The woman They buried

Chapter 1: The Woman They Buried (Opening) Darkness. Not the darkness of night. Not the darkness behind closed eyes. This darkness was alive. It pressed against Seraphina Vale from every direction, swallowing every breath she fought to take. Her fingers slammed against rough wood above her. Bang! Bang! Bang! The coffin didn't move. She clawed at it again, splinters tearing into her skin until blood ran beneath her fingernails. "Help..." Her voice was barely a whisper. No one answered. Above her, the sound came again. Thud. A shovel of earth struck the coffin. Another followed. Thud. Then another. Each heavy impact buried her deeper beneath the ground. Each one stole another piece of the precious air trapped inside the wooden box. Panic gripped her chest. "No..." She forced herself to stop. Panic would only kill her faster. She closed her eyes and took the slowest breath she could manage. Think. There had to be a way out. There had to be. Her trembling hands searched every corner of the coffin. Solid oak. Iron nails. No cracks. No escape. Only death. Tears rolled silently down her cheeks. She wasn't crying because she was afraid. She was crying because she finally understood. Everything had been a lie. The Crown Prince's love. The King's justice. The loyalty of the nobles. Every promise had been built on deception. A bitter smile touched her lips. "Congratulations..." "You finally won." Her thoughts drifted back to the execution square only minutes earlier. Thousands of people had gathered to watch her die. Some shouted curses. Some threw stones. Some cheered. Not one voice spoke in her defense. She had searched the crowd until the very last moment. Searching for someone. Anyone. Her father. Her mother. Commander Lucien Ashford. Even Prince Adrian. Especially Adrian. The man who had once knelt beneath a blooming white rose tree and slipped a sapphire ring onto her finger. "I'll protect you forever." She remembered every word. Every smile. Every promise. When the judge sentenced her to death, Adrian hadn't argued. He hadn't stepped forward. He hadn't even looked into her eyes. He simply watched. Cold. Silent. Untouchable. As though she meant nothing. A tear escaped despite her efforts. "I loved you..." The words disappeared into the darkness. Another shovel of earth crashed above her. Thud. The coffin creaked beneath the growing weight. Her heartbeat quickened. Air. She needed air. Every breath now burned like fire inside her lungs. She pressed both hands against the lid one final time and screamed with every ounce of strength she had left. "Someone!" "Please!" "Help me!" Silence answered. Then... Very faintly... Church bells rang above the ground. One... Two... Three... The kingdom was celebrating. Celebrating the execution of its greatest traitor. If only they knew the truth. She had never betrayed the kingdom. She had never stolen military secrets. She had never murdered anyone. Every piece of evidence against her had been forged. Every witness had lied. Yet the trial had lasted less than an hour. The verdict had been decided long before she entered the courtroom. She laughed. A broken... Hopeless laugh. "So this..." "...is justice." Her strength faded. Her arms fell to her sides. Her heartbeat slowed. The darkness became colder. Heavier. Then... A warm golden light appeared inside the coffin. At first, it was no bigger than a candle flame. Seraphina frowned. Impossible. There was no light beneath the earth. The tiny flame floated silently before her. It grew brighter. Warmer. Gentler. Until the entire coffin glowed with soft golden light. A voice echoed from everywhere at once. Ancient. Calm. Neither male nor female. "Seraphina Vale." She looked around in confusion. "Who's there?" "You have reached the end of one life." "But your story is unfinished." Her breathing grew steady. The burning pain in her chest slowly disappeared. The voice continued. "If the wheel of time turned once more..." "...what would you seek?" She closed her eyes. Images flashed before her. Her parents. Lydia. The courtroom. The coffin. Adrian. Then... Lucien. Standing silently beneath the rain. Watching her burial with eyes filled with regret. When she opened her eyes again... There was no hesitation left inside them. "I don't want another peaceful life." "I don't want another chance to love." "I want the truth." The golden light pulsed. "And if the truth demands blood?" Her answer came without a moment's hesitation. "Then blood will be paid." The light became brighter than the sun. "So be it." The coffin vanished. The darkness shattered into thousands of pieces. Seraphina felt herself falling through endless light. Then— "Lady Seraphina!" A frightened voice called her name. Her eyes flew open. "Lady Seraphina!" The frightened voice echoed through the room. Seraphina's eyes flew open. She sat upright so quickly that the silk blanket slipped from her shoulders. Her chest rose and fell as she struggled to catch her breath. Air. Fresh, clean air. She inhaled deeply again and again, almost afraid it would disappear. No coffin. No suffocating darkness. No weight pressing down on her. Her trembling hands