Chapter 3

The days following the confrontation in the archives passed in a blur of unease and growing suspicion. Seraphina couldn't shake the feeling that Aldric was watching her, his presence a constant reminder of the marriage she had been forced into. Every conversation, every glance, seemed laced with hidden meanings, like a web of lies she was struggling to untangle.

But there was one thing she couldn't deny—the tension between her and Elias had shifted. The unspoken understanding they had shared for years now felt more like a silent, dangerous bond. He had always been her protector, but now, he was something else—someone whose actions were filled with secrecy and warning.

Seraphina found herself drifting into the palace gardens more often, the solitude offering a brief escape from the suffocating walls of her royal life. It was there, amidst the scent of roses and jasmine, that she found clarity. The moonlight bathed the flowers in silver, casting long shadows across the stone paths, and for the first time in days, Seraphina felt a sense of peace.

But it was fleeting.

She had not expected to see Elias waiting for her, standing at the edge of the garden, his expression guarded. His usual confidence was replaced by something more vulnerable, something that made her heart race. There was something unspoken between them now—something they could no longer ignore.

"Princess," he greeted her, his voice rougher than usual. "You shouldn't be out here alone at night. It's dangerous."

"Why?" she asked, her voice laced with curiosity. "Is it because of Aldric? Or is there something else you're not telling me?"

Elias stiffened at the mention of Aldric's name, his gaze darkening. "I don't want you getting involved in things you don't understand. There are forces at play here, Seraphina, things you aren't prepared for."

Her pulse quickened. "What do you mean?"

He stepped closer, his gaze flickering nervously. "I've told you before—the people around you are not who they claim to be. Lord Aldric is not the only one with secrets."

Seraphina's mind raced. "And you? Do you have secrets too, Elias?"

He didn't respond immediately. Instead, his gaze drifted to the shadows, his jaw tightening as if battling with some internal struggle. "There are things about me that you don't know. Things that might put both of us in danger."

"Why won't you tell me?" she pressed, her voice rising with frustration. "Why is everything shrouded in mystery? Why can't you just trust me?"

His eyes met hers, and for the first time, she saw something raw in his expression—something that made her breath hitch. It was regret. And perhaps, something else—a longing.

"I trust you more than you know," Elias whispered, his voice barely audible against the rustling of the trees. "But the truth... the truth is dangerous. I can't risk you getting too close."

Seraphina felt a knot form in her chest. She wanted to reach out, to bridge the distance between them, but something held her back. The secrecy, the fear—it was all too much. And yet, she couldn't shake the feeling that Elias held the key to unraveling everything—the truth about Aldric, about the kingdom, about the role she was meant to play in it all.

"Then tell me," she whispered urgently. "Tell me what you know, and I'll decide what to do with it."

Elias looked at her for a long moment, as if weighing his options. Then, with a deep sigh, he stepped back, his shoulders tense.

"I can't, Seraphina. Not yet. But soon. I promise. Until then, you must be careful. Trust no one. Not even me."

Before she could respond, Elias turned and disappeared into the night, leaving her alone with her racing thoughts.

The truth was within reach, but it was still hidden behind layers of lies and half-truths. And the more Seraphina tried to peel those layers back, the more she realized that there was far more at stake than just her marriage to Aldric. The fate of the kingdom, her own future, and perhaps even the very power that coursed through Velandria's royal bloodline—all of it seemed intertwined with the secrets she was desperately trying to uncover.

The next morning, Seraphina was summoned to the throne room for a meeting with her father, King Alden. As she walked through the grand halls, the weight of her father's expectations pressed down on her shoulders. She had always been his dutiful daughter, obedient to the path he had set for her. But now, that path felt like a cage, one she was growing increasingly desperate to escape.

When she entered the throne room, King Alden was seated on his throne, his regal presence filling the space. Lord Aldric stood by his side, his sharp features set in a smile that didn't reach his eyes.

"Ah, Seraphina," her father said with a warm smile, though it was devoid of affection. "Come, sit. We have much to discuss."

Seraphina took a seat, her gaze flickering to Aldric before settling on her father. There was something about the way the two men stood together that made her skin crawl. They were a perfect pair—both calculating, both driven by ambition. And both, it seemed, had their sights set on her future.

"I trust you've been enjoying the festivities?" King Alden asked, his tone casual, though there was a sharpness to it.

"The celebrations were… fine, Father," Seraphina replied, forcing a smile. "Though I find it hard to fully enjoy them."

Her father raised an eyebrow. "Why is that?"

She hesitated before answering. "I fear there are things being hidden from me. Things I should know before I—before I agree to this marriage."

King Alden's smile faltered, and for a moment, Seraphina saw something like frustration flicker in his eyes. "You are not to question your betrothal, Seraphina. It is a matter of state. The alliance between House Dunmere and Velandria is essential for the kingdom's stability."

"And yet, I feel as though I'm being used as a pawn in a game I don't understand," she said, her voice trembling slightly with the weight of her words.

Aldric's expression turned cold, and he stepped forward, his gaze sharp. "Your feelings do not matter, Princess. You will marry me, and in doing so, you will secure your family's legacy."

Seraphina's heart skipped a beat, and for the first time, she understood the true weight of Aldric's words. This marriage wasn't just about political alliances. It was about control. Power. And it had nothing to do with love.

But she would not be controlled.

Not anymore.

As the meeting came to an end, Seraphina stood, her resolve hardening. The kingdom was on the edge of something far more dangerous than she had realized. And she, whether she wanted to or not, was at the center of it all.