Ch 7- The Engagement Decree
920 Words
Seraphina had barely finished hiding her journal under her pillow when a sharp knock echoed through her room. Morning light streamed in too cheerfully for the doom she sensed coming.
Martha entered, looking unusually formal. "My lady, your father requests your immediate presence in the main study. It concerns a message from the Emperor himself."
Seraphina's stomach performed a perfect backflip. "The Emperor? Tell him I've joined a convent. Or discovered a sudden allergy to politics."
Martha simply raised an eyebrow. "He was quite insistent."
Duke Valtoria waited behind his massive oak desk, a sealed imperial letter open before him. His expression was a mix of satisfaction and mild bewilderment as Seraphina entered, still in a simple morning gown that somehow made her look like a silver-haired goddess who'd rolled out of bed effortlessly.
"Seraphina," he began without preamble, "the Emperor has proposed a formal engagement between our house and Duke Adrian Valdermoth of Blackthorn. It is a political match to stabilize the north-south power balance. His Grace's northern forces and our southern trade networks would create a formidable alliance."
Seraphina froze mid-curtsy. The words hit like another metaphysical truck.
Engagement?! Already?!
A vivid flashback slammed into her: in the original Crown of Thorns and Roses, this exact betrothal had been the beginning of the end for Seraphina. The marriage isolated her from court, gave Adrian legal control to quietly dismantle her influence, and set the stage for her eventual "accidents." By the time the guillotine came, House Valtoria had been too weakened to protest.
No. Hell no. This is speedrunning my death route!
She blurted out the first sabotage that came to mind. "Father, that's… very sudden. I'm honored, truly, but I fear I'm far too sickly for such a match. The northern winters would finish me off in a month. Cough, cough. See? Delicate constitution. Practically consumptive."
Duke Valtoria stared at her, utterly confused. The daughter who once demanded the finest furs and demanded audiences with powerful men was now claiming frailty?
"Seraphina, you rode for six hours last spring without complaint and attended three balls in one week."
She fidgeted, twisting her fingers together. "Well, yes, but… I'm also not worthy. My reputation is… tarnished. The Duke deserves someone more suitable. Pure. Graceful. Not someone who falls into fountains. I'd only embarrass House Valtoria."
Her father leaned back, eyebrows climbing higher. "This sudden humility is… unexpected. Yesterday you were suggesting advanced trade logistics like a seasoned general. Today you're too sickly and unworthy?"
Seraphina laughed nervously. "Character development? Recent near-death experience? I've seen the error of my ways and now aspire to be a quiet, unremarkable wife in a cottage somewhere. Far from alliances. Very far."
Before her father could respond, the study doors opened. Duke Adrian Valdermoth entered with the quiet authority of a man who conquered blizzards for fun. His black-and-silver attire made the room feel smaller.
Those cold silver eyes scanned the space before locking directly onto her.
Time slowed.
Seraphina's heart stuttered. Across the room, their gazes met,violet panic meeting glacial silver intrigue. Adrian's expression hadn't changed much for the world, but she caught the subtle shift,the slight tilt of his head, the way his sharp gaze softened at the edges as he took in her fidgeting hands and barely concealed terror.
He's looking at me like I'm a puzzle he wants to take apart slowly, she thought, cheeks warming. This is bad. This is very slow-burn dangerous.
"Lady Valtoria," Adrian said, voice low and smooth. He inclined his head, but his eyes stayed on her. "You seem… unsettled this morning."
Duke Valtoria gestured for Adrian to sit. "We were just discussing the Emperor's proposal. My daughter expresses some… concerns about her suitability."
Seraphina sank into a chair, trying to look demure while her leg bounced under the table. Adrian took the seat across from her, close enough that she could smell that faint pine-and-steel scent again. He watched her every small movement, the way she bit her lip, how her fingers drummed nervously on her knee.
Instead of irritation, something almost warm flickered in his silver eyes.
Endearing. The ruthless Northern Duke found her nervous chaos endearing.
"I appreciate your caution, Lady Valtoria," Adrian said, addressing her directly while still speaking to the room. "Most in your position would leap at the alliance. Your hesitation is… refreshing."
Seraphina's modern brain screamed. He's supposed to be cold and threatening! Why does he look like he wants to study me under candlelight for the next ten years?
She tried one last clumsy sabotage. "Your Grace, the north is so… cold. And I'm prone to dramatic fainting spells. Last week I nearly died falling down stairs. Imagine the scandal if I faint at our wedding. Or accidentally invent new trade routes during the ceremony. Very un-ladylike."
Adrian's lips twitched the barest hint of that rare chuckle from the garden. "I find I'm growing rather fond of your unexpected talents. And I assure you, Blackthorn Castle has excellent healers."
Duke Valtoria looked between them, clearly sensing the shift in dynamics but pressing forward. "The formal discussions will begin today. This match serves the Empire."
Seraphina clutched the edge of her chair, pulse racing. The engagement was happening whether she liked it or not. In the novel, this had sealed the villainess's fate.
But the man watching her now didn't look like he wanted to isolate and destroy her.
He looked like he wanted to understand her.
And that might be more dangerous than any execution order.
- Writer