immediately reached for her face, her neck, her chest. She was alive. "My Lady?" The voice came again, softer this time. Seraphina slowly turned her head. Standing beside the bed was a young woman wearing a simple blue maid's dress. A silver tray rested in her hands, carrying a teapot and a freshly baked loaf of bread. Brown hair. Gentle hazel eyes. A kind smile. Lydia. The tray slipped from Lydia's hands. Porcelain shattered across the floor. "My Lady!" She hurried to the bedside. "Are you hurt?" Seraphina stared at her as if she had seen a ghost. "Lydia..." "Yes?" Without another word, Seraphina wrapped her arms around the young maid. Lydia froze. "My... My Lady?" Tears rolled silently down Seraphina's face. In her previous life, Lydia had disappeared only days after the royal banquet. Everyone said she had stolen jewelry and fled the kingdom. Months later, Seraphina learned the truth. Lydia had been murdered. She had died because she had witnessed something she was never meant to see. "I'm sorry," Seraphina whispered. "So... so sorry." Lydia gently patted her back. "It must have been a terrible dream." Seraphina closed her eyes. No. It had not been a dream. She remembered every second. The trial. The execution. The coffin. The golden light. The promise. Slowly, she released Lydia and looked around the room. Sunlight streamed through the tall windows. White curtains swayed in the morning breeze. Fresh roses filled the room with their sweet fragrance. Everything was familiar. Everything belonged to another life. She climbed out of bed and walked toward the large mirror. The woman reflected in the glass was younger. Her silver hair fell neatly over her shoulders. Her violet eyes still carried innocence. There were no bruises on her wrists. No scars left by iron chains. No hopelessness in her expression. She looked exactly as she had... Three years ago. Her heartbeat quickened. She turned toward the calendar hanging beside the fireplace. The date froze her where she stood. The Fifteenth Day of the Blossom Moon. Three years before her execution. One day before the Royal Spring Banquet. One day before Crown Prince Adrian Blackwood announced their engagement. One day before her nightmare truly began. A slow smile appeared on her lips. Not a smile of happiness. A smile of certainty. She had been given another chance. This time... She already knew every move her enemies would make. "My Lady?" Lydia watched her with worried eyes. "Should I send for the physician?" Seraphina shook her head. "No." "You look pale." "I've never been more awake." A knock sounded at the bedroom door. "Come in," Lydia called. An elderly servant entered and bowed respectfully. "My Lady, a royal messenger has arrived." Seraphina's smile disappeared. "A letter from His Highness, Crown Prince Adrian Blackwood." The servant held out a sealed envelope marked with the royal crest. She accepted it without a word. She knew exactly what was written inside. In her previous life, she had treasured every letter Adrian sent. She had believed every loving word. Every promise. Every lie. She broke the seal. The elegant handwriting was unmistakable. *"My dearest Seraphina,* *Tomorrow will become the happiest day of our lives. Wear the emerald gown. You always look beautiful in green.* *Forever yours,* *Adrian."* Forever yours. The words made her laugh quietly. Without hesitation, she walked to the fireplace. She held the letter over the flames. The fire caught instantly. Within moments... Every promise had turned to ash. Lydia gasped. "My Lady!" "That was from the Crown Prince!" Seraphina watched the last blackened fragment disappear. "So was every lie." Far away... Inside the Royal Palace... Commander Lucien Ashford suddenly stopped signing a military report. A sharp pain spread across his chest. His gray eyes lifted toward the distant Vale Estate. For the first time in three years... He whispered her name. "Seraphina..." Then, almost too quietly to hear, he added, "So... fate has chosen to begin again." The flames danced quietly inside the fireplace. Seraphina watched the last piece of Adrian's letter turn to ash. Strangely... She felt nothing. No sadness. No regret. Only relief. The woman who had once waited eagerly for his letters no longer existed. She had died inside that coffin. "My Lady?" Lydia hesitated before speaking. "Should I prepare the emerald gown for tomorrow's banquet?" Seraphina turned toward the wardrobe. Several elegant gowns hung neatly inside. White. Silver. Blue. And one black gown embroidered with tiny silver stars. She reached for the black one. "I'll wear this." Lydia blinked in surprise. "The black gown?" "Yes." "But the Spring Banquet is a celebration." Seraphina smiled faintly. "For some people." She laid the gown across the bed before opening a wooden jewelry box. Diamonds sparkled beneath the morning light. Emerald necklaces. Ruby earrings. Pearl bracelets. In her previous life, she had chosen the largest emerald necklace Adrian had given her. This time... She picked up a simple silver chain with a single sapphire. Lydia looked puzzled. "My Lady, that necklace is much less expensive." "I know." "It doesn't match