They pushed my head down hard against the cold stone. My knees hurt so much they screamed, and the rope around my wrists cut in deep enough that my fingers went numb, I could not feel them anymore.
A voice from the crowd yelled my name, Lady Seraphina Vale, like this was all some kind of show for them.
The judge spoke next, his voice echoing across the square.
I looked up anyway, even though I should not have. If I kept my head down, they might think I accepted it, that I agreed with all this.
Adrian was up there on the platform, standing in white robes that made him look like some saint or something. He was my fiancé, the Crown Prince, and he seemed so clean, so relaxed, like he had slept fine the night before.
I could not catch my breath properly, it was all tight in my chest.
Adrian started reading from the decree, By His Majesty and the royal court, Lady Seraphina Vale is guilty of treason.
Treason. The word hung there.
My mouth fell open, but at first nothing came out. Then this laugh escaped, it was ugly, cracked, not like me at all.
Treason, I choked out. You say treason like it is that simple, Adrian, look at me.
He did look, just for a second. No warmth in his eyes, not even anger. Just this bored expression.
You poisoned me, he said, calm and loud, like he had practiced it. You conspired with foreign agents, tried to bring down the crown.
I lunged forward without thinking, but the guard shoved my shoulder, and my face nearly smacked the stone.
I did not, I shouted, I did not poison you, never, the tea was not even.
Silence, the judge cut in sharply.
Adrian raised his hand, like he was being kind. Let her speak, he said, then looked at me again. Go on, lie some more.
The crowd laughed at that.
My throat closed up tight, I swallowed, tasted blood.
I twisted my head around, looking desperately for my father, my mother, anyone who might help. But I saw only noble faces, fans fluttering, smiles, whispers going around.
Not my family. My stomach sank heavy.
They did not come, or maybe they could not, or worse.
No, I told myself, do not go there, do not think it.
Then a shadow shifted next to Adrian, black uniform with the wolf crest, Duke Cassian Nocten.
He was the Emperors executioner, the courts attack dog, the one they sent for problems.
Cassian did not watch the crowd or even Adrian. His eyes fixed on me.
Not bored like Adrians, but flat, professional, like I was already gone, just waiting for the formalities.
Adrian turned to him a bit. Duke Nocten, he said, softer, almost respectful, carry out the sentence.
Those words landed worse than the stone under me. It made everything real.
Cassian moved forward, the sound of his sword sliding out of the sheath jerked my whole body.
No, no, no.
I tried to scramble back, but the rope pulled my arms tight, pain shot through, the guard stomped a boot close to my hip.
I froze, did not want to get crushed.
He stopped right in front of me, looking down.
Last words, he said, casual as asking about rain.
I stared up, lips trembling. I wanted to curse, to spit at him, fight somehow.
But what came out was, Why.
Cassian stayed silent.
Adrian answered instead. Because you were useful until you were not, he said, smiling for the crowd. And you forgot your place.
Useful. It echoed.
My vision blurred, tears or something. I thought of the ring he promised, the letters that came regular, how he held my hand in front of everyone but dropped it when alone.
The tonic the royal physician made me drink last month, I hated that stuff, it left me dizzy, Adrian called me dramatic for complaining.
Servants vanishing from my house, one after another.
Lina crying over letters she could not deliver anymore, they kept getting lost.
Me warning my father, him telling me to quit stirring trouble.
My father, where was he now.
Cassian raised the sword high.
The sky blinded me, too bright, crowd noise swelling.
I tried to say something else, anything to make Adrian react, flinch maybe.
Adrian.
His eyes stayed the same, cold.
The blade came down fast, a flash, then pain, white hot.
My body shook like it was not mine anymore.
No scream, no breath.
Cheek hit stone, world tilted sideways.
Last sound was the crowd cheering, like they had won a prize.
Then nothing, dark.
I woke up choking on air, sitting bolt upright, hands clawing at my throat.
No rope there. No blood.
Fingers pressed skin that felt whole, my neck sore from my own grip, not from a blade.
