courtiers mixing with the occasional clink of armor as knights and guards moved about.

The chandeliers overhead glowed brilliance that would have made anyone in the room feel small, even if they didn't know their place in the kingdom. 

Seraphina, however, was all too familiar with her role and this was no place for her. 

Not anymore.

Her hair shimmered under the lights as she stood at the entrance, her back straight, her hands clasped at her waist. 

She had practiced this pose dozens of times, asking Rhea, Elira, and Argi if this was the correct way a lady should stand.

They were confused as she should know this by now; it was nothing new.

'Of course, Seraphina knows how to stand properly, this is basic knowledge'

She sighed as she looked back at the memory, an awkward and funny memory.

Shaking her head, she scanned the room coolly, as she took in the mundane gathering that had become so familiar to her over her first year.

'Just another day of meaningless politics, endless flattery, and the royal court's usual circus'

'Wonder if that father of mine will get off my back for a while if I just show my face'

Of course, it seemed that the universe enjoyed making things interesting, as today would not be ordinary.

"Ah, Seraphina," a voice called out from behind her, smooth and far too familiar. 

"It's been a while, hasn't it?"

Seraphina's breath caught in her throat, but she swiftly masked her reaction with practiced calm. 

She turned her face to an unreadable mask, to find the source of the voice. 

There, standing as though he had never left, was Lord Donovan Virelli.

Seraphina's former fiancé, or more accurately, the man who had once thought he owned her.

The bastard.

A real son of a bitch who deserved to be hanged by his balls, nay he shouldn't be allowed to even breathe air.

But death would be too much of a luxury for a shitbag like him.

Donovan looked exactly as Seraphina remembered him and how the novel described him.

He is tall, impeccably groomed, his rich brown hair neatly combed and his elegant clothes setting him apart from the butlers and maids that wandered around the court. 

His presence exuded that all-too-familiar arrogance. 

It had never been difficult to spot him among the crowd. 

His smug smile alone could light up the room.

And yet, the bastard had beauty, like those you would see in a museum, another trick up his sleeve was knowing how handsome he was.

'Shit… breathe, smile, act'

"Lord Virelli," Seraphina greeted with a calm that almost didn't suit her, but a whole year of pretending to be a dutiful princess, like in the original novel had taught her how to wear her indifference like a second skin.

"It's been quite an eternity, hasn't it?"

Donovan's lips curved into a grin that would have made most women weak at the knees. 

To Seraphina, it only served to reinforce just how far she had come. 

It only reminded her of her father, a cold heartless bastard that would use anyone if it meant they could climb further.

"I've been away on business," he said, making air quotes with his fingers, his gaze flicking over her, taking in her attire with a hint of disdain. 

"But I've been told the kingdom is lacking a certain... refined presence" 

His gaze lingered on her, too long, and Seraphina didn't miss the slight twitch of his lips as he appraised her from head to toe. 

'Disgusting FUCK!'

"I've heard your little shops are doing quite well"

The flicker of disdain in his tone wasn't lost on her. 

'And there it is'

'Trying to make it sound as if I'm not good enough for anyone, bastard, why should I care how you think?'

"And I see you've kept busy... with all of this," he continued, gesturing to the bustling court around them, but his eyes never strayed from her face. 

"Such an interesting choice of profession, Seraphina. Healing the sick, running restaurants. Is this really your idea of a legacy?"

Seraphina raised an eyebrow, the sharp edge of sarcasm creeping into her voice. 

"I would hardly call it a legacy," she said smoothly. 

"More of a small project of mine"

"You should try it sometime. You might find it refreshing"

Donovan's lips twitched, the tiniest frown beginning to form at the corners of his mouth. 

He cleared his throat, but there was no hiding the way his gaze darkened. 

"Perhaps," he said, his tone now more cutting, "but there are more important things to focus on than peasant businesses"

Seraphina's fingers curled into fists at her sides, but she didn't let the anger show on her face. 

'Oh, how delightful. The condescension. I remember this'

'In the original novel, Seraphina would've swallowed this line of garbage whole, and he would've played her like a puppet'

But not anymore. 

