I Was Never Yours

Summons

SERAPHINA POV

'If I offered a little help, would you let me, Sera? Not as a representative of the Crown. As Cyran, your old friend'

The message was still on my phone, unanswered. I had been ignoring it for days.

Not only because I'd been busy, but also I wasn't ready to let anyone outside my family in yet.

Truthfully, I didn't want to involve anyone at all. I thought this would be a war between Vaeldric, Lysara, and me.

Unfortunately, things had already gone too far. There was no way back to how it started.

I stood there silently, reconsidering everything, calculating the losses my next steps might bring. Once again, I opened Cyran's messages.

Ah... Perhaps it was finally time to ask for help.

Before everything spiraled further out of control and caused even greater damage—not just to me and my reputation, but to the Vermont family's entire network of businesses and influence.

Another message arrived while I was still staring at the chat.

'Whether you let it or not, I'll help whatever I can, Sera. This message isn't asking for your permission anymore. It's simply a notice.

Make sure you bring everything you have to this battlefield.

Magnus isn't merely looking for your weaknesses. He's handing the Church a weapon and pointing it at you.

You need to prepare for every possibility.

Don't let Aurion's name blind your judgment. They've turned him into a weapon. You need to face that reality.

Reach me out when you're ready for more."

This time, Cyran's message arrived while I was still re-reading our conversation. Whether it was a good sign or a bad one, I already knew I would accept the hand he was offering.

There was no one left I could truly trust. Yet among everyone who had offered their help, Cyran remained the best choice.

"Lady Ashbourne, your guests have arrived." Brita knocked carefully on my bedroom door.

Lately, she'd seemed more withdrawn than usual. Every time a new headline appeared with my name attached to it, she couldn't hide her worry.

I stood and went to meet the guests she mentioned. Elanor and Renata were already waiting in the main sitting room.

They had asked for permission to briefly visit Aurion's room and say goodbyes. There were no questions, no tears. Everything happened in silence.

Afterward, we went directly to the cemetery to visit Aurion's grave. The visit was brief, but it was enough to show how much they cared. Enough to remind me they were family.

***

"I've gathered all the evidence regarding Vaeldric and Lysara's affair in case you would need it, Sera. That woman is incredibly cunning. She has a thousand ways to get what she wants." Elanor handed me a thick stack of documents.

"I know Vaeldric is guilty, and I hate him for it. But I'm convinced it all started with one of Lysara's traps. Vaeldric simply didn't know how to get out."

She casually picked up one of the ginger biscuits from the garden table.

"I don't care anymore, Elanor. Whatever feelings I had for him are already gone."

"Good. That's exactly how it should be." Renata immediately leaned forward.

"A general who can't make a decision is a disaster. Especially when his wife was fighting for her life alongside their child. It's pathetic."

I let out a small laugh. Both of them stared at me in confusion.

"Have you finally gone insane?" Elanor asked.

"What exactly are you laughing at, Sera? Renata, I think my sister is losing her mind."

"You two are ridiculous." I laughed again.

"Relax. I buried all my heartbreak and tears alongside Aurion. You don't need to worry about me. I'm completely fine. You're the ones being overly emotional."

They exchanged glances before both lightly smacking my shoulder. Soon enough, we found ourselves talking about everything we'd missed during the years apart.

"Sera... am I interrupting something?" A hesitant voice came from the edge of the garden.

I looked up to find Amelia standing there. Vaeldric's younger sister. His only sibling.

"Not at all. Come here, Amelia."

The moment I stood up, she hurried over and wrapped me in a tight hug.

"I'm sorry for my brother's behavior, Sera. He's gone too far this time. Step on him. Do whatever you want. He deserves it." The words tumbled out of her mouth before she could stop them.

"Isn't he your brother?" Renata looked genuinely confused. This was her first time meeting Amelia.

Perhaps she found it strange that members of the same family could stand on opposite sides. The Vermonts weren't like that. We argued, disagreed, but when it mattered, we stood together.

Amelia rolled her eyes. "Do you always agree with your parents or your husband?"

Renata blinked.

"Exactly. People can have different opinions even when they're family."

That got a nod from Renata. Meanwhile, Elanor simply giggled.

Amelia was a war journalist. Her instincts were sharp, and courage seemed woven into her character.

She was outspoken and never hesitated to expose things most people preferred to ignore.

The complete opposite of Elanor. Elanor was highly political and exceptionally good at hiding what she truly thought. A smiling HR executive who could destroy your career without ever raising her voice.

Despite that, the two of them had become friends years ago through work, long before I ever met Vaeldric.

"Next time you see your brother, please hit him in the head until he realizes how badly he messed up," Elanor said.

Amelia looked ready to agree before Elanor had even finished speaking.

"Oh, absolutely. I've already considered punching him." She sounded completely serious. Her eyes were still burning with anger.

Unfortunately, the fire quickly faded. "Though it doesn't matter anymore."

She looked at me uncertainly. "My father has already stepped in."

Then she reached into her handbag and pulled out an envelope.

"I'm sorry if the timing is bad, Sera." She handed it to me.

"Father asked me to give this to Vaeldric, but I couldn't find him. So I brought it to you instead."

A knot formed in my stomach. The Church's seal was stamped across the envelope.

I didn't know how to interpret Amelia's visit anymore. Whether she stood with me, her family, or somewhere in between.

Slowly, I opened the letter.

THE HOLY CHURCH OF VALERION

To:

Lady Seraphina Ashbourne

By authority of the Ecclesiastical Council, you are hereby summoned to appear before the Church regarding a formal inquiry into the death of Aurion Ashbourne.

Your attendance is mandatory.

Date: 18 Harvestmoon

Time: Ninth Bell

Location: Royal Valerion Cathedral

Failure to appear may be considered non-cooperation with an official ecclesiastical investigation.

May the Light guide the truth.

Archbishop Alaric Voss

Holy Church of Valerion

For some reason, Amelia didn't look surprised by its contents. "There's something else."

Everyone turned toward Amelia. Her unfinished sentence immediately drew everyone's attention.

"The Church isn't only summoning you."

"What do you mean?" I had thought I was the only target. Amelia swallowed hard before pulling out another envelope and giving it in my hand.

"They summoned Vaeldric too."