"Lady Seraphina von Eidelweiss!"
The name rang through the grand hall like a blade drawn across glass. Her head snapped up as all eyes turned to her.
Seraphina stood at the center of the polished marble floor, framed by towering pillars and stained glass that painted the court in fractured light. Nobles lined the sides, their whispers already beginning. Low, eager, hungry for blood...
At the far end, seated upon the raised throne, was King Leopold Reinhart – her fiancé! He was as dashing as she remembered him. Tall – even when sitting down – with his white coat and blue band hanging over his shoulder, marking him as King of Londermany. His usual gentle demeanor was gone; the only thing blazing in his dark eyes was anger.
Beside him stood Lady Elena Everhart, radiant in a blushing pink dress, with her hands clasped delicately before her in prayer. Her golden hair was the color of the sun, and her big, baby-blue eyes were framed by a delicate, heart-shaped face, giving her the appearance of having been carved from gentleness itself.
Seraphina didn't bow...
She didn't move.
She just… blinked!
Slowly, as if waking up from a dream...
The King rose slowly, his expression carved from cold resolve.
"After careful consideration," he began sharply, his voice carrying effortlessly through the ballroom. "I have come to a decision regarding your position as my betrothed — and as the future queen of this kingdom!"
A ripple passed through the court--- but Seraphina's expression remained the same. Only those paying close attention would have noticed the slight frown that creased her brows.
…What?
"You have proven yourself," Leopold continued. "To be ill-suited for the role of queen! Your conduct is marked by arrogance, jealousy, and cruelty. It has brought unrest to the court and cast doubt upon your character."
Each word landed with deliberate weight, like a knife slicing through her. The words were measured.
Practiced...
Final!
Seraphina's gaze drifted—not to him, but around the room. All of them were faces she recognized. People who used to grovel at her feet, willing to do anything to gain her favor. Who used to bend to her every whim. Now, they all looked at her as if she were something bad stuck under their shoes. Their expressions a blend of emotions.
Some smug.
Some pitying.
Most entertained...
"Furthermore," the King said, his voice clear as crystal, although it warmed with something unnamed as he took Lady Elena's hands in his. "It has become clear that my heart lies elsewhere."
A pause...
Then---
"I hereby annul our engagement!"
The words echoed.
Heavy...
Absolute!
A collective intake of breath swept through the hall. Shock ripped through them like a tidal wave, as all eyes were locked on her. Like a predator locked in on its prey.
Seraphina remained unmoving--- then, she tilted her head ever so slightly, the dim chandelier light catching in her strawberry blond hair as it moved with her...
"…Huh?"
The one-word answer hung in the air for what felt like an eternity, taking everyone by surprise. Because this wasn't a challenge. It didn't dare the King to repeat what he just said. It was just---
Confusion!
She looked left.
Right...
Up at the couple before her and down at her own hands. And as realization dawned on her, something in her chest tightened.
Something familiar...
"…No!"
Her brows knit together as a tirade of emotions slammed into her all at once.
Anger.
Pain.
Humiliation.
Rage!
"…No, no, no---"
A small hysterical laugh slipped between her lips as she was faced with this all over again. The emotions all boiled over, flowing into her veins like molten lava. The memories from the past assaulted her mind, each accompanied by a fresh stab in her heart.
This couldn't be happening!
Not again!
"NO WAY!!!"
The shout cracked through the chamber like thunder. Instantly, the atmosphere snapped into something--- else!
Steel shifted.
Leopold's hand moved subtly, ready to command as the guards stepped forward. Elena flinched, stepping closer to him, her eyes watery from unshed tears.
"Seraphina—!" the King warned, his tone sharp like a whip.
But Seraphina wasn't looking at him.
She was staring down at the marble floor; eyes wide, breath uneven--- and something between disbelief and outrage flashing across her face...
"…Again?" she whispered in disbelief, mostly to herself. Her fingers curled against her chest, the familiar ache settling there like an unwanted friend.
This pain…
Of all the things she wished she could escape, this pain was at the top of her list. No matter how many times she's stood there – relived this exact moment over and over again--- that sharp, humiliating, suffocating pain!
Her heart—
It hurt!
"I won't let you hurt Lady Elena!"
The King's voice had her lifting her head, facing the boy – now a grown man – whom she used to call a friend. He'd been the only one who ever showed her any affection. Had promised her to remain by her side no matter what. They'd gotten engaged young, and she truly believed that they were forever…
She'd believed in warmth back then.
Laughter.