the dress." "It matches me." Lydia smiled awkwardly. "You really have changed." Seraphina looked into the mirror again. She wasn't trying to look beautiful anymore. She wanted to look unforgettable. Someone who couldn't be controlled. Someone no one would underestimate. A knock echoed from outside. "My Lady." The family steward bowed respectfully after entering. "His Grace wishes to see you in his study." Her father. Duke Alexander Vale. Seraphina's heartbeat slowed. In her previous life... The Duke had defended her until the very end. But even he had been forced to accept the King's judgment. He had died one year after her execution. Broken by grief. This time... She would save him too. She followed the steward through the long marble corridors of the Vale Estate. Portraits of her ancestors lined the walls. As a child, she had walked these halls without a care. Today... Every step carried purpose. The study door opened. Alexander Vale stood beside the window, reading official reports. Tall. Proud. His dark hair was touched with silver, but his sharp blue eyes remained as strong as ever. When he looked up, a warm smile crossed his face. "Seraphina." He opened his arms. She crossed the room and embraced him tightly. The Duke laughed softly. "Well, this is unexpected." "You haven't hugged me like this since you were a little girl." Seraphina closed her eyes. "I wanted to." He gently rested a hand on her shoulder. "You seem different today." "Do I?" "You look..." He studied her for a moment. "...older." She smiled. "Maybe I finally learned something." The Duke chuckled. "I hope you learned not to trust handsome princes too easily." Seraphina's smile faded. He had said the same thing three years ago. Back then... She had laughed. Now... His words felt like a warning from fate itself. Alexander walked toward his desk and picked up a sealed document. "A royal messenger arrived this morning." "I know." "The King plans to announce your engagement tonight." Seraphina remained silent. The Duke watched her carefully. "If your heart has changed..." "...you can still refuse." She looked at him in surprise. "You wouldn't object?" "My daughter." He smiled gently. "I'd rather see you unmarried than unhappy." Emotion tightened her throat. In her previous life... She had been so blinded by love that she never truly listened to her father. This time... She finally understood. A sudden knock interrupted the moment. A palace messenger hurried inside. He bowed deeply. "Your Grace." "The Commander of the Royal Guard has arrived." Alexander frowned. "Commander Lucien Ashford?" "Yes, Your Grace." "He requests a private audience with Lady Seraphina." Father and daughter exchanged a silent glance. Lucien had come. Earlier than history remembered. Outside the study window... Dark clouds slowly gathered above the Kingdom of Valeria. The future had already begun to change.The palace messenger stood silently at the door. Rain clouds gathered outside, covering the afternoon sun. Alexander looked from the messenger to his daughter. "Escort the Commander to the reception hall," he ordered. "Yes, Your Grace." The messenger bowed and left. Alexander turned back to Seraphina. "I don't know why Commander Ashford has come, but be careful. He isn't a man who visits people without a reason." "I understand." He smiled gently. "If anything troubles you, remember this." "You are my daughter before you are anyone's future wife." Seraphina nodded. "I won't forget." She left the study and walked through the long hallway toward the reception hall. Each step echoed against the polished marble floor. Her heart beat steadily. In her previous life... Lucien Ashford had barely spoken to her before the engagement. Why had he come today? The doors opened. Commander Lucien Ashford stood beside the window with his hands behind his back. His black military uniform was spotless. A silver cloak rested across one shoulder. The sword at his waist reflected the afternoon light. He turned as she entered. Their eyes met. For a long moment... Neither of them spoke. Then Lucien dismissed every servant with a single glance. The doors closed. Silence filled the room. Finally, Lucien spoke. "You remember." It wasn't a question. Seraphina held his gaze. "So do you." A faint smile crossed his face. "Good." She folded her arms. "I expected an explanation." "You'll have one." Lucien reached inside his coat and placed a folded document on the table. She opened it. Her breathing stopped. It was her execution order. Every word was exactly as she remembered. The King's signature. The royal seal. The charge of treason. Then she noticed something she had never seen before. A second page. Written in red ink. **Commander Lucien Ashford is forbidden from interfering with the execution. Any attempt to rescue the prisoner will be considered treason against the Crown.