She had learned better, and she wasn't about to let Donovan back into her head or her life.

"I've got everything I need right here," she said, tapping her fingers lightly against the sleeve of her coat. 

Her voice was smooth, but the underlying coldness of her words carried through. 

"And it's certainly more satisfying than being a pawn in someone else's game, wouldn't you agree?"

For a moment, Donovan faltered. 

His eyes flicked from her face to her hands, the knuckles white from the pressure. 

But he recovered quickly, his usual smirk returning as he leaned in closer, his voice soft but heavy with a new, dangerous edge.

"We both know, Seraphina," he murmured, "that your future lies with me" 

His words were low, barely a whisper, but his tone made them sound like a statement of undeniable fact. 

"You belong in the royal circle, not in shops, not in the dirt with the commoners"

Seraphina tilted her head, allowing herself just the briefest flash of humor. 

"You've always been good at telling people where they belong, haven't you?" she said, her voice sweet like honey, but with an underlying venom. 

"But the truth is, Lord Virelli, you've never really seen me. You never did"

"It's honestly disgusting that you thought you could control me with your promises of grandeur, but I've already moved past all of that"

Donovan's jaw clenched, but he didn't break eye contact. 

There was a brief, dangerous silence between them, the tension so thick it could be cut with a knife. 

He stepped back, his gaze flicking to her lips before settling back on her eyes. 

"I always knew you had a bit of fire in you," he said, his voice colder now, calculating. 

"But be careful, Seraphina. You're playing a dangerous game. People who don't understand their place in the court don't tend to last long"

Seraphina smiled. 

It was a smile she knew would drive him mad because it wasn't one of fear. 

No, this one was of pure, unadulterated confidence. 

"If you're so concerned, Lord Virelli, then perhaps you should spend less time worrying about my 'place' and more time worrying about your own"

Seraphina turned to walk away, but as her heels clicked against the marble floor, a familiar presence joined her side. 

Reiner had been watching from a distance, his face unreadable, but there was no hiding the tension in his posture. 

He had been close enough to hear every word exchanged.

"That man," Reiner began, his voice tight, "is insufferable. Are you alright?"

Seraphina couldn't help but laugh softly, the sound almost amused as she glanced over at him. 

"I'm fine," she said, her voice light. 

"Just the same old song and dance. You know, the one where he tries to convince me he's my way out of this misery"

Reiner's gaze darkened as his hand subtly flexed at his side, but he didn't say anything for a moment. 

Finally, he spoke, his voice low but firm. 

"He's still trying to manipulate you. Does he really think you'll fall for that again?"

Seraphina's lips curled into a faint, wry smile. 

"Well, it's certainly not the first time he's tried" 

She sighed, her gaze scanning the room once more. 

"But this time, he's wasting his breath. I have better things to do than play his game"

Reiner let out a sharp breath, clearly frustrated, but he didn't push the matter further. 

His eyes softened as he looked at her. 

"I just don't like the way he looks at you"

Seraphina chuckled. 

"Don't worry, Reiner. I've dealt with far worse than him" 

She paused, her eyes darkening with something more than mere annoyance. 

"And I won't let him—" 

She was cut off by a familiar voice.

She turned to see Kaelen making his way toward her through the crowd, that easygoing grin of his lighting up his face. 

It was a stark contrast to the tension of just moments ago.

"Looks like someone's been stirring the pot," Kaelen remarked, glancing at Donovan, who was still watching them with a brooding expression. 

"You handled that well, though. Almost like you've had practice"

Seraphina raised an eyebrow. 

"Oh, I've had plenty of practice," she said, her voice playful yet still sharp. 

"It's just... different this time"

Kaelen smiled, a soft, knowing look crossing his face as he came to stand beside her. 

"Well, no matter what, you've got people who have your back. Don't forget that"

She met his gaze, her expression softening just a little. 

"I won't," she said quietly, the weight of her words settling between them.

"Let's just get this whole thing over with"

Both men nodded as they stepped into the court.

2 Hours Later

As the royal court finally dispersed, Seraphina couldn't shake the feeling that Donovan's appearance today wasn't just a coincidence. 

