Hunting memories
1413 Words
Chapter 6: Hunting memories
***VEYRA ESTATE***
Morning arrived quietly.
A thin stream of sunlight slipped through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Seraphine's bedroom, painting golden streaks across the silk sheets.
The room was silent.
**Seraphine pov**
My eyes fluttered open.
For several seconds, i simply stared at the intricately carved ceiling above her bed, her breathing uneven.
Another nightmare.
No...
Not a nightmare.
A memory.
Almost instinctively, I rode my hands to my neck.
They rested against the exact place where the execution blade had fallen in my previous life.
Even after waking...
I can still feel it.
The icy steel.
The cheers of the crowd.
The helplessness.
Then...
I remembered something strange.
I noticed a familiar pair of silver eyes from afar staring at me filled with despair.
That was the last was the last thing I remember before my eyes short.
I've seen that eyes recently I wondered just then I remembered what Aria cousin said to me yesterday.
Was he the last person I saw before I took my last breath? But why didn't I remember anything about him? Also why dis he told me “I'm sorry, I'm I was late “ when I bearly know him?.
I have alot of questions in my mind and I need an answer for those questions.
"I'm sorry..."
"I was too late.”
These words had echoed in my mind the entire night.
I remembered Kieran standing there while I was condemned.
I remembered the people who watched me die.
Yet somehow...
None of those memories disturbed me as much as the expression on Darius Ravencrest's.
He looked guilty.
He didn't looked relieved like others.
He looked… Broken.
I slowly sat up.
A quiet sigh escaped my lips.
"...Why does my heart hurt whenever I look at him... when I barely know him?"
These question lingered unanswered.
While I was lost in my thoughts A gentle knock came from outside.
A maid stepped in.
"Young Miss?" She called.
"Breakfast is ready."
“Okay I'll be down."
I changed into an elegant cream-colored blouse tucked into a high-waisted black skirt. A fitted blazer rested neatly over my shoulders, complementing the effortless grace i carried. My long wine-colored hair flowed freely down my back, catching the morning light like polished silk.
I looked every bit the daughter of House Veyra.
Yet my reflection looked strangely distant.
I brush it off and went downstairs.
****DINNING HALL****
A table long enough to host twenty guests was set with an extravagant breakfast.
Fresh pastries.
Fruit.
Steaming tea.
Imported cheeses.
Crystal glasses sparkled beneath the chandelier.
The dining hall was already lively,
Mom and Dad were discussing.
The moment i entered, my mom's face brightened.
“Good morning mum, Good morning dad I said.
Morning my moon, she replied and gave me a hug.
"There she is."
My Dad stood immediately and embraced me. Morning darling he said
"Did you sleep well?"
I smiled softly.
"I did."
It was a lie. I said in my mind
"How is Mooncrest?"
"It's... interesting."
"Interesting?"
My father chuckled.
"I expected complaints. Your mother told me you nearly frightened the Crown Prince on your first day."
Mom laughed into her teacup.
"So the rumors reached you too?"
I nearly sighed.
News traveled fast among noble families.
"It wasn't intentional."
"Mmm."
My dad smiled knowingly.
A servant filled My tea cup.
My mom studied me carefully.
"You seem distracted."
"I'm fine."
"I know when my daughter is disturbed
I paused.
I lowered my eyes.
"Just adjusting." I said to mom, but she looked like she didn't buy that.
Mom reached across the table and gently squeezed my hand.
"If university ever becomes overwhelming..."
"...come home."
"We're your family."
No conditions.
No expectations.
Just warmth.
For a fleeting second...
I remembered eating stale bread alone in a leaking apartment during my previous life after my mom died.
No parents.
No home.
No one waiting for me.
My chest tightened.
"I almost broke into tears but I composed myself.
The break fast went smoothly, After I'm done with my breakfast I bid my parents good bye.
As I stepped out the house the drive was already waiting for me.
He opened the the door for me and I hopped in.
---
**Mooncrest Royal University**.
As usual, luxury vehicles filled the circular driveway.
Students poured across the marble courtyard.
The moment I stepped out of the Veyra limousine...
Someone tackled my arm.
"There you are!"
Aria. I called in excitement, we exchange hug.
