The sun was already high up in the sky when Sera woke up. The sunlight streamed through the window, casting golden rays across her room, while the slight breeze made the delicate curtains flutter as it blew.
A young maid was silently cleaning her quarters, her actions swift but accurate as if it wasn't the first time she had done it. She must have been used to seeing Anna oversleep and not being up before sunrise.
Sera sat up, and it was only then that the maid rushed to her side, looking nervous and concerned at the same time.
"Miss, you are awake. The master and Sir Rowan had been waiting for you." The maid named Charlotte informed Sera.
Sera yawned behind her hand and blinked her sleepiness away. Charlotte was a maid Anna personally hired to tend to her. Sera glanced at Charlotte, wondering if the corrupted system would want to send the maid away. After all, this girl was closely related to Anna and had actively helped her to avoid the red flags during her brief reign.
"Did they mention why they are summoning me?" she asked as she ran her fingers through her thick, dark locks while fighting an urge to yawn again.
"The master has informed me that Lord Cedrick will be arriving shortly and has requested your presence," Charlotte answered immediately. "Would you prefer I prepare your bath first, or shall I serve you something to eat?"
Sera considered her options, as both were quite tempting. She wasn't able to have a good soak last night and passed out from exhaustion. In the end, she chose to have a bath and let her father and Rowan wait a little longer.
Sera took her sweet time, soaking in the warm water before having a feast for the first time in ages. She allowed herself to relax, knowing what was waiting for her later. It had been so long since she had indulged in such luxury. Even from her past life, it was rare for her to have a moment of her own, without distractions or enemies annoying her endlessly.
It was already late in the afternoon when she decided to pay her father a visit at his private office. She opened the door unannounced, but the men waiting for her didn't seem surprised to see her arrival.
Duke Lysander gave her a good look before nodding. He was pleased to see that she wasn't negatively affected by the recent events.
"It's good that you are here, Sera. I want to discuss something with you." He said, before glancing at Rowan.
Sera arched a slender brow. She could tell by his tone that her father was hesitating. He had a conflicted look whenever he hesitated to tell her something. She supposed it was about Cedrick. Perhaps he had some reservations about keeping that wretched man in their family.
"Is this about Cedrick?" she asked. "I do not care whether you spare him or keep him to the family. My decision remains the same, Father." She added sternly.
Duke Lysander shook his head.
"No, that's not about him. It's just that I…"
However, even before the duke could tell Sera what he wanted to say, the door burst open for the second time. A distressed man came rushing in, and Sera recognized him as one of her father's henchmen.
"My lord, the old master and Lord Alec have arrived." He informed the duke without the customary greetings; his tone had a hint of urgency.
The atmosphere within the room immediately tensed. The duke furrowed his brows, not expecting that his father and nephew would come without prior notice. It was rare for his father to make an unannounced visit, but he supposed it could not be avoided if the news of Sera's imprisonment had reached the old man.
Sera remained calm, while Rowan awaited the duke's order.
"Come, Sera. We must welcome your grandfather and cousin. They must have come here to see how you are faring." The duke said after a moment of silence.
Sera sighed inwardly. She wanted to complete the formalities so she could explore the estate and find the underground spring. She needed to prepare before the church and the Argenthal family decided to retaliate against her and the entire de Lys family.
She accepted the hand her father offered to her and accompanied him to the sitting room, where her grandfather and cousin were waiting. As soon as they stepped into the room, their guests rose from their seats.
"Father, what brings you here today?" Duke Lysander asked, although he already had a gist of the idea, why they came without notice.
Sera's grandfather stared at her for a moment and released a sigh.
"What else, but to see how Sera is faring. How could you leave her unguarded, Lysander?"
Guild flashed on the duke's face as he couldn't deny what his father had just said.
Sera's grandfather, the previous duke, was a man of great stature. He was known for his wisdom and keen sense of justice. Even if he had retired from political affairs a long time ago, he was still respected by his peers and the common folk. His hair had turned white with age, but his eyes retained the sharpness he had during his younger years.
Sera and her father took a seat across from their guests and regarded her grandfather.
"As you can see, dear grandfather, I am very much alive and well."
Her grandfather frowned, while Alec, a young man in his twenties, objected. He was a young lord with youthful energy and a hint of stubbornness from what Sera could remember. He had the trademark appearance that the de Lys family members had. Thick dark eyes and sharp features. Despite his noble upbringing, Alec had a rebellious streak that he shared with Sera.
"How could you possibly say that, Sera?! I've heard what you've been through under Prince Adrian. I told you getting involved with him was a bad idea."
"The Argenthals are getting bolder these days. Perhaps they think Prince Adrian's ascension to the throne is inevitable. We must remind them why our family has served the royal family for generations." Sera's grandfather commented.
The Argenthal family was ambitious and had been running illegal businesses and trades, knowing they had the queen's backing. With Prince Adrian one step to the coronation as the next king, it seemed they were desperate to remove all obstacles in their way, including the de Lys family. Their ambition knew no bounds, and they had grown brazen in their dealings, believing that the queen and Prince Adrian were enough to shield them from the repercussions of their actions.
"Shouln't we take Sera away while we have a chance?" Alec suggested, "We all know they were the ones behind the saintess's poisoning. They are probably covering their tracks now as we speak."
"You want me to flee like a coward? I appreciate your concern, Alec, but I would sooner face death than allow myself to be labeled a coward." Sera said with a stern expression on her face.
"I trust that Master Meridan would clear Sera's name anytime soon," The duke interjected," Sera is right. Fleeing now could make things difficult for her."
Alec rubbed his temple as he found the situation frustrating. What even more infuriating was that Cedrick chose to betray Sera than to save her. If he were in that situation, he would do everything in his power not to let anyone take away Sera.