CHAPTER 3: A FADING NAME, A BURNING RESOLVE

The heavy scent of ink and aged parchment filled the dimly lit study. Seraphina sat by the window, her fingers trailing over the yellowed documents spread before her. These were records of House Liora's former holdings—vast farmlands, shipping contracts, and once-profitable trade routes. Now, most were stamped with the royal seal, marking them as repossessed. Others bore the names of greedy nobles who had seized them in her family's downfall.

She exhaled, forcing down the flicker of anger rising in her chest. This was not just misfortune. This was deliberate.

House Liora had been a prestigious name, known for its wisdom and strategic alliances. Yet, in a single decade, their influence had crumbled. Why? It could not have been mere bad luck. Someone had orchestrated this decline.

Eleanor Liora, her mother, had long stopped fighting to reclaim their former status. Perhaps out of exhaustion, perhaps out of fear. But Seraphina was not afraid.

"If I was executed for treason in my past life, then I will wield that same cunning to ensure I never fall again."

She turned to Elise, her loyal maid, who watched her with wary eyes. "Send a message to our remaining allies," Seraphina instructed. "I want to meet with every merchant, noble, and banker who still holds ties to our house."

Elise hesitated. "My lady, many of them turned their backs on House Liora long ago."

Seraphina smiled—calm, but sharp. "Then let's see which of them can be reminded why they once stood by us."

A House with No Allies?

Two days later, Seraphina sat at the head of the modest dining hall, facing the few noblemen and merchants who had responded to her summons. The hall was nothing like the grand feasts of her past life; the once-proud House Liora could no longer afford such luxury.

She studied the faces before her—some held polite interest, others skepticism. A few looked outright amused.

Lord Hadrian, a portly man with graying hair, leaned back in his chair with a smirk. "Lady Seraphina, it is admirable that you wish to restore your family's standing. But business is about power and wealth. House Liora, forgive me, has neither."

A few others murmured in agreement.

Seraphina rested her chin against her fingers. Power and wealth? I had both in my past life. But I also had something more important—knowledge.

She spoke, her voice steady. "You're right, Lord Hadrian. House Liora is no longer what it once was. But that is precisely why now is the best time to invest."

Hadrian raised a brow. "Oh? And why is that?"

Seraphina leaned forward slightly. "Because while others waste fortunes maintaining their status, I will be building one from the ground up. And those who align with me now will reap far greater rewards when House Liora rises again."

The room fell silent. The idea was audacious. Ridiculous, even.

But some of them hesitated. Because they saw something in her expression. A certainty that made them wonder—what if she was right?

A few minutes later, one merchant tentatively spoke. "If Lady Seraphina can secure a strong venture, I would be willing to offer a minor investment…"

Another agreed. And then another.

Lord Hadrian chuckled. "You are quite the gambler, my lady."

Seraphina smiled. "I prefer to think of it as strategy."

A Name in the Shadows

That night, Seraphina stood on the balcony of her chamber, watching the moon cast its silver glow over the estate. The meeting had gone well—better than she had expected. A few hesitant allies were all she needed to start making moves.

But a single name kept surfacing in the conversations. A name that had caught her attention.

Duke Everhart.

He had returned to the capital.

Seraphina's fingers tightened around the balcony railing. He was one of the most powerful men in the kingdom, a war hero shrouded in mystery. She had heard of him even in her past life, though their paths had never crossed directly.

Now, nobles spoke of him in hushed voices. Some with admiration. Others with fear.

And for some reason, his return coincided with her own rebirth.

Coincidence? Or fate?

Seraphina closed her eyes, listening to the wind.

No matter what, she would restore House Liora. And if Duke Everhart was destined to cross her path… she would be ready.