Blood Ties and Betrayal

Seraphine's pulse thundered in her ears as she stared at the man who had shaped so much of her past—her father. The last time she had seen him, he had been a figure of authority and control, a man who played the political game with ruthless precision. But now, here he was, seated in the heart of a hidden rebellion, acting as if nothing had changed.

She clenched her fists. "You expect me to believe this is a coincidence?"

Her father leaned back, studying her with the patience of a man who had already won. "No, my dear. I expected you to come. And now that you have, it's time for you to understand."

She scoffed. "Understand what? That you've been working with the enemy? That you've plotted against the very kingdom you once swore loyalty to?"

Veylan smirked from where he stood, arms crossed over his chest. "Loyalty is a fragile thing, princess. You, of all people, should know that."

Seraphine ignored him. Her focus was on the man before her—the one who had raised her to be cunning, calculating, and, above all, loyal to family.

"You betrayed me," she said, her voice like steel.

Her father's expression remained unreadable. "No. I set you on the right path. And now it's time for you to see the truth."

With a snap of his fingers, one of the robed figures stepped forward, placing a rolled parchment on the table. Her father gestured for her to take it.

Seraphine hesitated, then unrolled the document. As her eyes scanned the words, her breath hitched.

This wasn't just a record. It was a bloodline chart. A carefully detailed account of royal lineage, dating back to a time long before Kaelith's reign. And at the center of it—

Her name.

Her father's name.

And a long-forgotten dynasty.

The weight of it settled in her chest. Her blood wasn't just noble—it carried the right to a throne that had been stolen generations ago.

Her father's voice was soft but firm. "You were never meant to be a pawn, Seraphine. You were meant to be a queen."

A heavy silence filled the chamber.

She closed her eyes for a moment, her mind spinning. The revelation was earth-shattering, but it changed nothing. She had already made her choice.

When she opened her eyes, they were filled with resolve. "I don't care about thrones or stolen legacies. I know where my loyalty lies."

Her father's expression darkened. "Then you leave me no choice."

Veylan stepped forward, his smirk widening. "I was hoping you'd say that."

Before she could react, hands grabbed her arms from behind.

The trap had been set.

And she had walked straight into it.