Chapter Three
1104 Words
Seraphine POV
He began walking toward me, his movement slow.
Deliberate. Measured.
Then he stopped just a few steps away.
The silence between us stretched.
Thick. Fragile.
“Are you lost?”
Kael’s words stilled me to the spot.
His gaze locked on me.
Sharp.
Dangerous.
My heart jumped.
Hard.
Wild.
I forced it to calm.
“I was returning to my room,” I said.
Even.
Careful.
I stepped away from the door.
Slow.
Casual.
Like I had not been about to open it.
Not about to check the strange light.
He moved closer.
Then his palm hit the wall beside my head.
Blocking my path.
I stiffened.
“You shouldn’t be wandering,” he said.
His voice was low.
Quiet.
Dangerous.
“Then perhaps,” I said, lifting my chin, “you should tell your guards to stop locking me inside like a prisoner.”
My voice was cool.
Sharp.
His eyes moved down the corridor.
Quick glance.
Then back to me.
“You are not a prisoner.”
“The locked door disagrees.”
His jaw tightened slightly. It was the smallest tell, but I saw it.
“You are under protection.”
I almost laughed.
“Protection?” I stepped closer, refusing to yield an inch of ground. “From whom? The same palace that condemned me? The same people who spit on me as I walked through the gates?”
His gaze darkened.
“That is precisely why.”
I paused.
The words were very unexpected, but I didn’t relent.
“Why marry me at all?” I demanded. “You could have let the rope finish what it started.”
His expression did not change.
“My blood means nothing,” I continued. “You have spilled thousands without hesitation. What is one more neck under your blade?”
The air shifted instantly.
“Be careful,” he said quietly.
“Or what?” I shot back. “Will you kill me too?”
That did it.
In one swift motion, his hand wrapped around my wrist, and he pulled me sharply.
I stumbled forward, colliding against his chest. My breath caught as my palms pressed instinctively against him.
He was solid and warm.
My heart began to pound.
Boom Boom.
Each one loud in my chest.
Then his other hand moved.
Now to my waist.
Our faces were now close.
I could feel his breath on my cheeks.
“If I wanted you dead,” he said, his voice low and deadly calm, “you would be.”
My pulse betrayed me.
Hammering loudly.
His eyes held mine firmly.
The air between us was thick. Heavy
I hated that my body reacted to his touch the way it did.
I hated it!
Then, abruptly, he released me and I felt control of myself again.
“Go to your room,” he said.
I did not move at first.
“Or I’ll make you.”
Only then did I notice them, two large guards standing at the end of the corridor behind him.
They remained silent as they watched on.
My jaw clenched .
He stepped aside slightly, creating a narrow path for me.
“Get some rest,” he said, his tone cold.
“Tomorrow is a long day.”
Tomorrow!
The wedding…
He turned.
Walking away, not even looking back.
I stood there for a long moment, staring.
Watching him leave.
Those words from the note still echoed in my head.
Your days are numbered.
On the night of tomorrow, you die.
Tomorrow night.
The wedding night.
So be it then...
Morning came too quickly.
The room flooded with servants before the sun had fully risen.
Silk. Jewels. Perfume.
They moved around me like I was an object to be polished.
I stood still, allowing them to dress me in layers of ivory and silver.
The gown was intricate… stitched with the fabrics of House Vale and newly embroidered with the crest of General Draven.
I did not respond.
Compliment or reject. Neither.
They braided my hair carefully.
Then a veil was placed lightly over my head.
I barely recognized the woman in the mirror.
She looked regal.
Royal.
And I knew for sure that I wasn't.
When the final clasp was secured at my back, a knock came at the door.
A maid entered, her head bowed.
“It is time.”
The room fell silent.
I nodded once.
They stepped aside as I walked forward.
The palace halls were even fuller than yesterday.
Nobles lined the passage leading to the ceremonial hall.
And as per usual, the whispers followed me like shadows.
“Traitor bride.”
“Execution spared.”
“General’s mercy.”
I did not falter as the grand doors opened.
The ceremonial hall stretched before me, it's massive and pristine structure glinting under the lights.
Every noble house had gathered for this event.
And at the far end…
He stood.
Kael Draven.
He was dressed in ceremonial black attire with silver armor plating at his shoulders.
Our eyes met then.
The world narrowed and for a moment, the noise faded.
He did not smile or nod, he simply watched.
I stepped forward, each step I took echoing through the hall.
I let my gaze drift across the crowd as I walked.
My eyes moved past faces with different expressions. Some curious, some angry, some happy even..
And somewhere among them—
Was likely to be my potential killer.
I reached the altar as Kael extended his hand.
I stared at it for half a breath.
Then placed mine in his.
His fingers closed around mine firmly.
The High Priest stepped forward.
“Today, under the watchful eyes of the Empire and before the sacred law of fated bonds, we gather to witness the union of our very General Kael Draven..!!”
His name was met with thunder.
Roars. Cheers.
“.. and Seraphine Vale.”
A murmur rippled through the hall.
Jeers. Whistles.
The priest continued, his voice echoing.
“This union binds House Vale to the command of General Draven. It restores honor through loyalty and seals blood under watchful sovereignty.”
The priest turned to Kael.
“General Kael Draven.”
The hall quieted instantly.
“Do you wish to have Seraphine of House Vale as your wife and to claim her as your equal under the sacred laws of the Empire?”
To protect and command as decreed?”
An absolute silence fell in the hall.
Even the torches seemed to hold still as every eye fixed on him.
In that moment, the entire Empire held its breath.
- Writer
