CHAPTER ONE
871 Words
The Bride Who Refused the Crown
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The palace buzzed with excitement.
Maids hurried through marble hallways carrying silver trays adorned with diamonds and pearls. Musicians rehearsed beneath crystal chandeliers while noble guests from neighboring kingdoms filled the grand ballroom.
Today was supposed to be the happiest day in the empire.
The wedding of Crown Prince Adrian Ashbourne and Lady Seraphina Everhart.
No one noticed the bride standing motionless before the mirror.
Her reflection wore a breathtaking white gown embroidered with silver lilies, the symbol of the Ashbourne royal family. A diamond tiara rested upon her dark hair.
Beautiful.
Elegant.
Perfect.
Just as everyone expected.
But the woman staring back from the mirror was no innocent bride.
She was a queen who had already died once.
Seraphina slowly raised a trembling hand and touched the place where the executioner's blade had struck.
Nothing.
No scar.
No blood.
Only warm skin.
It was real.
She had truly returned.
A knock interrupted her thoughts.
"Your Highness?"
Her personal maid, Lily, peeked inside.
"It's almost time."
Seraphina stared at the girl.
Lily...
She remembered now.
Lily had disappeared two years after the wedding.
Everyone said she ran away.
But in her previous life...
Lily had secretly tried to warn her about Vivienne.
Before Seraphina could thank her...
Lily's body was found floating in the palace lake.
The case was quietly buried.
Just like everything else.
"Lily."
The maid blinked in surprise.
"Yes, Your Highness?"
Seraphina walked toward her.
Without warning...
She hugged her.
Lily froze.
"Y-Your Highness?"
"I'm glad you're alive."
Lily looked confused but gently smiled.
"I'm always here for you."
Seraphina closed her eyes.
Not this time.
This time, I'll save everyone I couldn't save before.
---
A loud knock echoed through the chamber.
"Princess Seraphina."
The deep voice belonged to Sir Cedric Hawthorne, captain of the royal guards.
"It is time."
Seraphina inhaled slowly.
Then...
She smiled.
Not because she was happy.
Because the game had finally begun.
---
The cathedral was breathtaking.
Thousands of white roses decorated every pillar.
Golden sunlight streamed through stained-glass windows, bathing the aisle in shimmering colors.
Hundreds of nobles stood as the doors opened.
"There she is..."
"The future queen."
"So beautiful..."
"His Highness is fortunate."
Soft whispers filled the hall.
At the altar stood Adrian.
Tall.
Handsome.
Dressed in black and gold royal attire.
The same face she had once dreamed of waking beside every morning.
The same face she watched smile while she was condemned to death.
For the first time...
She felt nothing.
No love.
No anger.
Only indifference.
That frightened her more than hatred ever could.
Her father gently squeezed her hand.
"Are you nervous?"
She forced a smile.
"No."
She wasn't nervous.
She was deciding how to ruin the king's future before it even began.
---
Hidden among the guests...
Lady Vivienne smiled sweetly.
She wore a pale blue gown and pretended to wipe away tears.
"My dear friend is finally getting her happy ending."
The nobles admired her kindness.
No one saw the satisfaction hiding behind her eyes.
In another life...
Seraphina never noticed that smile.
Now...
She knew it was the smile of someone celebrating a victory.
Enjoy it while you can.
---
The Archbishop raised his hands.
"We gather today to unite these two souls before heaven."
Adrian reached for Seraphina's hand.
She looked at it.
The same hand that later signed her death warrant.
His fingers lingered in the air.
Waiting.
The cathedral became silent.
Everyone smiled.
The vows began.
"Do you, Adrian Ashbourne..."
"I do."
Without hesitation.
Without emotion.
Then...
The Archbishop turned toward Seraphina.
"And do you, Seraphina Everhart, accept Adrian Ashbourne as your lawful husband—"
"I don't."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
The words echoed through the cathedral like thunder.
The Archbishop blinked.
"Pardon?"
"I said..."
Seraphina lifted her chin.
"I don't."
Gasps erupted throughout the hall.
A noblewoman dropped her fan.
Someone's wine glass shattered.
Adrian stared at her as though she had spoken another language.
"Seraphina..."
"What are you doing?"
She met his eyes.
For the first time...
She wasn't looking at the man she loved.
She was looking at the man who would one day destroy her.
"I'm correcting the greatest mistake of my life."
She removed the engagement ring from her finger.
The diamond sparkled beneath the sunlight.
Then...
She placed it into Adrian's stunned hand.
"This marriage ends..."
"...before it even begins."
Without another word...
She turned around.
Lifted the hem of her wedding dress.
And walked away.
The cathedral exploded into chaos.
No one noticed one man standing near the last row.
A tall figure dressed in black military uniform.
Silver eyes.
Cold expression.
Grand Duke Kael Draven.
The kingdom's most feared commander.
As Seraphina walked past him, he lowered his voice so only she could hear.
A faint smile touched his lips.
"Welcome back... Your Majesty."
Seraphina's footsteps faltered.
Her blood ran cold.
She slowly turned toward him.
Their eyes met.
How...
How could he possibly know?
Kael merely inclined his head, as if greeting an old ally rather than a runaway bride.
And before she could ask a single question, he whispered one final sentence.
"The second game has finally begun."
End of Chapter One
- Writer
