The quiet hum of activity in the palace seemed almost foreign to Serina as she walked through the long corridors, the weight of the princess's words still pressing heavily on her mind. The request—or rather, the expectation—had been clear: to spy on Lucian, her once-beloved prince, the man she had vowed to love in her past life. She had to admit, a part of her had anticipated such a proposal, though she hadn't expected it to come so soon. It was the kind of thing that made her realize how much had changed since she was last here.
But what exactly was the princess after? She had made her intentions clear, but Serina couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this than met the eye. Was Seraphina truly trying to protect the kingdom, or was she simply maneuvering to remove a threat in the form of Lucian? And what was the price of this alliance she was offering?
As Serina moved through the palace, her thoughts were interrupted by a soft voice calling her name.
"Lady Elowen, you're back."
Serina paused, her heart skipping a beat at the familiar voice. She turned to find her maid, Emilia, standing a few paces away, her expression one of cautious curiosity. Emilia was a quiet girl, never one to speak out of turn, but Serina could always rely on her to sense when something was amiss.
Serina gave a small smile, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Yes, I've returned. The princess was kind enough to invite me for a chat."
Emilia's brow furrowed slightly. "I see. And… what did she want?"
Serina hesitated for a moment before answering. The conversation with the princess had been far more complicated than she was willing to explain to anyone, especially someone like Emilia, who could easily find herself caught in the crossfire. "She has… certain interests in Lucian," Serina said softly, her voice taking on a sharp edge as she said his name. "And she believes I can help her with those interests."
Emilia's expression softened, though there was a hint of concern in her eyes. "And what will you do, Lady Elowen? You can't be seen as a spy. The court would turn on you."
Serina sighed, running a hand through her hair. "I know. I'm not going to be anyone's puppet. But this could be an opportunity. If I play my cards right, I can use this alliance to my advantage."
The maid nodded, clearly sensing the weight of Serina's words. "Just be careful, my lady. The palace is full of dangerous people. Some wear smiles, others wear masks, but all have their own agenda."
Serina gave a short, dry laugh, her gaze drifting toward the ornate tapestries hanging on the walls. "I've already learned that the hard way."
Emilia offered her a soft smile before bowing her head. "If you need anything, I'll be here, my lady."
Serina watched her leave before turning back down the hallway, her thoughts once again consumed by the conversation with the princess. She needed to make a decision, and soon. It was clear the princess wasn't going to give up easily. But what did Serina stand to gain from this? She had her own reasons for wanting to stay close to Lucian, to figure out exactly what he was up to. The fact that Seraphina had just offered her an easy way to do that was tempting. But alliances like these were fragile. One wrong move, and everything could fall apart.
She found herself back in her quarters sooner than she expected, the silence of the room enveloping her. The lavish furnishings, the fine silks, the decadent carpets—all of it felt so empty now. She wasn't sure how to move forward, but one thing was certain: she wouldn't let herself become a pawn again. Not when she had a chance to control her own destiny.
Serina's thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door.
"Enter," she called, standing up from the chaise longue where she had been sitting.
The door opened to reveal a figure Serina hadn't expected. A man in his mid-thirties, wearing the uniform of a royal guard. His stance was strong and imposing, but there was something about the way his eyes softened as he looked at her that made her pause. This was Captain Edmund Vance, a name that carried weight among the palace's inner circles. He was one of the few people who had earned Serina's respect during her time here, a man who was known for his unshakable loyalty and sense of justice.
"My lady," Captain Vance said, bowing slightly. His tone was respectful, but there was a glint of concern in his eyes. "I've been sent by the princess to ensure your safety. It seems there are those who are not pleased with your recent… return to court."
Serina raised an eyebrow, a wry smile playing at her lips. "What, does she fear that someone will harm me?"
Captain Vance's expression darkened. "Not harm, necessarily. But there are rumors circulating that some in the palace do not welcome your presence, my lady. They believe your return is a threat to their own interests."
Serina's eyes narrowed. "Who exactly?"
The captain hesitated for a moment before answering. "I cannot say with certainty, but there are whispers in the darker corners of the palace. Some say you've come to steal back Lucian's favor, while others believe you have ulterior motives."
Serina's fingers clenched into fists. She had expected something like this. Her return would cause ripples in the delicate political waters of the palace, and not everyone would be happy about it. But what did they think they could do to her? She was the daughter of Duke Elowen. Her blood alone gave her more power than most could ever dream of.
"I see," she said, her voice steady. "And what do you think, Captain? Do you believe I've come to cause trouble?"
Captain Vance's gaze softened. "I don't know you well enough to say, my lady. But I do know this: You're a force to be reckoned with, whether you realize it or not. And I intend to protect you, however I can."
Serina's heart skipped a beat. His words were unexpected, but in that moment, she felt a strange sense of comfort. Perhaps she didn't have to do this alone after all.
"Thank you, Captain Vance," she said, her tone softer than before. "I'll take your advice to heart."
He nodded, his lips pressing into a thin line. "I'll remain close by. You're not as safe as you think."
Serina watched him leave, her thoughts now more conflicted than ever. She had allies, but she also had enemies. The game she was playing was far from simple, and she was beginning to wonder just how deep it really went.
She turned to the window, staring out at the sprawling kingdom beyond. Everything was changing, and yet, nothing had really changed at all. Lucian was still at the center of it all, his power, his influence, his betrayal. And now the princess was trying to use her to deal with him.
Serina wasn't sure where this would all lead, but one thing was certain—she wasn't about to let the past repeat itself. Not again.
The game had begun, and Serina Elowen would make sure that, this time, she was the one holding the cards.