Turning the Game

Kaelith watched Seraphine carefully as she played her little game, but he did not stop her.

She wanted to test him? Fine.

But now, it was his turn.

A Sudden Invitation

The next morning, a royal messenger arrived at Seraphine's chambers.

"His Highness requests your presence," the servant announced. "He has arranged a visit to the city. A tour of the markets, as you wished."

Seraphine stilled.

This was too easy.

Kaelith had refused her just last night. Why change his mind now?

Still, she could not refuse without raising suspicion.

So, she smiled. "How thoughtful of my husband."

The Trap

The city was lively with music and merchants calling their wares. Seraphine played the perfect princess—gracious, poised, as if nothing were amiss.

But she was watching.

Kaelith had brought guards—too many. And more than that, he never let her stray too far.

Then, just as she turned a corner, she saw something that made her breath catch.

A familiar figure.

The same hooded man from the chapel.

And Kaelith was looking directly at him.

Seraphine kept her face neutral, but her mind raced. Kaelith had not just allowed this outing—he had orchestrated it.

He wanted to see how she would react.

Would she acknowledge the man? Would she signal him? Would she try to slip away?

This was never about her freedom. It was about setting a snare.

Seraphine exhaled softly, steadying herself.

Kaelith thought he had control.

She would remind him that the best traps… were the ones that caught the hunter instead