Chapter One – Part 2: The Bride Chosen by Fate
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A deep breath escaped Seraphina's lips as Margaret carefully lowered the ivory veil over her face. The thin fabric softened the world around her, making everything appear distant and dreamlike. For a fleeting moment, she wished it truly was a dream—one from which she would soon awaken to find herself back in the gardens of House De Armonte, reading beneath the old willow tree while her younger brother chased butterflies across the grass.
But reality was far crueler than dreams.
Today, she would leave that life behind forever.
The heavy oak doors of her chamber opened, revealing Lord Alessio De Armonte, the head of one of Asteria's oldest noble houses.
Time had not been kind to the once-proud nobleman. His broad shoulders now seemed weighed down by invisible burdens, and the streaks of silver in his dark hair had multiplied over the past year. Sleepless nights and endless political meetings had carved faint lines into his face, making him look much older than his fifty-three years.
For several long moments, he simply stood there, staring at his daughter.
His little girl...
The child he had once carried on his shoulders through the palace gardens.
The girl who used to tug on his sleeve whenever she wanted another bedtime story.
Now she stood before him dressed as a bride.
A bride he had failed to protect.
"You look just like your mother," he whispered.
Seraphina's eyes softened.
"You always say that."
"Because it's true."
A sad smile crossed Lord Alessio's lips before disappearing just as quickly.
He walked toward her, his polished boots echoing softly against the marble floor.
"I've rehearsed this conversation a hundred times," he admitted quietly. "But now that I'm standing here... I realize no father could ever find the right words."
Seraphina reached for his hand.
It was trembling.
Something she had never witnessed before.
Her father had faced wars, political assassinations, and countless betrayals without showing fear.
Yet today...
He looked completely broken.
"You don't have to apologize," she said gently.
His jaw tightened.
"But I do."
Silence filled the room.
Lord Alessio lowered his head, unable to meet her eyes.
"If I had been stronger... if I had seen the conspiracy sooner... none of this would have happened."
Months earlier, House De Armonte had been accused of secretly funding rebels who sought to overthrow the Crown.
The accusations were false.
Every noble who truly knew Lord Alessio understood that.
He had served the royal family faithfully for over thirty years.
He had fought beside the late king.
He had protected the borders during the Great Eastern Conflict.
He had never once betrayed Asteria.
Yet someone had forged documents.
Someone had bribed witnesses.
Someone wanted House De Armonte destroyed.
The royal council seized most of their lands while investigations continued. Their allies vanished overnight, unwilling to risk angering the Crown. Debts piled upon debts until the once-powerful family stood on the edge of complete ruin.
Only one offer remained.
A marriage alliance with the feared Duke Kael Draven Montecielo.
In exchange for the union, the investigation against House De Armonte would be suspended.
Their remaining lands would be returned.
Their family would survive.
But the price...
...was Seraphina's future.
Lord Alessio's voice cracked.
"I traded your happiness for our survival."
A single tear escaped Seraphina's eye before disappearing beneath her veil.
She stepped forward and embraced her father.
"No," she whispered. "You gave me a chance to save our family."
He closed his eyes tightly.
"I should have been the one making sacrifices."
"You already have."
She smiled through her tears.
"You spent your entire life protecting us."
The old lord held his daughter as though time itself had stopped.
Neither of them noticed Margaret quietly wiping tears from her own cheeks.
Outside, the cathedral bells rang once again.
It was time.
Lord Alessio slowly pulled away before offering his arm.
"Shall we?"
Seraphina nodded.
Together, they walked through the long corridors of De Armonte Manor for the very last time.
Portraits of generations past watched silently from the walls.
Every painting seemed to carry the same message.
Honor above all else.
As they reached the grand entrance, dozens of servants lined both sides of the staircase.
Some had worked for the family since before Seraphina was born.
Others had watched her grow from a mischievous child into the graceful woman she had become.
One by one, they lowered their heads.
"May the heavens protect you, My Lady."
"May happiness find you."
"We'll pray for you every day."
Seraphina smiled, though her heart felt unbearably heavy.
She wanted to remember every face.
Every voice.
Every corner of the home where she had laughed, cried, and dreamed.
Because deep inside...
She feared she might never return.
Outside, the royal carriage waited beneath the morning sun.
Its polished black exterior gleamed like obsidian, while the Montecielo crest—a silver wolf beneath a crescent moon—was carved into its doors.
Four black stallions pawed impatiently at the ground.
Royal guards stood perfectly still, their crimson cloaks fluttering in the autumn breeze.
Everything about the carriage reflected the power of the man who owned it.
Cold.
Elegant.
Untouchable.
As Seraphina placed one foot onto the carriage step, she paused.
For reasons she couldn't explain, she looked back.
The manor stood proudly behind her.
Its stone walls had sheltered generations of her family.
Its gardens held countless childhood memories.
This was goodbye.
Not just to her home.
But to the life she had always known.
She climbed into the carriage without another word.
The door closed.
The coachman cracked the reins.
Slowly, the carriage rolled away from House De Armonte.
With every turn of the wheels...
Seraphina felt as though fate was carrying her farther from the girl she once was...
...and closer to the man the entire kingdom called—
The Devil Duke.
To be continued in Chapter 1 – Part 3.
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