Princess? Queen?

The gates groaned open, their heavy iron frames jerking as they swung wide. The courtyard was lined with guards, standing at rigid attention, their armor sparkling despite the dull

sky. Their faces gave nothing away, no disdain, no welcome.

Seraphina kept her face calm.

She would not let them see her hesitate.

Kael dismounted first, smooth and sure. He swung off his horse with ease, landing lightly. A stablehand hurried forward carefully to take the reins.

Seraphina hesitated and took in a deep breath.

Because the moment her feet touched the ground, there would be no turning back.

She would no longer be Princess Seraphina of Valaris.

She would be Seraphina, Queen of Draeven.

A title she never wanted, A life she had never chosen.

She lifted her gaze and found Kael watching her, Waiting.

There was no smirk this time, no trace of the arrogance on his face.

Perhaps he knew, he knew this moment mattered to her.

And she hated it, she didn't want this pity.

So she did what she had always done when someone sought to test her.

She met his gaze, lifted her chin, and swung her leg over the saddle, her boots hit the ground with a quiet but firm thud.

She refuses to be pitied.

***

Inside, the castle was colder than she had expected.

The stone walls stretched high and endless. Heavy banners with Draeven's sigil and a silver wolf on crimson hung overhead. The smooth floors were bare, the torches casting long, flickering shadows.

No warmth, No comfort. Only strength and power.

Servants moved quickly through the halls, their eyes glancing toward Kael as he passed. Some bowed their heads, murmuring respectful greetings. Others stole sneaky glances at Seraphina with curiosity on their faces.

She ignored them.

She had spent all her life listening to whispers against her and judgemental glares from nobles so this was no different.

If they wanted to watch her, let them.

If they wanted to whisper, let them.

Because no matter how cold these walls were, no matter how much she despised the man who had brought her here…

She was still Seraphina Valaris

And she would not allow any atom of whispers and gossip get to her.

***

Kael stopped at the foot of the grand staircase, his boots echoing against the stone as he turned to face her. His expression was calm and composed.

"Your chambers have been prepared," he said, his voice steady.

Seraphina lifted her chin, forcing a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "How generous of you."

His lips twitched, amusement barely there. "I do my best."

Before she could snap back, a woman emerged, walking towards her with long strides, her presence commanding. She was tall, with dark hair pinned in a severe braid, her deep blue robes complementing her skin. Her sharp gaze flicked over Seraphina as if assessing her.

Then she bowed. "Your Majesty," she greeted, though her tone lacked warmth. "I am Lady Lyssa, the king's steward. I will escort the princess to her quarters."

Princess?

Not queen.

The word sat heavy in her chest, heavier than it should have been.

She had carried the title all her life, but here, in this cold castle, it felt different. Like a reminder that she didn't belong. Despite the vows, despite the duty forced upon her, she was still an outsider.

Kael watched her closely, waiting for a reaction.

She refused to give him one.

"Rest, Princess," he said, at last, his voice calm but firm. "Tomorrow, your lessons begin."

Seraphina frowned. "Lessons?"

His smirk returned. "A queen must understand her kingdom, after all."

She stiffened. Queen?

"Why was he going back and forth", she thought.

She hated the way the word sounded on his lips as if it were an undeniable truth.

"I will never be your queen, Kael Draeven," she bit out.

He didn't flinch. Didn't falter. Instead, he stepped closer, the space between them vanishing in an instant.

Seraphina stood her ground, refusing to retreat, but when he spoke again, his voice was lower, quieter.

"You already are, Seraphina."

Her breath caught. The assurance in his voice, the way he said it as if there was nothing to debate, nothing to fight no matter how much she resisted. It was upsetting.

She wanted to tell him he was wrong but she said nothing, because despite everything, despite the war, the hatred, the past she refused to let go of…

She knew, deep down, that he was right and that terrified her more than anything else.

The heavy doors to her chamber shut behind her with a dull, echoing thud.

For the first time in hours, she was truly alone.

Seraphina exhaled sharply, the tension in her shoulders easing just slightly. The room before her was grand—larger than her old quarters back in Valaris, with high ceilings and great quarters burning low in the corner. The bed was massive, draped in silks darker than midnight, and a carved wooden wardrobe stood against the far wall.

It was beautiful. Lavish. Everything a queen's chambers should be.

And yet, it felt like nothing more than a prison.

She stepped forward slowly, her boots sinking into the thick rug beneath her feet. The room was silent, the sound of the soft crackling of firewood was heard.

Her gaze landed on the vanity near the window, the mirror's polished surface reflecting her exhausted face at her.

She barely recognized herself.

Her dress which was once clean and beautiful was now caked with dust from the journey. Stray strands of hair had fallen loose from their pins, and her face looked different, tired, haunted, and angry.