"Between the Lines of the Forbidden Book and the Duke"

A few gentle knocks on the door interrupted my drifting thoughts. It was Amelia, my governess, who had always felt like more than a servant—she was my only refuge in this strange palace.

"Milady, may I come in?"

Her soft voice carried an unusual tension.

"Come in, Amelia. What is it?"

I had a strange feeling that something was happening. I sat waiting as her confident steps approached me, but she couldn't hide her worry.

"Milady… the Marquis Draconia has invited you to have dinner with him."

"Dinner?" I murmured hesitantly, searching her face for an unspoken answer.

She offered a reassuring smile and added, "Yes, Milady. It seems he wants to speak with you personally."

I felt an irresistible curiosity.

"Alright. I think dinner with him is a good idea. Perhaps I'll discover something about Seraphina in this palace… or about that sacred power the High Priest spoke of. If what they say is true, maybe I'll find out why she is chosen to marry into one of the five families."

I stood slowly and said firmly, "Amelia, get me ready."

"As you wish, Milady."

While Amelia combed my long golden hair, I studied my reflection in the mirror. At first, I hadn't cared about Seraphina's appearance, but the more I looked, the more I realized how stunning she was. Her golden hair flowed like a silk waterfall, and her emerald eyes sparkled like priceless treasures.

"Milady, I think these earrings will match your eyes perfectly."

I took the earrings cautiously and whispered, "They're beautiful…"

Amelia smiled and said lightly, "You are breathtaking, Milady. Anyone who sees you tonight won't be able to take their eyes off you."

As Amelia opened the boxes and searched for matching jewelry, she said, "Milady, all of these are gifts from the Crown Prince. When he learned that you'd be going to the Marquis' residence, he asked me to place them in the carriage."

"The Crown Prince? Charles did this?" I was overwhelmed with surprise, and I couldn't hide the blush on my cheeks.

"Yes, Milady. He was very careful in choosing the gifts. I heard from the maids that he spent his morning personally selecting the right pieces."

I imagined Charles in the shops, hesitating between the items, his eyes gleaming with a strange passion. My face turned redder, and a small smile formed on my lips without my will.

---

Meeting the Marquis

After I was ready, I stood in front of the mirror. This is Seraphina—or rather… this is me now.

A servant guided us through the long corridors of the Marquis' palace until we reached a grand and majestic door. It reflected the magnificence of the place and its owner.

The door opened, and there sat Marquis Valen, composed and regal in his large chair. As soon as he saw me, he rose gracefully, a soft smile gracing his attractive features.

"Milady, it's an honor to have you here."

He gently took my hand and led me to the seat beside him. I sat, feeling overwhelmed with shyness. His eyes never left me, studying every detail of my face.

"I hope this evening will be as special as you deserve."

His voice was calm, but his words sent me into a whirlwind of emotions.

This evening… may hold more than I expected.

As I sat in the chair beside Marquis Valen, I felt his gaze gently pierce through me, as if it carried more than what showed on the surface. I tried to remain calm, but my heart pounded fiercely under the weight of his commanding presence.

"Did you enjoy your tour of the palace, Milady?" he asked in a deep voice.

"Yes, the place is stunning. It feels like every corner tells a story."

He smiled mysteriously and said, "If you allow me, I'll tell you another story… one that's about me."

His words surprised me, and I looked at him with curiosity. "A story about you?"

"Yes. Since I first heard of you, I've felt something strange… as if fate binds me to you. And now, sitting beside you, I realize that feeling wasn't wrong."

His words made my cheeks burn, and I lowered my gaze to avoid his intense eyes. But before I could respond, he suddenly stood and approached me, closing the distance between us to almost nothing.

"Valen?" I whispered in a trembling voice.

He didn't answer. Instead, he leaned in slowly, his eyes locked with mine, as if seeking silent permission. I felt his warm breath touch my face, and before I could comprehend what was happening, he pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead.

The kiss was unexpected, but not cold or bold. It was full of warmth and tenderness. I felt a strange heat spread through my body, as if something inside me had been waiting for that moment to be set free.

"I'm sorry… I couldn't resist," he whispered softly, his voice a mix of shyness and boldness.

I looked at him, trying to process what had just happened, but couldn't find the right words. All I could do was smile shyly.

"I won't force anything on you, Milady. But I wanted to tell you, in a different way… how special you are to me."

