CHAPTER 4: WELCOME, MY QUEEN
599 Words
The royal carriage soared through the crimson sky.
Seraphina remained pressed against the window, unable to look away.
Floating islands drifted among the clouds.
Massive dragons circled distant mountains.
Moonlight reflected off rivers that shimmered like liquid silver.
"This..."
She whispered.
"This isn't the world I know."
Lucien sat opposite her, his crimson eyes fixed on her every expression.
"It never was."
Seraphina turned toward him.
"What do you mean?"
"The human kingdom only knows a fraction of the truth."
He folded his hands elegantly.
"For thousands of years, humans, vampires, witches, and other supernatural races have existed side by side."
"They simply cannot see one another."
"Powerful magic separates our worlds."
Seraphina lowered her gaze to the glowing mark on her wrist.
"So... this is all because of this?"
Lucien nodded.
"The Blood Bond awakened your ability to perceive the hidden world."
Silence filled the carriage.
After several minutes, Seraphina finally asked the question weighing on her heart.
"Why me?"
"Out of all the women in the world..."
"Why am I your mate?"
Lucien's expression softened.
"I've asked fate that same question for three centuries."
Before Seraphina could reply—
The carriage slowed.
Outside the window stood an enormous pair of black gates over a hundred feet tall.
Countless crimson gems glowed within the ancient metal.
As the carriage approached...
The gates slowly opened.
Boom...
Boom...
Boom...
A magnificent castle appeared beyond them.
Its towering black spires reached into the heavens.
Silver waterfalls flowed from the cliffs beneath the palace.
Thousands of crimson roses bloomed across the royal gardens.
The palace looked less like a fortress...
And more like the home of a god.
The carriage landed gracefully in the grand courtyard.
The moment Lucien stepped outside—
Every servant, knight, and noble immediately knelt.
"Your Majesty!"
Their voices echoed across the palace.
Lucien turned toward the carriage and extended his hand.
Seraphina hesitated.
"You have nothing to fear."
Slowly, she placed her hand in his.
The instant she stepped onto the marble floor—
Everyone looked at the glowing Blood Bond on her wrist.
Gasps spread through the crowd.
"It really is her..."
"The King's fated mate..."
"Our future queen..."
Some smiled with relief.
Others looked horrified.
An elegant woman dressed in a black velvet gown stepped forward.
Her silver hair cascaded to her waist, and emerald eyes studied Seraphina with quiet disapproval.
She bowed to Lucien.
"Welcome home, Your Majesty."
Her gaze shifted toward Seraphina.
"So..."
"This human is the one."
Lucien's expression instantly turned cold.
"Mind your words, Lady Evelynn."
Evelynn forced a smile.
"My apologies."
"But the royal council has already gathered."
"They refuse to accept a human queen."
Murmurs spread through the nobles.
"A human has no place on the Crimson Throne."
"She'll disgrace the royal bloodline."
"This is madness."
Seraphina's face paled.
"I never asked to be anyone's queen."
She turned to Lucien.
"I don't belong here."
Lucien stepped beside her.
His voice was calm, yet powerful enough for everyone to hear.
"Listen carefully."
He wrapped an arm protectively around Seraphina's shoulders.
"This woman is my fated mate."
"My chosen queen."
"And the future ruler beside me."
His crimson eyes swept across every noble present.
"Anyone who dares insult her..."
"...insults their king."
Silence consumed the courtyard.
No one dared breathe.
Lady Evelynn lowered her head, but behind her polite smile, jealousy burned fiercely in her eyes.
'How could a mere human steal the place that should have been mine?'
As Seraphina looked around at the countless hostile faces, one thought echoed through her mind.
The real battle...
Had only just begun.
- Writer