** Seraphina slowly looked up. "You tried to save me?" "I did." "What happened?" Lucien's expression darkened. "I never reached the execution grounds." "Why?" "I was stopped." "By whom?" "I don't know." Seraphina frowned. "You don't know?" He shook his head. "The soldiers who attacked me wore no royal crest." "They moved like trained assassins." "They weren't trying to kill me." "They were trying to delay me." A chill ran through her body. Someone had planned everything. Not just her death... But Lucien's absence as well. "There's more," Lucien said quietly. "The day you died..." "I received a letter." He removed another folded paper. The seal was black. Stamped with a silver raven. "I've never seen that symbol before," Seraphina whispered. "Neither had I." Lucien unfolded the letter. Only one sentence was written inside. **The woman must die before the kingdom learns the truth.** Seraphina felt the blood drain from her face. "The truth..." Lucien nodded. "Someone feared what you knew." "But I knew nothing." He looked directly into her eyes. "Perhaps." "Or perhaps..." "You knew something without realizing it." Before she could answer, hurried footsteps echoed outside. A young soldier knocked urgently. "Commander!" "The King demands your presence immediately." Lucien sighed. "They're watching every move I make." He walked toward the door before stopping beside her. "Tonight..." "Trust no one." "Not the servants." "Not the nobles." "Not even members of the royal family." He opened the door. "Oh..." He paused without turning around. "When Prince Adrian proposes tonight..." "Don't stand where history expects you to stand." Before Seraphina could ask what he meant... He was gone. She remained alone in the silent room. Her eyes drifted back to the silver raven symbol. For the first time... She realized her execution had never been about betrayal. It had been about a secret. A secret someone was still willing to kill for.By sunset, the Royal Palace shimmered beneath thousands of golden lights. Elegant carriages rolled through the palace gates one after another. Nobles dressed in silk and velvet climbed the marble steps while musicians welcomed them with a graceful melody. Seraphina stepped out of the Vale carriage. She wore the black gown. The moment she appeared, whispers spread through the crowd. "Isn't that Lady Seraphina?" "Why is she wearing black?" "I thought the Crown Prince asked her to wear emerald." "She looks... different." Seraphina ignored every stare. She climbed the grand staircase with calm, steady steps. Three years ago, she had walked into this palace dreaming of becoming the future Queen. Tonight... She entered as someone searching for the truth. Inside, the ballroom glittered beneath enormous crystal chandeliers. Hundreds of nobles filled the hall. Laughter echoed through the room. Servants carried silver trays filled with wine and delicate desserts. Everything looked exactly as she remembered. Everything except herself. "My Lady," Lydia whispered beside her. "Stay close," Seraphina replied. "If anything unusual happens, leave the palace immediately." Lydia looked confused. "But..." "Promise me." After a brief pause, Lydia nodded. "I promise." Before Seraphina could say another word, a familiar voice interrupted her. "Lady Seraphina." Prince Adrian Blackwood approached with his usual charming smile. His golden uniform sparkled beneath the chandeliers. Anyone looking at him would see the perfect future king. Only Seraphina knew the monster hidden behind the smile. "You look beautiful tonight," Adrian said warmly. "I expected the emerald gown." "I changed my mind." He laughed softly. "You've become unpredictable." "People change." His smile faded for the briefest moment. "Perhaps." The royal trumpets suddenly echoed through the ballroom. Every guest turned toward the grand staircase. King Aldric and Queen Eleanor entered together. The crowd bowed respectfully. The King raised one hand. "My loyal subjects." "Tonight marks a joyful occasion for the Kingdom of Valeria." Applause filled the hall. The Queen smiled elegantly. "Our beloved Crown Prince has chosen the woman who will one day stand beside him as Queen." Adrian stepped forward. His confident eyes never left Seraphina. He walked across the ballroom until he stood before her. Then, before the entire kingdom... He knelt on one knee. A servant presented a velvet box. Inside rested the sapphire engagement ring. The same ring Seraphina had once treasured. "Seraphina Vale," Adrian said. "Will you honor me by becoming my wife?" The ballroom became completely silent. Every noble watched. Every servant waited. The future of the kingdom seemed to rest upon her answer. Seraphina looked down at the ring. Then into Adrian's eyes. For a heartbeat... She remembered the coffin. The darkness. The sound of dirt falling above her. She took one slow step backward. "No." A gasp swept through the ballroom. Adrian remained frozen. "...What?" "I said no." His smile disappeared. "You must be joking." "I'm not." She spoke clearly so every person in the hall could hear. "I refuse this engagement." Silence. Complete silence. Even the musicians stopped playing. The Queen's graceful smile hardened. The King's face darkened. Whispers spread through the nobles like wildfire. "She rejected the Crown Prince." "Has she lost her mind?" "This has never happened." Adrian slowly stood. His voice remained calm... But his eyes had turned cold. "May I ask why?" Seraphina answered