Book 1: Chapter 22 - Matters of the Heart
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Nothing makes a woman more spiteful than unrequited love.
- Miranda Devine.
Seraphina finally had a moment to herself—a rare luxury these days. Seated by a grand window overlooking the sprawling gardens and swaying wisterias, she delicately nibbled on a waffle drenched in syrup. So lost in thought was she that the sweetness barely registered as her thoughts drifted. Her eyes took on a distant gaze as she reviewed her Status, the ethereal words shimmering in her mind’s inner vision.
[STATUS] Seraphina de Sariens - Noble (Human lvl.14)
STR:
DEX:
CON:
INT:
WIS:
CHR:
LCK:
37
18
17
21
10
40
13 [18]
Health:
Stamina:
Mana:
Experience:
266/266
44/44
13/13
422/1540
[Skills & Proficiencies]
Swords
(lvl.3)
Bows
(lvl.3)
Crossbows
(lvl.4)
Throwing Weapons
(lvl.1)
Dodge
(lvl.3)
Critical Hit Mastery
(lvl.2)
Improved Riding
(lvl.3)
Monster Taming
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(lvl.2)
Herbalism
(lvl.1)
Daggers
(lvl.5)
Rest
(lvl.2)
Power Strike
(lvl.1)
Slings
(lvl.2)
[Gifts]
Strength of the Old Ones:
+25 Strength
A faint smile touched her lips. Overall, she judged herself to be in a formidable position regarding her growth and progress. Training with Kellan had slowly but surely honed her physical abilities. The grueling sessions left her muscles aching, but it was a satisfying pain—a reminder of her progress. And a short-lived one at that with her judicious use of the Heal spell. Unfortunately, she had yet to gain the Mana Regeneration skill.
She had also entrusted Ibn to Armsmaster Kellan's tutelage, insisting he teach the boy everything he knew about the blade. Though the red-eyed Hazagadami boy remained silent, and Kellan somewhat reluctant, Seraphina's undeniable charm and Charisma left them little choice. In truth, the old man secretly delighted in molding new talent, and his feigned resistance crumbled quickly.
Yet, Ibn's muteness worried her. He communicated only with nods and feral grunts. That simply would not do. She could not have a page in her service who refused to speak. She resolved to address this soon; after all, it was simply quite rude.
Giles and Crayton, ever eager to please, had been teaching her the art of the sling. They rolled dice each morning to decide who would have the honor of instructing her, their competitive spirits amusing her. Once she mastered the basics, she had her maid Miriam dash about the gardens while she launched small rubbery balls at her, crafted from the dried sap of a local tree.
Miriam's shrieks echoed through the estate every time a projectile found its mark. Seraphina could not help but smirk at the thought. Perhaps the maid's Dodge skill had improved by day's end. She viewed the training as harsh, but necessary.
Eloise, too, was making strides. She could now encase small parts of her body in thick earth—a rudimentary form of the Golem Armor that high-level Geomancers wielded. It was far from perfect, but it could absorb a blow or two. More importantly, she was beginning to sense the subtle vibrations of the earth beneath her feet—a budding tremor-sense that could prove invaluable.
However, Eloise had been distraught upon seeing Seraphina's new hairstyle. As expected, she wailed and protested, aghast that Seraphina would alter her appearance for a "little Hazagadami rat." She would bear Ibn great animosity for the foreseeable future. The de Laney girl could not possibly fathom the grand future Ibn held—assuming Kellan could unlock his potential, much like the trainers in the Church had done before.
Which reminded her of yet another problem on the distant horizon. The matter of Este Lize the Deliverer—the Living Saint, the Savior of the Silver. Currently an orphan under the Church of Avaria's protection, she was currently beyond the reach of Seraphina's claws. It irked her endlessly. Este Lize was her destined rival, the one who could unravel all her plans. But for now, all Seraphina could do was wait and prepare. She had already stolen one of Este's future assets, turning Ibn to her side, much like capturing a vital piece in a game of Shogi.
