VICIOUS DEVOTION

CHAPTER SEVEN : The Council's Wrath

The Grand Council Chamber – 9:00 AM

Serafina had barely slept.

She had spent the night with Dante—not in that way, though the thought had crossed her mind more than once. They had planned. They had strategized. They had sat side by side at her desk, shoulders brushing, voices low, as they mapped out the destruction of every corrupt council member who had ever crossed her.

By dawn, he had slipped out through the servant's passages. She had watched him go, her heart pounding with something she refused to name.

You're in too deep, she told herself. You're falling for a monster.

But as she walked into the council chamber, chin high, spine straight, she realized she didn't care.

The council was already seated. Seven men and two women, all older, all wealthy, all corrupt. They looked at her like she was a child who had wandered into a boardroom.

Fools, she thought. You have no idea what's coming.

"Your Highness," Lord Ashworth began, his voice dripping with false concern. "We have received troubling reports. It seems you were seen—dancing. With a known criminal. In front of the entire court."

Serafina arched an eyebrow. "I was. And?"

"And?" Lady Moreau sputtered. "Your Highness, this is a scandal! The Viscardi family is the most dangerous syndicate in the region. You cannot possibly—"

"Cannot possibly what?" Serafina's voice was ice. "Cannot possibly make my own decisions? Cannot possibly choose who I dance with? I was under the impression that I was the heir to the throne. Not a puppet."

The room went silent.

Lord Ashworth leaned forward. "Your Highness, we are simply concerned for your reputation. And for the stability of the kingdom. The Viscardis are—"

"Useful," Serafina interrupted.

"Excuse me?"

She smiled. It was not a pleasant expression. "The Viscardis are useful. You see, Lord Ashworth, I have recently come into possession of some very interesting information. About you. About all of you."

She reached into her bag and pulled out a thick folder. She dropped it on the table. It landed with a heavy thud.

The council members exchanged nervous glances.

"What is this?" Lady Moreau demanded.

"This," Serafina said, "is proof. Of embezzlement. Of treason. Of conspiracy to assassinate the crown."

The room erupted.

"This is outrageous!"

"Where did you get—"

"This is a violation of—"

"Silence." Serafina's voice cracked like a whip. The room fell quiet. She looked at each council member in turn, her eyes burning.

"I have known about your corruption for years," she said. "But I could never prove it. Until now. You see, I have a new ally. One who has been collecting evidence against you for two years. One who knows every secret you've ever tried to hide."

Lord Ashworth's face had gone pale. "The Viscardi boy. You're working with—"

"I'm working with someone who actually cares about this kingdom," Serafina said. "Unlike any of you."

She stood, gathering the folder. "You have twenty-four hours to resign. All of you. If you do, I will not press charges. If you don't—" She smiled again. "—I will release this information to the public. Every newspaper. Every tabloid. Every social media platform. Your careers will be destroyed. Your families will be ruined. Your legacies will be nothing but ash."

She turned and walked toward the door.

"You can't do this!" Lady Moreau shouted. "You're just a princess! You don't have the authority—"

Serafina paused at the door. She looked back over her shoulder.

"I am the future queen," she said quietly. "And I have a mafia prince at my back. Try me."

She walked out.