---

That moment left me confused

Marquis Valen sat at the head of the table, surrounded by an air of elegance and authority. In front of him, the dishes were arranged with care and luxury, but I felt as if I were facing a test I didn't know the rules of.

"Please, Milady. Don't let the food get cold," Valen said in his calm voice, but his gaze watched me closely.

My hand trembled slightly as I held the fork. Countess Adeline, who was responsible for teaching me dining etiquette, hadn't finished my lessons yet. Faced with so many utensils, I didn't know where to begin.

I took a deep breath and tried to appear natural, but my nervousness was obvious. I didn't expect him to notice, but a light smile spread on his lips as he suddenly stood from his seat.

"You seem a bit anxious, Milady," he said quietly as he came toward me.

Before I could respond, he pulled out the chair beside me and sat close, making me feel even more embarrassed.

"Don't worry, I won't let this situation unsettle you."

He gently took the fork from my hand and began explaining, his voice low, as if every word was meant for me alone:

"Look, we always start with the utensils from the outside in. The small fork for salad, the large one for the main course, and so on."

As he spoke, I felt the warmth of his hand touch mine briefly as he guided me on how to hold the fork correctly. I looked at him shyly, but his eyes were calm, telling me that everything was alright.

"See? Not so difficult, is it?" he said with a gentle smile.

I murmured, "Thank you… I just… never learned these things before."

"That's perfectly fine. True beauty doesn't lie in mastering dining etiquette, but in the presence that leaves an impact. And I believe you master that beautifully."

His words made my face burn deeply, and I couldn't stop myself from lowering my gaze. But he didn't stop. Instead, he added playfully, "And I think your shyness now is more beautiful than anything else on this table."

I giggled softly despite my tension, and I felt the situation shift from embarrassment to a very special moment between us.

When I took my first correct bite, he smiled encouragingly:

"Excellent. I believe I deserve a reward for my good teaching, don't you?"

"And what kind of reward do you want?" I asked hesitantly.

"Nothing grand. Maybe just… that you smile at me like that again."

His smile was soft, but it carried a warmth that made my heart race wildly. I felt that dinner had turned into a lesson not only in etiquette but in the beginning of something deeper.

---

After we finished eating, I felt the air in the dining hall grow heavy with all the conversations and glances we exchanged. There were so many questions spinning in my head, but what troubled me most was the persistent feeling of strangeness toward this body I now lived in.

I looked at Marquis Valen, who seemed lost in thought, and softly said:

"Lord Valen, may I ask for permission to go to your library? I'd like to borrow some books."

He raised an eyebrow slightly before smiling gently:

"Of course, Milady. The library is open to you at any time. The guard outside will escort you."

I felt grateful and bowed slightly before following the guard through the palace's long hallways. The walls were adorned with old oil paintings, and the candlelight gave the place a mysterious and majestic ambiance.

"The library is here, Milady," the guard said kindly, slowly opening a large door.

I stepped into the grand room, where shelves of books reached the ceiling, and mountains of knowledge awaited exploration.

But suddenly, before I could close the door behind me, one of the guards entered quickly and whispered something to Marquis Valen, who had followed us unexpectedly.

"It seems something needs my attention, Milady," he said apologetically, looking at me.

"Take your time in the library. I trust you'll find something… interesting."

Left alone among the shelves, I carefully browsed the books. Each one told a story or held ancient knowledge, but something suddenly caught my eye.

On one of the upper shelves was a dusty book with a strange title: "The Forbidden Power."

I reached out and pulled the book down, feeling as if something inside was whispering my name. I opened it slowly. Its old pages were handwritten with intricate script and carried an eerie energy, as if they pulsed with life.

As I turned the pages, my eyes fell on a strange illustration of a moon surrounded by interlocking stars. Below the image was a line:

"The forbidden power is both a curse and a blessing, and it chooses only the one who is worthy."

My heartbeat quickened. Was this body I inhabited tied to that power? Could this be the secret of Seraphina?

I placed my hand on the book and took a deep breath. I knew I was about to uncover something that might change everything.

While I was immersed in reading the mysterious book "The Forbidden Power," I felt an odd presence behind me—like the air in the library had become colder and heavier. I lifted my eyes from the pages carefully, and something moved...