Her bright smile could rival the morning sun.
"You almost made me attend first lecture alone."
"You would've survived." I said
"Barely." She replied
Aria dramatically placed a hand over her heart.
"I heard new professor is coming." Aria said.
Really? You always know all the things going on campus, I teased her.
I'll take that as a compliment, Aria said dramatically.
We walked toward the main building together.
For the first time since yesterday...
The weight in my chest eased.
***Lecture hall***
Halfway through their first lecture…
Seraphine hadn't heard a single word Professor Hale had said.
Aria glanced sideways.
She saw Seraphine’s tablet untouched while everyone else discussed the case study. She was staring blankly out the classroom window.
Then Arua waved her hands in front of Seraphine, Seraphine looked at her…"You've been zoning out since Professor Hale's Leadership seminar.” what's wrong?
Nothing Seraphine said and concentrate.
Some minutes later
Professor Hale closed his tablet.
"We'll continue this discussion next Wednesday."
Students immediately began shutting their laptops.
Conversations filled the lecture hall as everyone made their way outside.
Still distracted. Aria asked
Aria grabbed Seraphine's wrist before she could escape.
“Tell me whats troubling you “
"I'm perfectly fine."
"Liar."
"You spent an entire two-hour lecture staring out the window.”
"I have not."
"You absolutely have."
Seraphine looked away.
Aria folded her arms.
Then suddenly grinned.
"Oh no..."
"What?"
"Don't tell me what my cousin said to you yesterday is causing chaos in your head."
Seraphine frowned.
"...Your cousin?"
"Darius."
Silence.
For one brief moment...
Seraphine's heartbeat stumbled.
She recovered almost immediately.
"I was just tired."
"Mhm."
Aria narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
"You changed the subject."
"I didn't."
"You definitely did."
Before Aria could continue...
Her phone vibrated.
Class begins in five minutes.
She groaned dramatically.
"Saved by the timetable."
She grabbed Seraphine's hand.
"Come on."
As Aria pulled her toward the next lecture hall...
Seraphine unconsciously glanced back through the window.
Silver eyes flashed through her memory once more.
"I'm sorry..."
"I was too late."
She quietly clenched her notebook.
"...Why does my heart hurt whenever I look at him... when I barely know his name?"
---
***Ravencrest Holdings***
The towering glass skyscraper dominated the city's financial district.
Fifty-eight floors.
The headquarters of the kingdom's most powerful conglomerate.
Luxury cars lined the private entrance.
Executives stood waiting before the elevator doors.
The moment the black sedan stopped...
Every conversation ceased.
Darius Ravencrest stepped out.
Tailored black suit.
Silver cufflinks bearing the Ravencrest crest.
His expression remained unreadable as he walked through the lobby.
Every employee bowed.
"Good morning, Acting Alpha."
"Good morning, Chairman."
Without breaking stride, Darius acknowledged them with a slight nod.
Inside the executive boardroom...
A tense meeting was already underway.
A senior executive pushed forward a proposal.
"If we acquire the Ironclaw mines through bribery, we'll triple profits within the year."
Darius skimmed the document.
Then calmly closed the folder.
"No."
The room fell silent.
"The proposal relies on corruption."
"It also violates the alliance treaty."
He slid the file back.
"We don't build Ravencrest's future by stealing someone else's."
The executive's face paled.
"Prepare a legitimate offer."
"If they decline..."
"We walk away."
No one argued.
When Darius made a decision...
It was final.
---
Hours later...
His office overlooked the entire city.
Kai entered without knocking, carrying two cups of coffee.
"You've rejected three acquisitions today."
Darius accepted the coffee.
"They were bad investments."
Kai leaned casually against the desk.
"No."
"They were shortcuts."
A faint silence followed.
Kai studied his friend's face.
Then smiled.
"You know..."
"For the first time in years..."
"...you actually look like someone who wants to lively."
Darius's gaze drifted toward the skyline.
Far beyond it...
Beyond steel and glass...
Lay Mooncrest Royal University.
Lay Seraphine.
His voice was barely above a whisper.
"This time..."
"...I'll protect you without hiding."
Outside the office window...
Dark clouds slowly gathered overthe kingdom.
As though fate itself had heard his promise.
- Writer
