In the noble circle, when a letter came sealed with silver wax and delicate perfume, it was rarely an act of kindness.
It was a declaration of war, wrapped in lace and pleasantries.
Seraphina unfolded the invitation and raised a brow.
Lady Clarisse Hemwick cordially invites you to a garden tea party this afternoon.
A smile curved Seraphina's lips. "So soon, Clarisse?"
She could almost hear Clarisse's sugar-coated voice behind the words:
> Come, Seraphina. Let's pretend we're friends again, just long enough for you to walk into a humiliation trap I set up with extra roses.
In her first life, Seraphina would have gone, flattered and excited. Then she'd have cried quietly behind a hedge when the other noble girls "accidentally" spilled tea on her dress or made her the butt of a cruel joke.
But this time…
"Oh, I'll definitely attend," she said with a grin. "Wouldn't miss it for the world."
---
That Afternoon…
The garden was as beautiful as it was fake—floral arches, lace tablecloths, and hand-painted porcelain cups.
Clarisse wore pink, as usual, and smiled too widely.
"Oh, Seraphina! You came!" she said, as if she hadn't sent spies to make sure she would.
"Yes," Seraphina replied, brushing an imaginary speck off her lavender silk gown. "I had a sudden craving for bitter tea and fake smiles."
The other noble girls giggled—nervously.
Clarisse's eye twitched. "Well, we're honored. Please, have a seat."
Seraphina sat like a queen. Legs crossed, chin high, eyes half-lidded like she'd seen all of them naked and wasn't impressed.
The girls made small talk. Then came the real attack.
Lady Elise—a loyal Clarisse follower—smiled innocently. "I heard your engagement with His Highness Prince Rael is… in question. That must be difficult."
Another girl chimed in, faux sympathy dripping like poison. "But don't worry, Seraphina. Everyone stumbles socially. Not all of us can be destined for love."
They laughed lightly behind their fans.
Seraphina just blinked. Slowly.
"Oh, I agree."
They paused.
She sipped her tea. "Not everyone is destined for love… especially those who think jealousy counts as a personality."
Silence.
Clarisse's mouth opened. "I—I think you misunderstood—"
"I didn't." Seraphina placed her cup down. "You invited me here hoping I'd fall for your little traps and cry, didn't you?"
Clarisse's face paled.
"You expected the old Seraphina. The one who played your games and begged for scraps of your approval. But I've grown rather bored of that role."
She stood, gaze sweeping over them all. "I've decided to write my own script now. And in this version? You're the filler episode I skip."
Gasps. Scandalized stares.
Clarisse stood up, her hands trembling. "You think acting proud will get you another prince?"
"I don't want a prince," Seraphina said, eyes glittering. "I want peace. Freedom. And maybe…" she smiled to herself, "someone who looks at me like I'm the whole sky, not just a prize on a pedestal."
---
Just then…
A shadow passed the garden gates.
Darian Ravenshade.
In a simple black coat, a little too big for him. A book clutched under one arm. He looked as out of place in the fancy noble garden as a cat at a dog show.
Clarisse squinted. "Who…?"
Seraphina lit up.
"Darian!" she called, waving.
He looked startled. "I… uh, I just came to return this book you dropped…"
Clarisse snorted. "Oh? Seraphina, is that your new suitor? How tragic."
Seraphina turned slowly.
"No. He's not my suitor," she said calmly.
Darian froze. His heart sank.
Clarisse smirked.
"He's someone I admire," Seraphina continued, raising her voice just enough, "because he's honest, and kind, and brilliant—and never needed a crown to shine."
Silence.
Even the birds stopped chirping.
Darian blinked. His mouth parted just a little, eyes softening.
Clarisse looked ready to faint.
Seraphina walked over, took the book from his hand, and smiled up at him.
"Walk me out?"
He nodded, stunned. "O-Of course."
As they strolled away, whispers and stares followed them like wind.
---
Later, walking down the Academy path...
"Sorry if I embarrassed you," Seraphina said quietly.
"You didn't," Darian murmured. "I just… don't understand why you'd defend me."
She glanced sideways at him.
"Because I remember what it's like to be alone in a crowd full of people who smile while they stab you."
He didn't say anything for a moment.
Then—
"I think… if you're writing a new story," he said softly, "maybe I'd like to be in it."
Seraphina stopped.
She looked up at him, heart thumping a little too loudly.
"…Then stay close," she whispered. "Because this time, I'm not letting you fade into the background."