There was something in the way he looked at her, something in the words he had chosen, that told her he wasn't here to rekindle a lost romance. 

He was here to take something far more dangerous than her heart.

'He's not just trying to win me back,' Seraphina thought darkly as she exited the hall. 

'Not like I expected much, that bastard never loved Seraphina, and I will never fall for his tricks'

'Regardless, he made quite the mess for me to think about, I'm one hundred percent sure Father had something to do with this'

She sighed as she walked through the grand corridors. 

Her mind was spinning, torn between her simmering anger and the subtle satisfaction of having held her ground against Donovan.

But before she could escape to the quieter chambers of the palace, a guard appeared at her side, blocking her path.

"Lady Seraphina," the guard said, bowing slightly. 

His voice was respectful, but there was an urgency to his tone that caught her attention. 

"His Majesty has summoned you. He requests your presence in the throne room immediately"

'Speak of the devil'

Seraphina's heart stopped for a second. 

The last time she had been called to the throne room had been under far more serious circumstances. 

She hadn't been able to avoid the court completely, but she'd been dreading this moment. 

'If I avoid him now, he might destroy one of my shops…'

With a deep sigh, she nodded curtly. 

"Lead the way"

10 Minutes Later

The throne room loomed before her, its grand door swinging open with an ominous creak. 

As Seraphina stepped inside, her gaze immediately found King Aldric, sitting on his ornate golden throne with that ever-imposing air of authority. 

It was over the top and fit the fantasy narrative perfectly.

His sharp eyes narrowed slightly upon seeing her, and Seraphina didn't miss the flicker of surprise that flashed across his face before he composed himself.

"Seraphina," King Aldric's voice echoed through the vast chamber, deep and commanding. 

"I trust I'm not interrupting anything important?"

Seraphina raised an eyebrow at him. 

'His gracious attitude never changes,' she thought bitterly. 

She stepped forward, not waiting for him to offer any formalities.

"Nothing you haven't already seen in this court, Father," she replied coolly, the faintest touch of sarcasm on her lips.

'We both know this is just another one of your games, Aldric'

King Aldric's lips twitched, though it wasn't quite a smile. 

"I trust you've been keeping yourself... busy?" he asked, his tone dripping with condescension.

"More than most people can handle," Seraphina shot back, her eyes flashing with a defiance that only seemed to amuse him.

"Good," he said with a low chuckle, "because I'm afraid I have something that will require your... full attention" 

He leaned back, folding his hands together with a thoughtful expression. 

"It seems there's been some... concern over your recent activities, despite proving yourself time and time again there are still those that are not fully on board"

"Concern?" Seraphina scoffed, her voice dripping with disbelief. 

"Concern from who, Father? From the same nobles who pretend to be concerned about the kingdom's future while stuffing their pockets with gold?"

"Or is it from you, who has more than enough to worry about?"

The king's eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze piercing, but Seraphina didn't flinch. 

'I have faced death in the eyes, Aldric, do you think that I would be intimidated by this royal circus?'

"You're quite bold, Seraphina," King Aldric said, his lips curling into a sly smile. 

"And that is why you've always intrigued me" 

He paused, letting the silence stretch for a moment before he continued. 

"However, your... activities in the town, these 'shops,' are not going unnoticed"

"The court, despite you pushing them out of your business, they have taken an interest"

"Besides I think it's about time someone reminds you of your place in all this"

Seraphina crossed her arms, refusing to back down. 

"My place? Funny, because I don't remember anyone asking me about my place"

"You certainly didn't give me a choice when you wanted to use me as some kind of pawn for your throne" 

Her eyes narrowed, and she took a step forward, her voice low but cutting. 

"But now that I'm standing on my own, making my own decisions, you want to remind me of my place?!"

King Aldric's face shifted from amusement to something more dangerous, but he quickly regained control, his voice still dripping with that calm arrogance. 

"You misunderstand, Seraphina. I'm not here to punish you," he said, his tone suddenly too smooth. 