Hope.
Now it all felt… cold!
Empty.
Like a shattered dream that can never be reclaimed.
And she'd been the one who destroyed that dream with her own two hands.
She knew that now…
But it had been a hard learned lesson.
One that had taken several lifetimes to finally sink in...
Seraphina sucked in a sharp breath. Closed her eyes and focused on what she had to do next. This time, when she opened her eyes again, she saw everything clearly.
The hall came back into focus--- although she wished she hadn't heard the whispers that loudly circled the ballroom. Not even the stares were subtle.
Seriously, were they even trying?!
"…Why?" She mumbled under her breath, hiding her face in her hands, and sighed as she now understood what had happened – again! "Why is it always this moment…?"
"Why do I always come back to this…?!"
"Lady Seraphina!"
Elena's soft voice cut in, gentle as falling snow. Without even meaning to, Sera lifted her head and faced the woman who had taken her spot by the King's side. The angel-like saint had wormed her way into the King's good graces and had him fall in love with her.
Well--- she couldn't really blame Leo for that.
The woman was gorgeous, kind, and had a heart of gold. A noble family had adopted her after her family had been killed in a vicious demon attack.
Only she survived…
And yeah, with a tragic backstory like that, who wouldn't love this dashing heroine? She volunteered at shelters, helped at the local orphanage, and, in her free time, read to underprivileged children.
In other words---
She was the ideal woman!
A perfect queen.
So when she stepped forward to face the obvious villainess in this story, every man tensed, ready to throw away his life to protect this blessed goddess.
"I never meant for things to turn out this way, but Leo and I," she began, her voice sweet and heartwarming as always. "We--- we're in love!" She lowered her head, her lips trembling as she continued: "I'm so sorry! I never meant for anyone to get hurt. But please---!"
Seraphina lifted a hand, cutting off the flow of words in a sharp, swift motion...
"I'm going to stop you right there."
Another wave of shock rushed through the crowd.
The silence was deafening…
The tension unbearable!
Elena froze--- and so did everyone else. Only the guards tightened their hold on their swords, ready to move at a moment's notice. One signal from the King and---!
Seraphina exhaled slowly.
Then--- she smiled!
Not the broken, furious smile they expected.
No.
This one was… composed!
Genuinely happy for them...
She lowered her hand and straightened her posture, every inch the noblewoman she had been raised to be. She gracefully bowed to the couple in front of her.
Poised and elegant…
She looked ethereal.
"I accept the cancellation of our engagement, Your Highness."
The silence rippled through the court, her easy acceptance rocking the ground more than if she'd thrown a fit.
King Reinhart blinked, not sure of what to think of this answer. Besides him, Elena's lips parted slightly in shock, the speech she'd prepared falling dead to the ground...
"And I wish you and Lady Elena Everhart all the happiness in the world," Sera continued, her voice smooth.
Flawless.
Untouchable.
"Now, if you'll excuse me."
Seraphina dipped into a shallow, perfect curtsy. And just like that—
She walked away!
To everyone present, she was the image of dignity. Despite just being publicly rejected and humiliated, she held her head high, making people question if the stories about the hot-headed, short-tempered, vile woman were true. Yet, all of them had seen one or more incidents where Lady Seraphine von Eidelweiss had proven to be a cruel and despicable person…
What had changed?
Seraphine – who usually just went by Sera – marched out of that ballroom with a clear goal in mind. Behind her perfect smile and poised posture was a volcano ready to blow.
She didn't have time for meaningless squabbles. For roomers and pointless slander. Or to partake in a love-triangle that wouldn't lead anywhere anyway. Leo and Elena deserved each other – that much she knew!
No...
Seraphine von Eidelweiss had bigger fish to fry!
Or rather…
A demon!
Hours later, as the sun sat behind the mountain tops and the sky darkened, she stood before a massive, ominous fortress.
Black stone.
Towering spires.
Wings of shadow circling above...
The air grew heavy as demons surrounded her; their jagged claws could easily rip her asunder.
But none of that deterred the human girl!
She faced the gate, absolutely livid. Knowing that behind these gates was the reason for all of her suffering. The reason why she had relived that pain and rejection over and over again. The reason why the war that killed her broke out in the first place...
"DEMON LORD KAEL'THARION VIREX!"
Birds scattered as her voice echoed across the mountains. She planted her hands on her hips, glaring up at the fortress with defiance and fire that rivaled the flames of hell.
"I HAVE A BONE TO PICK WITH YOU!!!"