The carriage rattled softly over the cobblestone streets as it carried Seraphina back from the palace. Though her posture remained impeccable, her hands rested lightly in her lap, fingers curled against the folds of her gown. Inside, her mind was alive with the aftermath of that encounter. Lucien's arrogance, Kael's deliberate provocation—both had revealed more than they intended. For once, Seraphina was no longer a spectator of her own downfall. She was the blade hidden in plain sight.
Her maid, seated across from her, glanced up timidly. "My lady, is it true what they say? That the enemy prince has… shown interest?"
Seraphina's violet gaze flicked toward her, unreadable. "Do not concern yourself with gossip. Rumors spread faster than wildfire in Avalora, and most burn themselves out before the truth can catch them."
But inside, she acknowledged the truth. Kael's declaration had not been idle. Mine. He had spoken it like a claim, daring Lucien to challenge him. Yet Seraphina understood men like Kael; nothing he did was without purpose. Was she merely a pawn in his larger game, or had something in her defiance sparked his interest? Either way, she would not let herself be swept along blindly again.
When the carriage halted before the Valmoré estate, Seraphina descended with her usual grace. The air smelled of roses and autumn earth, but there was tension laced in the quiet. Waiting at the grand steps was Evelyne, flanked by two ladies of the court who giggled behind lace fans. Evelyne's smile was radiant, but her eyes glittered with spite.
"Sister," she sang sweetly, gliding forward in her pastel gown. "The entire court hums with your name. How quickly you've risen from disgrace—though I wonder if aligning yourself with Avalora's greatest enemy is truly wise."
Seraphina brushed past her, unbothered. "Worry less about my choices, Evelyne, and more about your own."
The stepsister's mask cracked briefly, the sweetness curdling into venom. But Evelyne recovered quickly, turning to her companions with a laugh. "She does so love her dramatics. No wonder the prince tires of her."
The ladies tittered, but their eyes lingered on Seraphina with curiosity and unease. They, too, had heard Kael's words. They, too, wondered what they meant. Seraphina let their whispers trail behind her as she entered the estate. Every rumor Evelyne spread would only serve her now; each thread of gossip wove tighter knots in Avalora's web, and Seraphina intended to pull until it strangled her enemies.
Later that evening, she retired to her private chambers, dismissing her maid with a soft word. Alone, she lit a single candle and spread a map across her desk. Avalora's borders gleamed in ink, its neighbor Drakoria shaded in darker strokes. War had been their reality for generations, each kingdom feeding its people with tales of the other's cruelty. And here she was—caught between them, despised by one and claimed by the other.
But she was no one's pawn. She traced her fingers along the borderlines, remembering Kael's storm-gray eyes. He had seen something in her. Perhaps potential. Perhaps danger. She would use it either way.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock at the door. Not her maid—this was heavier, deliberate. "Enter," she called.
The door creaked open, revealing a shadowed figure. Her breath caught before recognition steadied her. Kael Drakoria stepped into her chamber as though he owned it, his black cloak brushing against the marble floor.
"Your Highness," she said evenly, though her heart drummed once, hard. "Is Avalora's palace not enough for you? Must you now invade my home as well?"
Kael's lips quirked into something that might have been amusement. "Your tongue is sharp. Good. You'll need it."
She stood, spine straight, refusing to yield ground. "You are bold to trespass here. If my family discovers—"
"Your family," Kael cut in, his voice low and edged with disdain, "is the least of your concerns. Avalora is a nest of vipers, and you stand at the center. Do you truly believe they will allow you to rise unchecked?"
Her violet eyes narrowed. "And you would position yourself as my savior?"
He stepped closer, the candlelight catching on the hard lines of his face. "Not savior. Ally. For now."
The silence stretched between them, tense and charged. Seraphina studied him carefully, searching for the man behind the mask of power. His gaze never wavered, storm-gray and relentless. He was dangerous, yes—but danger could be wielded.
"And what do you gain from such an alliance?" she asked finally.
Kael's mouth curved faintly. "Leverage. Influence. Perhaps… entertainment. Avalora's golden prince clings to your stepsister, yet it is you who unsettles the court. Tell me, Seraphina, do you not relish the chance to turn their fear into a weapon?"
A shiver ran through her, not of fear but recognition. He saw her truth—her hunger for justice, her refusal to bow again. Slowly, deliberately, she allowed a smile to touch her lips. "Perhaps I do."
He inclined his head, a silent acknowledgment. "Then we understand one another."
Before she could reply, a commotion stirred beyond the door—footsteps, hurried voices. Evelyne's shrill tone cut through the hall. "Seraphina? Are you awake?"
Kael's expression sharpened. Without another word, he moved with silent precision, stepping into the shadows near the balcony. Seraphina doused the candle just as Evelyne pushed the door open, carrying a lamp.
"There you are," Evelyne said, her eyes scanning the room with suspicion. "Why is it so dark? Were you not alone?"
Seraphina's heart raced, but her face remained calm. "You must be hearing ghosts, sister. Not everyone is haunted as you are."
Evelyne faltered, her lamp casting long shadows across the room. "Hmph. Be careful, Seraphina. Father worries that your behavior at court will endanger us all. Do not drag the Valmoré name into ruin."
"I am the only reason it still has dignity," Seraphina replied softly, her words sharp enough to draw blood.
Evelyne's eyes narrowed, but she said nothing more. With a final huff, she swept out, slamming the door behind her.
From the shadows, Kael emerged once more, his smirk faint but unmistakable. "Impressive. You lie as easily as you breathe."
Seraphina met his gaze, refusing to flinch. "Sometimes lies are the only truths Avalora deserves."
Kael regarded her in silence for a long moment, then inclined his head. "Remember this night, Seraphina. The game has only begun. And when the time comes, you must choose which kingdom you will betray—Avalora or Drakoria."
With that, he slipped out into the night, leaving only the echo of his words behind.
Seraphina stood alone in the darkened chamber, her pulse still steady despite the storm he left in his wake. Her lips curved into the faintest of smiles. "No," she whispered to herself. "I will not betray either. I will make them both kneel."