without hesitation. "Because I don't trust you." For the first time... Shock appeared on Adrian's face. Across the ballroom, Lucien Ashford watched everything. His expression never changed. But deep inside... Hope returned for the first time in three years. History had finally broken. And someone hiding among the nobles quietly slipped out of the ballroom. As the stranger disappeared into the shadows, a single silver raven pin flashed beneath the candlelight.The ballroom remained silent. Prince Adrian still held the sapphire ring in his hand. His smile had vanished. Every noble watched the two of them, waiting for someone to break the silence. Finally, King Aldric rose from his throne. "That is enough." His voice echoed through the hall. "If Lady Seraphina wishes to refuse, then the Crown will respect her decision." The guests exchanged surprised glances. No one had expected the King to end the matter so quickly. Seraphina noticed something strange. The King wasn't angry. He looked... Relieved. As though the engagement itself had never truly mattered. Queen Eleanor forced a graceful smile. "The celebration will continue." The orchestra began to play once more. Conversations slowly returned. But the atmosphere had changed. Every glance followed Seraphina. Every whisper carried her name. She calmly walked toward the balcony, needing a moment away from the crowd. The cool night air brushed against her face. For the first time since returning... She could think clearly. Then— A raven landed on the marble railing. Its feathers were darker than the night itself. Around its leg was tied a small silver ribbon. Seraphina carefully untied the message. Only one sentence was written. **If you want the truth, come to the Royal Library. Alone.** No signature. No seal. Only the drawing of a silver raven. Before she could look up again... The bird had disappeared. "Lady Seraphina." Lucien's voice came from behind. She turned. He stood in the shadows of the balcony. "I saw the message." "You know who sent it?" "No." "But I know it's dangerous." "Should I ignore it?" Lucien was silent for a moment. Then he answered. "If you ignore it..." "...you may never learn why you were killed." Seraphina folded the note. "I'm going." "I expected that." He stepped aside. "I'll stay nearby." She gave a small nod and quietly left the ballroom. The palace corridors were almost empty. Only a few guards remained on duty. Moonlight spilled through the tall windows, casting long shadows across the marble floor. At the end of the eastern corridor stood the Royal Library. Its heavy wooden doors were slightly open. She pushed them gently. Creak... The library was silent. Thousands of ancient books stretched from floor to ceiling. A single candle burned on a reading table. Beside it rested another black envelope. The same silver raven symbol. She opened it. Inside was a short letter. **You were never the target.** Her heart skipped a beat. She continued reading. **Someone wanted the House of Vale to fall.** **You were only the first sacrifice.** Suddenly— Bang! The library doors slammed shut. Every candle went out. Darkness swallowed the room. A cold laugh echoed between the bookshelves. "I wondered if you would come." A hooded figure stepped into the moonlight. Then another. Then a third. Three assassins. Each wore a silver raven pinned to a black cloak. One of them slowly drew his sword. "This time..." "...there will be no second chance." Seraphina reached for the heavy brass candleholder on the table. "If I survived death once..." "...I'm not afraid of you." The first assassin charged. Steel flashed through the darkness. She dodged just in time. The sword struck the table instead. Books scattered across the floor. The second assassin attacked from behind. She swung the candleholder with all her strength. It struck his shoulder. He staggered backward. The third raised a crossbow. He aimed directly at her heart. There was nowhere to run. Then— Whoosh! An arrow sliced through the darkness. It struck the crossbow before the assassin could fire. A second arrow followed. Then a third. The assassins immediately retreated. "Fall back!" One by one, they disappeared into the maze of bookshelves. Silence returned. Slow footsteps echoed through the library. Lucien Ashford emerged from the shadows, bow still in his hand. "You came." Seraphina lowered the candleholder. "You knew they were here." "I suspected." He picked up the letter from the floor. His expression changed the moment he read it. "What is it?" she asked. Lucien looked at her with grim determination. "The Silver Raven has returned." "The Silver Raven?" Seraphina repeated. "It was supposed to have been destroyed twenty years ago." He folded the letter. "If they're truly back..." "...then your execution was only the beginning." Outside... Lightning split the night sky. Far above the palace, hidden inside the highest tower... A mysterious figure watched the library through a narrow window. A black chessboard rested on the table before them. The figure picked up a white queen. Then slowly laid it on its side. "The first move is complete." The figure smiled. "Welcome back, Lady Seraphina."