I froze in place.
Bed curtains around me. My own bed, my room.
That pale wallpaper I always disliked.
I breathed deep, air tasted normal, like morning soap, nothing wrong.
Heart pounded so hard my ribs ached.
I stumbled out, feet on soft warm carpet.
Not the courtyard stone.
Ran to the mirror, my face looked back, alive.
Pale, sweaty, eyes too wide, like I was crazy.
But alive, no mark.
I pushed hair aside, leaned in close, checked my throat for any line, scar.
Nothing at all.
A knock at the door.
Lady Seraphina, Linas voice, are you awake, palace messenger downstairs.
I jumped like slapped.
Palace. Messenger.
Stomach twisted sharp.
Grabbed the calendar off the wall, tore the paper ripping it down.
Looked at the date. Once, twice.
My mind would not take it in at first.
Then it hit, everything went cold inside.
Three months before winter court.
Three months before the poisoning started.
Three months before Adrian smiled down at my execution.
Legs buckled, I sat on the bed edge, weak like an old lady.
Not a dream. This was before, somehow.
Throat tightened again, I pressed my palm there gentle, like it might not stay whole.
Knock louder. My lady, your mother says come down, it is from His Highness.
His Highness. Adrian.
I stared at the door, like it could hurt me.
Lina pushed it open a bit, then more, peeked in worried. My lady, you look, are you ill.
She was alive too, here.
In that other life, she was gone when they arrested me, accused of stealing, thrown out, she came crying once but I could not help, trapped already.
I swallowed, tongue thick. What did the messenger say.
Lina eased up, thought I was just grumpy from sleep. He requests your presence at the palace this afternoon, for engagement preparations. She smiled a little. He sent flowers, they are in the.
Stop, I said sharp.
She froze.
I stood too quick, vision blurred.
Engagement preparations. So not announced official yet, not tied full.
Good, that meant room to move.
I could change things, ruin it maybe.
Hands shook, I hid them behind my back.
Leave, I told her.
My lady.
Leave, close the door.
She hesitated, nodded fast, backed out.
Click, quiet.
I paced small circles, like caged.
Think, had to think.
In that first life, I did everything proper, trusted family, palace, Adrian.
Died on stone with cheers.
So now what.
Confront Adrian, that was one idea. Picture me accusing, him smiling, calling me hysterical, court laughing behind fans.
Then the physician with some calming drink.
No, that would not work.
Run away, option two. But where, as a noble lady, cannot just vanish, they would haul me back, say for safety.
Option three, find someone stronger than the prince.
My mind pushed back but went there anyway.
Duke Cassian Nocten.
The one who swung the sword, no flinch.
Everyone feared him.
I hated him sudden, hot, hands clenched till nails bit skin.
But hate did not help.
Survival did.
If under his protection, Adrian could not do quiet crimes, make it look deserved.
Cassian would make it loud, a fight.
Fights make mess, witnesses.
Stopped pacing, breath rough.
A contract engagement, not love or trust, but a chain I pick, better than Adrians.
Wolf over smiling liar.
Yanked the bell rope.
Lina rushed back, startled. Yes, my lady.
I am going out.
She blinked. Out, but the messenger, your mother will.
Do not care.
She stepped close, voice low. My lady, if you skip, His Highness might get offended.
Good, let him.
I kept voice steady. Get plain cloak, no crest, and money, quiet.
Her eyes went wide. Meeting someone.
Yes.
Who.
Stared at her.
Saying it made it real, hands shook again.
Someone who can keep me alive.
She swallowed hard. My lady, tell your mother.
No.
But.
Cut her off. If you tell, I get dragged, you too. Understand.
Her face paled white.
Nodded quick. Yes, my lady.
Go.
She ran out.
While gone, I pulled open drawer, took small dagger, decorative thing, silly, but better than nothing.
Shoved in boot, smoothed skirt over.
Fingers fumbled bad.
Kept seeing the blade drop, hearing useful.
