Chapter 13:A Friend’s Loyalty

*Chapter 13: A Friend's Loyalty*

The sun was beginning to set, casting a soft amber glow over the estate as Seraphina sat on one of the garden benches, her thoughts scattered. It had been a whirlwind few days, filled with revelations, new alliances, and the ever-present weight of her destiny. Iliana had been a welcome distraction, someone to talk to about things that Seraphina couldn't discuss with anyone else. But there was still one person who had always been her constant: *Maria*.

Seraphina hadn't had a chance to speak with Maria in a while. The last time they had shared a moment together was before the chaos of the prophecy came to light. Back then, everything had seemed simpler—just two friends navigating school life, without the burden of magic or destiny hanging over them.

Seraphina stood up, brushing a few stray leaves from her skirt. She needed to talk to Maria. With everything that had changed, Maria deserved to know the truth, especially if their friendship was going to survive the storm that was approaching.

As she made her way through the halls, her thoughts drifted to Maria. Her best friend was nothing like Seraphina. While Seraphina had been raised in a world of expectations and power, Maria had grown up in a humble but loving family, far removed from the Silver-Bloods' world. Maria had always been down-to-earth, her humor infectious, and her loyalty unwavering. If anyone could bring a sense of normalcy to Seraphina's life, it was Maria.

Reaching the dormitory wing, Seraphina knocked gently on Maria's door. It opened almost immediately, and Maria's familiar face appeared, her expression lighting up with a grin.

"Seraphina! You're back!" Maria exclaimed, her voice a welcome burst of energy. "Come on in, I was just about to die from boredom. You wouldn't believe how many pages I've read in my textbook today, and I'm still not halfway through!" She rolled her eyes dramatically, making Seraphina laugh.

"I can't believe you're still reading that. You know it's practically impossible to learn anything from those boring textbooks." Seraphina teased, stepping inside.

Maria waved her hand dismissively. "Tell that to Professor Lysander, the tyrant of all academia," she said, plopping herself down on the bed with a sigh. "Anyway, what's up? You've been off the radar for a couple of days now. Everything okay?"

Seraphina hesitated, unsure how much she should reveal. But Maria deserved to know, especially after everything they'd been through together.

Taking a deep breath, Seraphina sat down next to her. "I need to talk to you about something important. Something big. It's about the family... and the prophecy."

Maria's face immediately turned serious, the playful energy fading as she sat up straighter. "What prophecy? Seraphina, what's going on?" Her tone was soft but filled with concern.

Seraphina ran a hand through her hair, trying to find the right words. "Maria, there's something I haven't told you. Something I didn't even want to believe was true. But I've learned that I have powers—magic. And there's a prophecy about me. About what I'm supposed to do."

Maria blinked at her, clearly processing the weight of Seraphina's words. "Wait... powers? Like actual magic?" She let out a nervous laugh, clearly unsure of what to think. "But... but you're not a mage, are you? I mean, this is some next-level stuff."

Seraphina nodded slowly. "I didn't believe it at first either. But it's real. My powers are tied to the Silver-Blood bloodline—silver magic. I'm meant to unlock something powerful, something that could change everything."

Maria's eyes narrowed as she watched Seraphina, her expression turning from confusion to concern. "Okay, that sounds… intense. But what exactly does this mean for you? For us?"

Seraphina shifted uncomfortably. "It means I'm being pulled into something bigger than I can handle. My father is pushing me to embrace my role, but I don't know if I'm ready. I don't know if I can live up to what's expected of me." Her voice wavered slightly as the fear and uncertainty she'd been hiding started to spill out.

Maria's face softened, and she reached out, placing a hand on Seraphina's. "Listen to me, okay?" Maria said, her voice calm and steady. "You don't have to do this alone. You've got me. You've always had me." Her grip tightened for a moment, a silent promise.

Seraphina's heart clenched at her friend's unwavering loyalty. She had never once doubted Maria's support, even when things seemed impossible. But now, with the stakes higher than ever, Seraphina wasn't sure how she could protect her friend from the dangers ahead.

"I'm scared, Maria. I don't know what this power means for me or what's coming next." Seraphina's voice cracked, and she hated that she was showing such vulnerability. But she couldn't help it.

Maria gave her a small, reassuring smile. "You don't have to have all the answers right now. You just have to know one thing: I'm not going anywhere. We've been through everything together, and this... this is no different. Whatever happens, we're in this together."

Seraphina looked at her, her chest tight with emotion. "But Maria, this is bigger than us. There's danger, and there's so much I don't understand. What if I can't control it?"

Maria shrugged nonchalantly, as though brushing aside the weight of Seraphina's words. "You'll control it. You're stronger than you think. And I know I can't wave a magic wand to fix things, but I can stand by you. I can help you figure it out."

Seraphina's eyes welled with tears she hadn't expected. "You don't know what you're getting into."

Maria tilted her head, meeting Seraphina's gaze. "And you don't know what you're capable of yet. But that's okay. We'll take it one step at a time. And I promise, we'll make it through this."

There was something in Maria's words, a quiet conviction that made Seraphina's doubts begin to melt away. In that moment, she realized just how much Maria had always been there for her, even when the world seemed overwhelming.

"I don't deserve a friend like you," Seraphina whispered, her voice thick with gratitude.

Maria grinned, her eyes sparkling. "You don't have to deserve me. I'm not going anywhere. Besides, who else would put up with your endless brooding and cryptic family drama?"

Seraphina chuckled softly, the warmth of Maria's friendship washing over her. "I guess you're right. Who else would do that?"

They sat in companionable silence for a while, the weight of the conversation lingering but not suffocating. Seraphina knew that the road ahead wouldn't be easy, but with Maria by her side—and Iliana, too—maybe, just maybe, she could find a way to face whatever challenges awaited her.

"One more thing," Maria added, her voice teasing. "You're not getting away with all that magical stuff without showing me some cool tricks. I want to see what you've got."

Seraphina laughed, the tension finally easing from her shoulders. "Don't get your hopes up. I haven't quite figured it all out yet."

Maria raised an eyebrow, a grin tugging at the corners of her mouth. "Well, when you do, I expect a demonstration. It's only fair."