"But your actions have far-reaching consequences. You don't get to make a fool of the court and just walk away unscathed"

Seraphina's eyes flicked to the floor briefly. 

'This is exactly what I expected, he wants control, he wants power, and he thinks he can intimidate me into playing by his rules'

But she wasn't going to let him have that satisfaction. 

"The only person who has ever made a fool of this court is you, Father," she said with a scathing look. 

"You and your endless games. I was once part of your plot, but not anymore"

The tension in the room crackled like static as the King leaned forward slightly, his gaze darkening. 

His fingers drummed lightly on the armrest of his throne, but the movement was subtle—deliberate. 

"I see you've grown bolder with time," he said, his voice laced with quiet menace. 

"Perhaps that's why you think you can stand here, challenging me, as if you're equal to me"

"But you're not, Seraphina"

"You never were"

Seraphina didn't flinch at his words, instead letting out a soft chuckle, the sound carrying the weight of years of resentment. 

The actual Seraphina's resentment.

"I'm sorry, Father," she said with biting sarcasm. 

"But remember who saved your life"

"You wouldn't be sitting on that throne if it weren't for me" 

Her words hung in the air, stark and accusing.

The King's expression flickered but only for a brief moment, but Seraphina saw it. 

The fleeting discomfort, the twitch in his jaw. 

He couldn't erase the truth that hung between them.

But just as quickly, Aldric straightened, his face returning to its usual mask of indifference. 

"Ah, yes. How could I forget?" he said with an uncomfortable laugh that sent a chill down Seraphina's spine. 

"The great Seraphina, the one who always has a trick up her sleeve" 

He chuckled again, but something was unnerving about it. 

The laugh didn't reach his eyes.

His damn eyes held no emotion, no light, no life.

Seraphina didn't trust his laugh or his look.

Not one bit. 

Something was unsettling in it, a hint of something dark, like a predator playing with its prey before the kill.

"Don't forget it," she said quietly, her voice hardening with every syllable. 

"And next time you think of undermining me, remember who saved you from your sickness"

The King's eyes darkened briefly, but the smile never left his face. 

He leaned back in his chair again, folding his arms with a look of casual superiority.

"Continue to struggle, Seraphina," he said, his voice laced with an air of finality, as though he had already dismissed her. 

"You'll need it"

Seraphina's heart pounded in her chest, but she refused to show any sign of weakness. 

With a curt nod, she turned and walked toward the door. 

"I'll take my leave then, Father. Try not to get too comfortable in your position"

As she exited the throne room, the echoes of the King's unsettling laugh rang in her ears. 

'No, Aldric,' she thought, her grip tightening on the doorframe as she stepped out into the corridor. 

'It's you who should be worried'

Seraphina left the throne room in a blur, her mind racing from the exchange with her father. 

Her footsteps echoed through the grand hallways as she made her way back to her chambers, the weight of the conversation hanging over her. 

She needed a moment of peace, a few minutes to gather her thoughts and recalibrate. 

As she approached the entrance to her room, the sound of a familiar voice caused her to stop in her tracks.

"Lady Seraphina"

She looked up, surprised to see Aleron standing just outside her door. 

His usual composed demeanor was tinged with an unreadable expression, his green eyes watching her with interest.

"Lord Aleron," she greeted him, her voice guarded. 

"To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Aleron gave a small smile, one that didn't quite reach his eyes. 

He bowed slightly, his posture impeccable, as always. 

"I've been keeping an eye on you," he said smoothly, "and I thought you might need someone to speak with after... the King's summons"

Seraphina raised an eyebrow. 

'Keeping an eye on me? How much does he know?'

"I don't suppose you're here to offer your wisdom about that conversation, are you?" she asked, her tone dry.

Aleron's eyes gleamed with a subtle amusement. 

"Not directly, no," he said cryptically. 

"But I did want to remind you not to worry about the King's threats. They are nothing more than his usual posturing"

"Nothing you cannot handle"

Seraphina paused, her curiosity piqued. 

'Posturing?'

"You're quite confident in that assessment, Lord Aleron. How do you know?"

Aleron's smile faltered, but only for a fraction of a second before he recovered. 

