CHAPTER 8: A WARNING IN THE DARK

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Seraphina sat at her desk, the candlelight flickering as she reread the letter.

> Lady Liora,

You tread upon a path long abandoned. Be wary of those who remember what should remain buried.

A Friend.

The wax seal had no insignia—a deliberate choice. No noble, merchant, or commoner would dare send an anonymous message unless they had something to hide.

But what did they know?

The past? The truth behind her family's fall? Or… something even deeper?

She had no answers, but something in her gut told her this was just the beginning.

A sharp knock at the door interrupted her thoughts.

"My lady," Elise's voice was soft but urgent. "There's something you need to see."

Seraphina's eyes flickered toward the letter once more before she stood, carefully slipping it into her desk.

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Shattered Loyalties

She followed Elise down the dimly lit halls. Even without words, she could feel the tension coiling in the air.

When they reached the entrance hall, she immediately noticed Gideon Aldrich, a wealthy merchant who had quietly supported House Liora's return.

Only now, his face was pale, his hands trembling.

"My lady," Gideon bowed deeply, his voice unsteady. "I came as soon as I heard… House Ravencourt has issued a warning."

Seraphina's lips pressed into a thin line. "A warning?"

Gideon swallowed hard. "They sent word to every merchant in the capital. 'Anyone who dares support House Liora will be seen as an enemy of the crown.'"

Elise gasped. "But that's—"

"Untrue," Seraphina finished coldly. "House Ravencourt is powerful, but they are not the crown."

Gideon nodded quickly. "Even so… most merchants will not risk crossing them. Even Master Laurent has grown hesitant."

Seraphina exhaled slowly.

She had expected resistance. She had prepared for it. But for Ravencourt to move this aggressively, this early…

That meant they saw her as a threat.

"Then I suppose," she said, voice calm, "it's time we remind the capital that House Liora does not yield."

Gideon hesitated. "You have a plan?"

Seraphina's smile was sharp. "I always have a plan."

Gideon still looked uneasy, but after a moment, he bowed. "Then I await your next move, my lady."

As he departed, Elise whispered, "This is bad. If the merchants pull back now, how will we—?"

Seraphina silenced her with a glance.

"I will not let House Ravencourt dictate my future." Her eyes gleamed with determination. "I will find another way."

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Shadows in the Estate

That night, the estate was silent.

Too silent.

Seraphina sat in her study, a detailed map of the city spread before her. She marked her allies, hesitant merchants, and those who might be swayed.

Her mind raced with possible strategies.

If House Ravencourt's threats were enough to make the merchants waver, then she needed leverage stronger than fear.

Before she could settle on a course of action, a sudden gust of wind flickered the candlelight.

And then—a presence.

Her instincts screamed.

Someone was watching her.

Seraphina didn't move immediately. Instead, she listened.

The air had shifted. The usual creaks of the old estate were absent. And then… a shadow stretched along the floor—one that was not hers.

Slowly, she turned her head.

A figure stood in the doorway, shrouded in a dark cloak. Unmoving. Watching.

Seraphina met their gaze, her voice calm despite the tension in the air.

"Who sent you?"

The figure said nothing.

Instead, they tossed something onto her desk. A small, silver emblem—polished, intricate, and etched with symbols she didn't recognize.

Before she could react, the shadowy figure stepped back—and vanished into the darkness.

Seraphina's breath came slow and measured as she picked up the emblem. Its edges were smooth, but the symbols engraved upon it were ancient.

And at its center, carved in delicate script, was a name.

Liora.

Her fingers tightened around it.

This was no ordinary insignia. This was a relic.

A remnant of something long forgotten.

A connection to her family's lost history.

And yet… why now?

Seraphina's heart pounded.

Someone knew the truth about House Liora.

And they had just sent her a message.

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