crucifyheaven

The Cursed Empress

In a kingdom where fate is dictated by prophecy, Empress Seraphina Vale was destined for greatness—until the night of her coronation, when a forgotten curse awakened, branding her as the harbinger of destruction. Betrayed by her own court and cast into exile, she vanished from history… but the kingdom did not escape its fate.

Seven years later, an empire on the brink of ruin sends its most feared knight, General Kael Raventhorn, to hunt down the exiled empress. But when he finds her, she is no longer the helpless ruler they once cast aside—she is a force of nature, her once-golden heart hardened by betrayal.

Now, war looms, old enemies rise, and a forbidden truth unravels—Seraphina was never the cursed one. She was the key to breaking the true curse that binds the empire. And the only person she can trust is the man sent to bring her back in chains.

Will she reclaim her throne, or will love prove to be the deadliest betrayal of all?

The Cursed Empress

Chapter 21: Shadows in the Court

The corridors of the palace stretched endlessly in eerie silence, the only sound being the soft echo of Seraphina's heels against the polished marble floor. A storm of thoughts brewed in her mind, each one sharper than the last.

A name that had once been whispered with respect, now soon to be spoken only in fear.

Ronan walked beside her, his expression unreadable. "What do you plan to do?"

Seraphina's fingers traced the edges of the letter as she moved, feeling the weight of betrayal in every word written.

"I plan to watch him drown in his own web before I decide how he should die," she murmured.

Seraphina tilted her head. "Necessary."

She stopped at the entrance of her private chamber, turning to him. "Send word to Lady Evelyne. I want her to track everyone the Duke has spoken to in the past month. Servants, guards, courtiers—no one is to be overlooked."

Ronan nodded and disappeared into the shadows, leaving Seraphina alone with the weight of treachery pressing against her ribs.

Marcellus was smart, but he was not smarter than her.

She had suspected his disloyalty for months. He had always been too careful, too composed. But arrogance made men foolish. And now, with Eldoria's message, she had proof.

She sat by the ornate desk in her chamber, unfurling the parchment again, rereading each line.

'The Empress grows reckless. Her rule is one of fire and shadow, and if she is allowed to continue, she will burn everything to the ground. The people fear her, and soon, they will turn against her. But they need a leader.

I will be that leader.

Her grip tightened on the parchment.

A laugh, cold and humorless, slipped past her lips. He thought he could replace her?

A knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts.

The door creaked open, revealing Lady Evelyne—her most trusted informant. She wore her usual dark cloak, her expression sharp and knowing.

"My Empress," Evelyne greeted with a bow. "I bring news."

Seraphina leaned forward. "Speak."

Evelyne stepped closer, lowering her voice. "Duke Marcellus is planning a gathering at his estate three nights from now. He has invited several nobles—ones who have always remained on the fence about your rule."

Seraphina's eyes darkened. "A gathering?"

"A meeting of conspirators, more likely. He thinks you're blind to his schemes, Your Majesty. He believes he still has control." Evelyne's lips curled into a smirk. "Shall I have my spies in place?"

Seraphina tapped her fingers against the desk, considering.

Evelyne's brow lifted in surprise.

Seraphina rose to her feet, the flickering candlelight casting long shadows behind her.

"I will attend this gathering myself."

Evelyne blinked, then let out a low chuckle. "You are truly terrifying, Your Majesty."

Seraphina's smirk was sharp as a blade.

"Let them plot in the shadows," she said. "I will be the darkness that devours them."