Lina returned, dark cloak and purse, hands shaking as she gave them.
Carriage, she whispered.
No, walk to market street, hire there.
She looked ready to cry. Please careful.
Did not answer, could not.
Slipped out servants door.
Morning sun hit face.
People buying bread, arguing fruit prices, laughing normal.
It creeped me out, all so everyday.
Walked fast, head down, hood up.
Avoided main road, took side streets, old paths from girl days, skipping lessons.
At market corner, paid for small carriage.
Driver saw cloak, coin, no questions.
Where to, miss.
Mouth dry.
Say it.
Duke Noctens estate.
He stared, like I asked for a tomb.
Sure.
Yes, drive.
Streets shifted, less flowers, bright shops, more guards, stone buildings.
Then the estate loomed, fortress dropped in city.
High black gates, no banners, music, welcome.
Just armed men.
Carriage halted.
Guards crossed halberds quick.
State business.
Stepped down. Lady Seraphina Vale.
Eyes changed, recognition, suspicion.
The Crown Princes, one started.
Not yet, I said.
You do not come here.
Need to speak Duke Nocten.
He laughed actual. No.
Throat burned, hands fisted under cloak.
Stepped closer. Tell him I know palace plot.
Laughter stopped.
Second guard eyed me narrow. Serious claim.
I know.
He looked, turned head. Wait.
Waited outside gatehouse, like nothing.
At least not gone yet.
Minutes dragged, stomach flipped constant.
Gate cracked open finally.
Escorted through.
Courtyard had dummies for training, weapon racks, sand dark stained, like blood not fully cleaned.
Of course it would.
Inside quiet, not calm, but waiting for orders kind of quiet.
Led to study, left alone.
Did not sit, stood middle room, hands tight, looked at wall maps, seals, routes, border forts names.
Built for war, not parties.
Door opened behind.
Turned fast, hood fell back.
Cassian Nocten entered.
Taller than memory, or death made him seem so.
Black uniform, gloves, sword like extension of him.
Eyes hit me, stayed.
Door shut.
No hello, no bow.
Just stare.
Lady Vale, he said. Far from palace invites.
Throat closed trying.
Hated him, body remembered, fear first, then anger.
Forced words. Need protection.
From whom, gaze sharp.
From Crown Prince.
Silence hung.
You his fiancée, he said.
Not official.
Here to stir trouble.
Here to live.
Stepped closer. Explain.
Heart hammered ribs.
Chin up, though felt like baring throat to wolf.
Want contract engagement, with you.
He paused, beat.
Eyes narrowed, like weighing laugh or kill.
Brave, he said, or stupid.
Desperate, I snapped.
Gaze flicked over quick, checking tricks maybe.
Why would I.
Because you killed me. Will again. Need the feared one.
Said the lie true sounding. You only man Adrian cannot crush quiet. And I offer something you want.
Voice low. What.
My name, house, access, public shield.
Stared.
Held gaze, stomach churning.
No meant dead.
Yes meant danger still, just other kind.
Knock hard on door, rattled it.
Cassian eyes not off me. Enter.
Soldier in, tense. My lord, palace knights at gate. Demand Lady Seraphina surrendered now.
Blood froze, teeth ached cold.
On what charge.
Soldier swallowed. Attempted assassination. Poisoned Crown Prince this morning.
Stared at him.
This morning. I had not gone near palace.
Outside, boots thump, metal clink, voices rise.
Shout cut through. By royal authority. Open gates. Hand over Lady Seraphina Vale.
Cassian hand to sword hilt.
Eyes back to me.
Flat, cold.
Testing, like asking silent, worth the fight.
Door shook again.
Duke Nocten, roar. Surrender criminal, or charged accomplice.
Knees weakened.
Grabbed chair back, not fall.
Cassian stepped slow to door.
Then quiet, So, this your offer.
Lock clicked outside.
They coming in.
I think that is where it gets messy, not sure how it all ties up yet, but the tension builds kind of fast there.