The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm orange glow across the Duke's estate as Serina walked through the gardens with her father. The once-familiar paths now felt foreign to her—every tree, every flower, every stone seemed to whisper with the weight of the future she had to change. The air was thick with a kind of tension, but Serina had learned to wear a mask, to appear unaffected by the weight pressing down on her chest.
"Your mother would have adored these flowers, wouldn't she?" Her father's voice broke the silence, his gaze distant as he looked at a bed of blooming lilies.
Serina stopped walking for a moment, her eyes following his. Her mother had passed when she was young, but her memories of her were vivid—her mother's soft smile, her warm touch, her quiet wisdom. Serina's heart twisted at the thought. But that was all in the past. She had a second chance now, and there was no time for nostalgia.
"Yes, Father," Serina replied softly, her voice tinged with emotion she quickly pushed aside. "She always had an eye for beauty."
Her father's lips curled into a faint smile before he turned to face her fully. "Serina, there is something I need to speak to you about." His voice grew more serious, the weight of his words sinking in.
She looked up at him, her brow furrowing. "What is it, Father?"
He paused, looking as though he were weighing his words carefully before he spoke again. "The kingdom is changing. There are whispers in the court—of alliances being made, of secret deals struck behind closed doors. Things are not as they seem."
Serina's mind raced. She had long suspected there were more forces at play than met the eye. Political intrigue had always run deep in the royal court, but she had never been involved in it. At least, not until now.
"Is this about the prince?" she asked cautiously, her voice betraying none of the unease that stirred inside her.
Her father's expression darkened at the mention of Lucian's name. "Yes. The prince has been making moves. His alliances are shifting, and his actions are becoming more unpredictable. There are rumors that he has been involved in deals that could change the balance of power in the kingdom."
Serina's heart skipped a beat. Lucian. The very man who had destroyed her in her past life. The man whose betrayal had cost her everything. Now he was maneuvering to change the kingdom—and perhaps his fate.
"Why are you telling me this?" she asked, keeping her voice steady despite the storm brewing within her.
Her father's gaze softened, but there was something unreadable in his eyes. "Because I need you to be cautious. There are things happening in the kingdom that you need to be aware of. Things that could affect us all."
Serina took a deep breath, her mind racing. There was no denying it. She had to keep her guard up—especially around Lucian. She couldn't let her emotions get the better of her. This time, she couldn't afford to be naive.
"I will be careful, Father," she said, her voice firm with determination. "But I have my own part to play in all of this."
Her father studied her for a moment before nodding. "I trust you, Serina. Just remember, not all is as it seems. You must be vigilant, always."
She nodded in agreement, but inside, her mind was already running through the possibilities. What was Lucian up to? What was his game this time? She couldn't afford to let him out of her sight. If she was going to destroy him, she needed to understand his every move.
After a brief pause, her father added, "There is something else. A letter came for you this morning. It's from the royal palace."
Serina's breath caught in her throat. A letter from the palace? She had received letters from the royal family before—when she was betrothed to Lucian—but they had always been formal, impersonal. This was different. It had her name written in elegant script, the royal seal pressed at the top.
Her father handed her the letter, and as she broke the seal, a chill ran down her spine. The message was simple, but it carried an unsettling weight.
"The princess requests your presence at the royal palace tomorrow evening. There is a matter of great importance to discuss. Please be prepared."
Serina's heart raced. The princess. The woman Lucian would marry. The woman who was currently engaged to him, in the life she had lost. But why did the princess want to meet her? What could she possibly want to discuss?
Her mind raced through countless possibilities—some dark, some hopeful, but none of them certain. The princess was not a fool. If she was asking for Serina, it could only mean one thing: the prince's web was beginning to unravel, and he had already started to play his cards.
"I don't trust it," Serina muttered, the letter slipping from her fingers as she looked at her father. "I don't trust them, not at all."
Her father's expression was unreadable, his usual warm demeanor replaced with a coldness that sent a shiver through Serina's bones. "Be careful, Serina. The princess is not a simple pawn. She's smarter than she appears. And you must tread carefully."
Serina nodded, her mind already moving forward. If the princess wanted her at the palace, it wasn't just a social call. She was certain of it.
"I will go tomorrow," Serina said, her voice steady. "I'll figure out what she wants—and I'll make sure I'm prepared."
The Duke gave her a small nod of approval, his expression still unreadable. "Good. But remember, Serina, nothing in this kingdom is ever as it seems. There are too many forces at play. And you must learn to navigate them all."
As the conversation faded, Serina found herself lost in thought. The days ahead would be fraught with danger, intrigue, and uncertain alliances. But one thing was clear—this time, she would not allow herself to fall prey to Lucian's manipulation. This time, she would control her destiny.
Tomorrow, she would face the princess, and no matter what happened, Serina would walk away from the meeting with one thing in mind: revenge.
And she would start by taking back her power