I woke up again from the same ending. I saw the sky through the window. It was the same bed, the same window, the same room.
This time I clenched my fist until it went white. I decided then — wait, Prince of War. This time, you will fall for me.
I did not have feelings for him. I hated him. I hated how calm he looked when he killed me.
But I would make him love me. And when he loved me, I would do the same to him. I would drive my blade into his heart, again and again, until there was nothing left of him.
A soft knock came at the door. "Princess?" the maid called.
Her voice was careful, like she was always careful around me now. Maybe because of the eyes. Maybe because she guessed things I didn't say.
"Breakfast, Your Highness," she added.
I pulled the blanket over my knees for a moment and breathed. My hands were shaking, but I told myself it was from sleep.
The plan I made pressed down on my chest, like someone had put a heavy stone on me and left it there.
"Come in," I said. My voice came out cold, without a hint of warmth.
The maid pushed the door open and stepped inside.
She was plain and quick, the kind of woman who knew how to disappear once her work was done.
She set the tray down on the small table by the window — roasted pheasant, honeyed bread, cheese, and a goblet of spiced wine. The smell of butter and herbs filled the room.
She looked at me. Her eyes flicked to my hands. "You look pale, Your Highness," she said.
Her voice was small, almost careful, like she was afraid to disturb me. She didn't know anything, none of them did. To her, I was just the princess waking late again.
I didn't answer her. I just stared back, my face empty, until she lowered her eyes.
She placed a sealed note on the tray before she left. Her fingers trembled for a second. I watched her go, the hem of her dress disappearing into the corridor.
I broke the seal. The paper smelled faintly of ink. My father's crest was at the top. My heart pushed, stupid and loud.
The message was short. Come to the Hall of Quiet.
Not a formal hall. Not a parade room. The place my father used when he wanted to speak alone.
The place that held his low voice. The place where my father spoke only when it was a private meeting. A meeting where only two people sat across from each other.
Aurelius Valtheris. King of Valtheris. My father.
He had the tired look nowadays. It came from the burden of battles. Recently, he fought many times against monsters. They were more active these days, crawling at the borders and breaking into villages.
A king should not have to go himself, but he still went. He swung his own staff, cast his own spells, and stood in the mud beside soldiers. He cared too much about the people of this kingdom.
To me, he was the wall of Valtheris. As long as he stood, the kingdom stood.
Why did he want me now?
What did he want to discuss?
The thought ran in circles.
I ate the roasted pheasant slowly, chewing without taste.
The honeyed bread was soft, the wine warm, but none of it mattered. Food had no meaning anymore. I only needed the strength in my body.
I dressed while thinking. Not the silk gown — not today. I put on a simple dress, the kind that let you move without sound.
I needed to be ready to be anyone — a maid, a servant, a princess, a commoner — whatever I had to be, I would.
I opened the drawer and picked up the dagger. I slid it under my dress and tied it against my leg, hidden in the cloth. It had become a habit now, like breathing. I never moved without a blade close to me.
I imagined it so many times — the moment when he would be near, when his chest was close to mine. I saw myself driving the dagger straight into his heart.
When I stepped into the corridor, servents bowed without looking up.
I reached the Hall of Quiet and pushed the door open.
My father was there. My mother was beside him.
Elira Valtheris. Queen of Valtheris. My mother.
Both of them looked at me. In their eyes I saw concern, and maybe even sadness.
Even if I didn't feel emotions anymore, my heart still felt a small warmth when I saw them alive.
I had seen them die many times, but still they loved me, and I loved them. I couldn't stand the sadness or pain in their eyes.
Without even thinking, my face stayed cold, like it always did.
I closed the door behind me and walked forward. My father signaled for me to sit on the chair.
They both sat on the other side of the table, close to each other.
My father spoke first. His voice was low, heavy.
"Seraphina… a proposal came. From Dravon."
As my father spoke the word Dravon, the air turned cold.
Now I understood why their eyes didn't only hold sadness, but fear. And concern for me.
Dravon. A kingdom larger and richer than ours. A kingdom built on war and greed.
"Their prince, Mordred Dravon, has asked for your hand," my mother added. Her tone was soft, but her eyes showed the weight behind it.
I stayed quiet. My father went on.
"He is ruthless. Cruel. He already has two wives. You will never be the first wife. You will be taken only as a concubine. Nothing more."
His voice grew harsher. "Do you know what that means, Seraphina? You will be treated no better than a servant in his palace. That is the kind of man Mordred is. Filthy. Greedy."
I could feel the disgust in my father's voice, and the anger burning in it. I knew how much he hated the idea of this marriage.
My mother's hand touched my father's, gripping it tight. Her voice trembled when she spoke.
"Seraphina… we cannot refuse. Dravon's army outnumbers ours. Their power is greater than Valtheris. If we say no, it will bring war to our people. And I cannot let you carry that burden."
I looked at her. In that moment, it was not the Queen of Valtheris speaking to me. It was my mother. Worried. Afraid. Holding back tears.
I listened to them both, my father's anger, my mother's fear.
I was shocked for a moment, my eyes went wide in bewilderment. Not because of the political marriage proposal, but because this had never happened in my previous lives.
This was new.