He didn't answer her question directly, his voice smooth as silk. 

"Let's just say... I've been around long enough to understand when the King is bluffing" 

He met her gaze evenly. 

"His Majesty's threats have little weight when it comes to you, Seraphina. The real issue at hand is your growing influence among the people"

"It seems they are starting to take notice of you"

Seraphina stiffened at his words. 

'Growing influence among the people?'

She hadn't expected that. 

"What do you mean by that?" she asked, narrowing her eyes. 

"Are you saying the King is worried because of... my shops?"

Aleron merely shrugged, the slightest flicker of a smile tugging at his lips. 

"It's not just the shops, Lady Seraphina. It's everything, the way you've become involved with the common folk, how you've managed to carve out a place for yourself in the world"

"It's that which unsettles him"

She gave him a sharp look, her mind racing. 

'This is what he's worried about? That people are starting to look at me differently?'

"I suppose I've become quite the thorn in his side," she muttered under her breath.

Aleron's smile widened, but it wasn't a comforting smile. 

It was the kind of smile that hinted at dangerous knowledge. 

"You've done more than that, Seraphina. You've become something far more dangerous in his eyes" 

He paused, his tone becoming almost serious. 

"I would advise you to be cautious. The King isn't one to take kindly to those who outshine him, especially not when his power is so fragile"

She met his gaze with a hard look. 

"I don't plan to play by his rules, Aleron. I never have" 

Aleron studied her for a moment as if weighing her words. 

Then, he gave a small nod. 

"I didn't expect you to" 

His voice softened slightly, "Just remember, you're not alone in this. We all have our roles to play"

Before she could respond, he turned to leave, but not before pausing in the doorway. 

"Take care, Princess. I'm sure you have much to think about"

"... That I will…"

Later that Evening

Seraphina entered her room with a sigh, the door closing quietly behind her. 

She could already feel the weight of the day pressing down on her, the tension from the throne room, and the cryptic warning from Aleron.

Fixing things at her shops, dealing with the nobles, and having to train her body.

It was all so stressful and yet rewarding.

Her chamber was quiet, the soft glow of candlelight flickering across the walls. 

But there was one constant in her life that always seemed to bring her peace, Rhea.

She was waiting for her, as usual, holding a tray with a pot of steaming tea.

"Welcome back, my lady," Rhea greeted her softly, her tone calm and soothing. 

She placed the tray on a small table near the window, where Seraphina often sat to think. 

"You seem troubled. Would you like some tea?"

Seraphina sat down in the chair with a tired sigh, grateful for Rhea's understanding. 

"I could use something to calm my mind," she said, sinking into the chair. 

She ran a hand through her hair, the weight of the day catching up to her.

Rhea poured the tea into a delicate porcelain cup, the steam rising in soft tendrils. 

"I've made your favorite blend," she said, offering the cup to Seraphina. 

"It will help you relax"

Seraphina accepted the tea with a quiet nod. 

She brought the cup to her lips, savoring the warm scent as it wafted through the air. 

Her mind, still filled with Aleron's words and the King's threats, slowly began to settle as she took a long sip.

"Thank you, Rhea," she said softly, looking up at her. 

"It's exactly what I needed"

Rhea simply smiled, her brown eyes twinkling with something close to understanding. 

"I'm always here for you, my lady. You don't need to carry the weight of the world on your own"

Seraphina stared into her tea, the quiet comfort of the moment allowing her to collect herself. 

'It's strange,' she thought. 

'I've been preparing for the worst for so long, but now… now it feels like I'm getting closer to something'

'Something important'

But before she could ponder further, Rhea spoke again, her voice low and almost knowing. 

"The storm may be coming, Lady Seraphina. But I believe you'll weather it well. After all, you always have"

Seraphina gave a soft smile, her tension easing slightly. 

"I hope you're right, Rhea"

With that, the two of them sat in silence for a while longer, the soft clink of porcelain the only sound between them. 

Amid the chaos that was in the kingdom, in the middle of the games her father played, Seraphina found some small peace in Rhea's presence.

For now, it was enough.