After the incident in the garden, Seraphina felt that something had changed in the palace. It wasn't just the suspicious glances from some of the servants, but also the increasingly suffocating atmosphere.
That day, as she walked through the palace corridor, she could feel the stares that seemed to follow her every step. Soft whispers could be heard among the servants—some tried to avoid her gaze, while others stared at her with scorn.
"So it's true she almost stole the Queen's jewelry?" one servant whispered faintly, but clearly enough for Seraphina to hear.
"I heard Prince Adrian only defended her out of pity," another chimed in mockingly.
Seraphina straightened her shoulders, trying not to show that she had heard it all. Still, every word they murmured felt like needles stabbing at her pride.
As she passed through the hall toward the kitchen, another servant deliberately bumped into her, causing the tray of glass cups in her hands to fall to the floor. The sound of shattering echoed through the room.
"Hey, look who can't even keep her balance," said Leny, one of the servants known to be on Evelyn's side.
Seraphina held back her emotions and bent down to pick up the shards, but the servant stepped on her fingers with the heel of her shoe.
"Ouch!" Seraphina gasped, eyes wide as she looked up at Leny.
"Oops, sorry," Leny said with a mocking smile, as if the incident had been an accident. "Haha, you really are unlucky, Seraphina."
Seraphina clenched her fists, suppressing the surge of emotions within her chest. She wanted to retaliate, to say something back, but defending herself would only make things worse.
Before Leny could speak again, another voice called out from the end of the corridor.
"What's going on here?"
Seraphina turned and saw Luke, one of Adrian's close friends who had just returned after a long time, standing with a serious expression.
"Seraphina dropped the tray," Leny said quickly, pretending to be concerned.
Luke glanced at the shattered glass on the floor, then back at Leny with a skeptical look. "That's not all that happened, is it?"
Cornered, Leny forced a smile. "I was only trying to help her."
Luke stepped closer and knelt to help Seraphina up. "I don't think you understand the meaning of the word 'help,' Leny," he said coldly.
Leny scoffed softly before turning and walking away, leaving Seraphina still trying to compose herself.
"Are you okay?" Luke asked, his eyes examining Seraphina's reddened fingers.
Seraphina nodded, even though her fingers still ached. "I'm used to it."
Luke sighed, sympathy in his eyes. "Looks like Evelyn's getting bolder."
"She won't stop," Seraphina whispered. "Not just her, but everyone who believes her lies."
Luke was silent for a moment before saying, "Adrian won't let that happen."
Seraphina gave a bitter smile. "His Highness the Prince can't always be here to save me."
Luke didn't argue, but his gaze told her he understood her fear.
As they were about to leave the corridor, another servant came running toward them in a hurry.
"Seraphina, Queen Helena wants to see you in the main hall," he said with a hesitant tone.
A wave of cold unease washed over Seraphina. Queen Helena.
Luke looked displeased. "I'll go with you."
"There's no need, sir," Seraphina replied quickly. "If I can't face this on my own, then I have no place in this palace."
Luke nodded slowly, though his eyes still showed concern.
Seraphina walked toward the main hall with a pounding heart. When she arrived, she saw Queen Helena sitting on her throne, dressed in a deep purple gown with her hair elegantly styled. Beside her, Evelyn stood with a satisfied expression.
"Seraphina," Queen Helena's voice was calm, but carried an intimidating firmness. "I want to speak with you about this morning's incident."
"Your Majesty. I wasn't the one who did it. I was framed!" Seraphina got straight to the point.
"Enough with your excuses! I only want you to know your place—as a palace servant," the Queen said with emotion. "If you still wish to stay here, then stop causing trouble that could get you thrown out of this palace! And one more thing—stay away from Prince Adrian."
Seraphina stiffened. "Understood, Your Majesty."
Evelyn smiled in triumph.
**
Seraphina sat on a stone bench by the pond, her fingers gently brushing the small wound on her hand—remnants of the incident earlier that day. Her gaze was empty, her mind still overwhelmed by the pressure that had mounted ever since Evelyn began to toy with her.
Slow footsteps approached. Seraphina didn't need to look to know who it was.
"Seems like I've found a bird trapped in its cage," Lucian's voice came lightly, though something deeper lingered beneath it.
Seraphina remained silent. Lucian walked closer, leaning against a stone pillar beside her, his eyes gazing up at the moon hanging in the sky.
"How much longer can you survive here, Seraphina?" Lucian asked, his tone hard to read—not just idle curiosity, but something deeper and sharper.
Seraphina looked at her reflection in the water. "I don't know," she answered honestly. "But I don't have any other choice."
Lucian chuckled softly, as if hearing something ironic. "No one is ever truly without a choice. It's just that some of us are bound by things stronger than iron chains."
Seraphina frowned, turning to him. "And you speak as if you understand what it means to be bound?"
Lucian looked at her with his golden eyes, full of mystery. "I understand it more than you think."
Then, Lucian crouched beside her, picked up a small stone, and tossed it into the pond, sending ripples across the surface. "You know, Seraphina, my family wasn't always what it is now."
Seraphina raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite knowing that every word out of Lucian's mouth always had a purpose.
"My father," he continued, "was a harsh man. Not because he hated the world, but because the world betrayed him first. He lost everything—his kingdom, his honor, his family—all taken by those stronger than him. And you know what he did?"
Seraphina stayed silent, waiting.
"He endured," Lucian said, his voice deepening. "He rebuilt everything from the ground up, using blood and vengeance as his foundation. He taught me that weakness is a curse, and only those strong enough can reclaim what's rightfully theirs."
Lucian gave a crooked smile, though his expression carried bitterness. "He used to tell me an old saying: 'A hungry wolf bites harder than a full one.' Do you understand what it means?"
Seraphina was puzzled by the question. "Someone who's desperate will do anything to survive?"
Lucian nodded, his expression more serious now. "And I want to know, Seraphina. How hungry are you to survive?"
There was something in his question that made Seraphina feel as if she was being tested. She looked at him sharply. "I'm not playing in this game of power, Lucian. I just want to find my place."
Lucian chuckled, but this time without mockery. "You're too innocent," he said, shaking his head. "But maybe that's what makes you different from everyone else in this palace."
He stood up, stretching his arms as if to feel the night wind against his skin. "You know, when I was a child, my mother used to tell me stories about the stars," Lucian said. "She said, the brightest star is often the loneliest—because it shines alone in the darkness."