At the entrance of the library stood a tall young man, his hair as black as the night, shimmering as though studded with stars. His crimson eyes glowed under the dim light like burning embers, carrying a coldness that pierced the soul. He wore a long black coat adorned with silver patterns, a reflection of his noble status.

"May I ask, what are you doing here, my lady?" he said in a deep, calm voice, though his tone held something difficult to decipher — a blend of curiosity and faint disdain.

I stammered slightly before replying, "I was looking for a book... and you, who are you?"

He stepped closer with confident strides, the sound of his boots echoing softly through the library. Then, he gave a slight bow, his gesture seemingly calculated to show a false sense of respect.

"Forgive my rudeness. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Demetrius Ravenskhar, Duke of House Ravenskhar, and... one of your potential suitors, Lady Seraphina."

I froze in place, holding my breath for a moment. It wasn't just his appearance that was intimidating, but the way he spoke — every word carefully chosen to keep me on edge.

"Marriage?" I whispered in surprise, unable to stop my cheeks from flushing red.

He gave a faint smile that didn't reach his crimson eyes, which remained fixed on me with piercing intensity, as if trying to read my mind. "Yes. Haven't you heard? We are of the Five Houses. Your fate… or rather, the fate of the sacred power you possess, is to be bound to one of us."

I wanted to respond, but my tongue was tied, especially as he came even closer, just a few steps away.

"But you seem surprised. Did you think the Marquis Valen was the only one watching you?"

Confused, I stepped back until I bumped into the shelves. He chuckled softly, though the sound lacked any warmth. "Don't worry. I'm not here to frighten you… at least, not tonight."

He glanced at the book in my hands and asked quietly, "'The Forbidden Power'? Interesting choice. Do you believe it could help you?"

I raised my head bravely and asked, "Why do you care what I'm reading?"

He stepped even closer, and I could feel the chill of his breath as he whispered, "Because I want to know whether you truly deserve that power… and whether you're worthy of becoming the Duchess of Ravenskhar."

His voice was like a promise soaked in mystery. Before he left, he suddenly turned as if remembering something and added with a cryptic smile, "Ah, by the way, I liked how flustered you looked when you saw me. It was… adorable."

He left the library with quiet steps, but his presence lingered like a cold shadow. I stood there, breathing heavily, my eyes still fixed on the door he exited through.

Who is this man really? And why do I feel like this won't be the last time we meet?

Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through my head. I clutched my forehead, and then the images before me collapsed, as if a hidden door had suddenly opened.

I found myself in a place both familiar and strange. A small girl in a bright white dress sat alone in a garden filled with glowing flowers. That girl... was me, and yet not me.

I heard the voice of a woman, her tone like a lullaby:

"You must remember, Seraphina. You are not like the others. Your power is not only a blessing, but a curse. This power will make everyone desire to claim you, but..."

Another girl interrupted her — petite in stature, dressed like a priestess:

"If you do not become the bride of one of the Five Great Houses, that power will spiral out of control, and you will be a danger to the entire empire!"

I trembled within the memory, as if the words carried more weight than I could bear. Why must I marry? Why me?

I returned to reality, my breath quick and hands trembling. I now realized that my life was not mere chance or fate.

"The sacred power..." I murmured softly.

I didn't have long to think. Suddenly, a flash of light filled the room, and I was surrounded by a radiant glow. Heat surged through me, as though something within was fighting to break free.

The windows began to shake, books flying from the shelves. I was frozen, yet burning with energy. I looked at my hands and saw a brilliant white light shining from them, as if the stars themselves had gathered inside me.

"Seraphina!" came Charles' voice, approaching quickly, but I couldn't respond. All I felt was the overwhelming urge to explode.

Then suddenly, Valen appeared. He stood before me, his silver eyes glowing with sharp intensity and awe.

"You..." he muttered, as if discovering a great secret.

He extended his hand toward me, trying to contain the energy surging from within.

"Focus, Seraphina! Don't let it control you!"

With his words, something inside me calmed. The wild energy settled, retreating deep within me.

I collapsed to the ground, my breathing ragged and eyes brimming with exhaustion. Charles and Valen looked at me with faces mixed with concern and disbelief.

"You didn't tell us you possessed this power," Charles said angrily.

"I didn't know..." I whispered, my gaze fixed on the floor.

Valen looked more serious than ever. "The power you hold is no ordinary force, Seraphina. If the temple calls it sacred, it must be for a reason. But I believe… they fear it more than they revere it."

---

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