Idly, she toyed with her newly acquired jewelry. The bracelet adorning her wrist, Arvan's Luck, glinted in the morning sunlight. The plus five to her Luck attribute would aid her greatly in the future and every advantage counted.
Time was ticking. In just a few days, the next major event would unfold. As if scenting her thoughts, her mother, Anaselena, had informed her that Crown Prince Vellens would soon arrive to court her and formalize their engagement with a wedding contract. His entourage was expected any day now.
Anaselena had regained much of her former radiance, a change that had not gone unnoticed by her father. The storm that had loomed over their household seemed to have passed, at least for the moment.
Mixed emotions swirled within Seraphina at the mention of Vellens. Her heart had fluttered when her mother spoke his name—a remnant of the original Seraphina's deep affection for the prince. Tall, handsome, and charming, he was every woman's dream. The perfect blend of solid masculine strength, a dash of mystery, and a hidden vulnerability, he ignited protective instincts she didn't know she possessed. Thinking of him made her feel both elated and tormented.
It did not help that the studio had crafted Vellens to her exact specifications—he was, quite literally, the man of her dreams. But her new reality was a cruel one.
Her eyes hardened, the warmth replaced by a steely resolve. It was a love that could never be. He had betrayed her—would betray her—the original Seraphina at least. He had shattered her heart in the most tragic way possible, a cascade of betrayals that had driven her to open a door to the Old Ones in despair. He had been her light and joy, only to plunge her into darkness.
True, those events had not yet transpired, but to her, they were as real as the sun rising. Women were not always logical; they didn't need to be. Logic was a tool, useful only when guided by emotion. And her emotions were a storm, swirling with love, hate, and a now a thirst for retribution.
Seraphina took a deep breath, steadying herself. The future was hers to shape, and she would not fall into the same tragic spiral of that innocent girl. Not again. She had been brought here for a reason and still had a few days to make a few last spots of self-improvement.
Her mother had been hiding something from her, testing her, wanting to see if she had anything to say on the matter. Perhaps Vellen’s trip to the Sariens would not turn out as the Duchess or the Crown Prince expected, she thought with a small smirk.
“Lady Seraphina,” interrupted a high voice, bringing her back from her dark thoughts of future plans.
She smiled at the owner of the voice, Eloise. “Apologies, I was just distracted for the moment. I was thinking about Vellens.”
Eloise’s face darkened for just a fraction, her smile faltering.
It was time to make things clear with the girl. To set things where they stood. “Vellens will never love you, Eloise. Could never love you,” she corrected softly. “Despite all of your family’s wealth, your own beauty, and your natural sweetness. Can you not see this?”
The dark-haired girl gripped the edge of the tablecloth in repressed anger. “I… I… know. I could never be good enough for him compared to you Lady Seraphina,” she said her voice catching as her eyes began to mist.
Seraphina reached out and gently clasped Eloise's hand. "No, that is not true. You would be wasted on him," she murmured, a sad smile touching her lips. "I don't say this to be cruel, but the perfect Vellens doesn't even love me. That man is in love only with himself."
Lifting the girl's chin, she gazed into Eloise's dark eyes. "The kingdom would have me marry a man I do not love—a man I do not want. I will not deny that there is a certain amount of… attraction, but Vellens will bring me only heartache and sorrow, and that fate I will not allow for you. For you... or for me."
Eloise nodded slowly, confusion clouding her features. "But... but... if you do not marry Vellens, how will you become queen? Isn't that what you want? What any of us would want?"
Seraphina's smile deepened as she tenderly patted Eloise's dark hair. The poor girl did not yet understand that there were many ways to skin a cat.
"Eloise, I will marry for love, or I will marry for myself. I will not let someone else dictate my fate. I must be true to who I am," she declared, her eyes gleaming with determination. "Now come, let us finish our morning meal. We have a hunt later, and you will be joining me."
"I... I will?" Eloise gasped, shocked by the sudden change in plans.
Seraphina answered with a knowing smile, giving her a gentle pat on the cheek.