The morning sun crept across the sky in soft, golden hues, casting warmth over the palace that hadn't been felt in weeks. A gentle breeze stirred the curtains of Seraphina's chambers, but inside, the atmosphere was electric with purpose.
Her maid, maelis, practically floated as she adjusted Seraphina's sleeves. "You look like the sun itself, my lady," she beamed, eyes shimmering with pride. "The entire palace is already preparing for the Empress coronation. Everyone's talking. Even the kitchens are baking moon-petal tarts in your honor."
Seraphina glanced at her reflection — elegant, poised, but her eyes still held the ghosts of Mason's last whisper. Still, she managed a smile.
"I hope they're not burning the palace down in excitement," Arabella teased from the doorway, arms crossed and smug.
Later That Day – The Gathering of Noble Ladies
The golden chamber was lit with soft lanterns as a stream of noblewomen filed in—dressed in silks, their smiles too polished to be genuine. At the head of them stood Lady Qin, tall and sharp-eyed, once a confidante of Concubine Sun.
They bowed low, offering ornate gifts.
"Your Grace," Lady Qin said, voice syrupy sweet, "the palace rejoices in your rise… though some say it came with rather unusual timing."
The jab wasn't missed.
Seraphina's smile didn't waver. "Unusual things happen when the heavens favor someone."
Lady Qin tilted her head. "Of course, of course. Though I wonder… might the heavens have confused your identity? There were whispers you were but a mere princess once—without even a royal rich mother."
Silence followed.
Mira clenched her fists. Arabella was already halfway to drawing her blade.
But Seraphina only reached into a scroll case and pulled out a sealed document.
She unrolled it slowly, letting every noble eye see the glowing golden script — the Emperor's personal decree from years ago, naming her heir to the Empress title before she had even entered the palace.
"And this," Seraphina said softly, "is my lineage—written in the Royal Registry, sealed by the late Grand Historian. My mother was the leader of the Western Borders.
Gasps.
One of the ladies dropped her fan in shock.
Lady Qin's face turned ashen.
Seraphina stepped forward. "You may question my beauty, my timing, even my decisions. But if you dare question the will of the Emperor again… I will not need to lift a hand. The royal guards will."
Lady Qin dropped to her knees.
"I beg forgiveness," she choked.
The others quickly followed, stammering apologies and switching their loyalty like rats jumping ships.
Arabella smirked. "I almost feel bad for them."
"Don't," Mira muttered. "They're only sorry they failed."
---
Outside the Chambers – A Second Slap
In the hallway, Mira heard laughter — cruel, high-pitched.
Two concubines stood gossiping.
"I still think Arabella isn't really the lost sister. Probably some desperate impostor Seraphina found to look more powerful—"
They never finished.
Mira walked straight up and smashed the tea tray into one of their faces.
Hot tea splashed, porcelain cracked.
"You think fire burns?" Mira whispered, eyes blazing. "I burn hotter. Next time you speak about my friend, make sure it's from a distance."
The concubines fled, robes soaked and pride destroyed.
---
That Night – Hidden Shadows
Far from the light of the palace, deep beneath the mountain fortress where traitors once slept…
A man knelt in shadow before a flickering altar. A sword lay beside him. A red banner—torn and bloodied—hung behind him.
General Yun.
Mason's former commanding officer. And Concubine Sun's brother.
He stared at a cracked mirror, whispering, "The wolf has returned from the ashes. Arabella…"
He reached into his armor and pulled out a small vial glowing faintly.
"If the Empress is untouchable, then I'll bleed her where it hurts."
---
Final Scene – The Calm Before the Storm
Arabella sat under the moonlight, brushing her hair in the garden. Fireflies danced around her. The palace, for once, felt safe.
Seraphina stood in her coronation robes, watching from the shadows with a frown.
"Don't ever change, sister," she whispered.
But from far away, deep in the forest beyond the walls, a red flare rose into the sky.
The enemy was watching.
And they were not done.
Seraphina couldn't breathe.
She clutched her abdomen, pain blooming like wildfire beneath her ribs. It wasn't sharp — it was cold, strange… almost numbing.
She sat in her bath, staring at her reflection in the still water. Her cheeks were pale, her lips slightly discolored. Maelis was humming beside her, gently pouring rose-scented water down her back.
But Seraphina felt none of it.
Just an ache.
And something else… something wrong.
---
Scene Shift: Empress's Inner Chambers – Midnight
Arabella barged in, dragging a physician behind her.
"She's burning up," Mira said, helping Seraphina onto the bed.
The physician opened his kit and pressed his fingers to her pulse.
Moments passed.
Then — a furrowed brow.
Then — panic.
He reached into his pouch and pulled out a silver leaf, placing it beneath Seraphina's tongue. When he withdrew it, it was stained black.
Mira gasped. "That's… anti-fertility powder. Blackthorn root mixed with soul-sapping salt."
Arabella's fists clenched. "Who would dare…!"
The physician bowed low. "Someone has been dosing Her Majesty gradually. Likely through wine or desserts. The poison isn't meant to kill — only to ensure she never carries the Emperor's child."
The room froze.
Maelis fell to her knees. "No… no, this can't be. I tasted everything! I tasted—" Her voice caught. Her eyes widened.
"The red lotus jelly…"
Seraphina looked at her slowly. "What about it?"
"It's only made during special palace banquets… and served to one person at a time. You ate it after the coronation."
Arabella's eyes narrowed. "Who prepared it?"
Maelis trembled. "The same person who offered to help me with it that morning. One of Concubine Sun's maids."
The air cracked like thunder.
Seraphina sat up, heart pounding.
So it wasn't just ambition.
It wasn't just jealousy.
They were trying to erase her future from the inside out.
She was Empress — but a childless one.
---
Scene Shift: Palace Court – The Next Morning
Concubine Sun knelt beneath the carved pillars, hands folded delicately, fake humility painted across her face.
She didn't expect Seraphina to appear.
But appear she did — in full imperial robes, eyes glinting like fire on ice.
"Concubine Sun," Seraphina said, voice calm. "Tell me… have you ever carried a child before?"
Sun blinked. "No, Your Majesty."
"Then you would not understand what it means to have that taken from you."
Arabella stepped forward, holding a tray.
On it — the jelly.
The same jelly served to Seraphina.
And the poison vial Mira had distilled from her blood.
Mira's voice echoed across the court. "Your maid confessed this morning. Said you told her, 'Even an Empress without an heir is just a pretty name.'"
Gasps. Whispers. Even the Emperor's guards shifted uncomfortably.
Concubine Sun paled. "Lies. You cannot prove—"
"We don't need to," Seraphina said coldly.
She stepped closer.
"You aimed for my womb, Sun. But missed my heart."
Arabella drew her sword and sliced off Concubine Sun's hairpin — a symbol of her rank — letting it fall with a metallic clink.
"You will keep your title," Seraphina said. "But you will be silenced. No more visits to the Emperor. No more letters to your brother. You will be watched. And if I so much as hear your footsteps too loudly…"
She leaned in, voice like death.
"I'll bury your voice so deep no one will remember it ever sang."
---
Scene Shift: Seraphina's Chambers – Later
Seraphina sat alone at the window, cradling a steaming cup of bitter medicine.
Arabella stood beside her. "You should rest."
Seraphina's eyes never left the horizon.
"I was crowned … and already they're trying to erase me."
Arabella said nothing.
Seraphina whispered, "But they forgot who I am."
She set the cup down.
"I'm not just the Empress. I am the war they'll wish they never started."