Ch 2- Summoned Like A Tax Audit
1273 Words
Elena...no, Seraphina now...had barely finished her dramatic flop onto the bed when the older maid, Martha, cleared her throat with the politeness of a woman who had survived twenty years of noble tantrums.
"My lady, a royal messenger just arrived. His Highness the Crown Prince has summoned you to the palace tea this afternoon. He insists on your presence."
Seraphina sat up so fast her silver hair whipped her in the face. "Summoned? Like a court order? I thought I told you to say I had magical flu!"
The younger maid, Lily, winced. "We tried, my lady. But the Prince's letter was… quite firm. He wrote that 'Lady Seraphina's absence would be noted most unfavorably.'"
Seraphina groaned, dragging her hands down her perfect face. "Of course he did. Duke's daughter privileges. Can't even fake sick without it becoming a diplomatic incident."
She rolled off the bed with zero grace, landing in a heap of silk and lace. "Fine. Fine! We're doing this. But we're doing it my way. Low profile. Damage control mode activated."
The next hour was pure chaos.
Martha held up a deep crimson gown that screamed "seductress villainess." "The ruby one, my lady? You always say it makes the Prince unable to look away."
"Absolutely not," Seraphina said, waving it away like it was cursed. "That thing has 'main character interference' written all over it. Give me something boring. Beige. Beige is safe. Beige is what accountants wear to fade into spreadsheets."
The maids stared at her as if she'd grown a second head.
"Beige, my lady?" Lily whispered. "We… don't own beige."
Seraphina pinched the bridge of her nose. "Of course you don't. This world hates neutrals. Okay, fine. The least villainous thing we have. Pale blue? Soft pastels? Something that says 'I'm harmless, please don't execute me.'"
Martha pulled out a sky-blue gown with delicate silver embroidery. Still gorgeous, but at least it didn't scream 'I will step on you in heels.'
As they laced her up, Seraphina kept muttering under her breath.
"No flirting. No snide comments. If anyone brings up Lady Liliana, I will smile and say something nice. Like… 'She has great hair.' People like compliments about hair, right?"
Lily nearly stabbed her with a hairpin. "My lady, you once called Lady Liliana's hair 'peasant straw' in public."
Seraphina winced. "Past me was a walking HR violation. New me is… reformed. Zen. Buddha in a ballgown."
Martha tightened the corset a little too enthusiastically. "And the rumors about you poisoning her tea last month?"
"Exaggerated! Probably. I don't remember doing that. Wait,did original Seraphina actually try?"
The maids exchanged another worried look.
Seraphina slapped her cheeks lightly. "Focus. I got hit by a metaphysical truck yesterday. Today I'm surviving high society. Piece of cake. Or scone. Whatever they serve at evil royal teas."
She practiced in the mirror: big innocent eyes, soft smile. It came out looking like a beauty vlogger who just discovered filters. "Hi, I'm Seraphina, and I'm totally not plotting anything. Just here for the finger sandwiches."
Lily whispered, "My lady, you're scaring me."
"Good. I'm scaring myself too."
The carriage ride to the palace felt like being driven to her own execution. Seraphina kept fidgeting with her gloves, practicing apologies in her head.
Sorry for being a massive b***h.
Too modern.
Please forgive my past unbecoming conduct.
Too stiff.
My bad, girl. I was on one.
By the time they arrived at the royal gardens, her stomach was doing Olympic gymnastics.
The moment she stepped out of the carriage, the atmosphere shifted. Nobles in pastel gowns and tailored coats turned to look at her. Conversations died. Fans snapped open. Eyes narrowed in open disgust.
A duke's wife actually pulled her daughter behind her as if Seraphina might bite.
Oof. Okay. Reputation points... -1000.
She spotted the Crown Prince immediately.
Prince Ralph Valtor stood near a fountain, tall, golden-haired, and radiating main-character energy. He was everything the novel described,handsome in that "I could ruin your life but make it romantic" way.
But the second his eyes landed on her, his expression cooled into polite distance. He gave the smallest nod, then deliberately turned back to the person he was speaking with.
Distance maintained. Noted.
Seraphina's heart did a weird little flip. Not attraction,pure panic. In the novel, Seraphina had been obsessed with him. Love letters, staged "accidental" meetings, spreading rumors about any woman who got close. No wonder everyone looked ready to stone her.
They think I'm still that girl.
She squared her shoulders and walked forward, chin high but trying to look humble. Which, in this body, still came off annoyingly regal.
Then she saw her.
Lady Liliana,now apparently addressed as Princess Liliana after some early plot events,stood beside the Prince, golden curls glowing in the sunlight, looking like a literal ray of protagonist sunshine in a soft pink gown. She was laughing at something a countess said, radiating warmth.
Seraphina's modern brain short-circuited.
Okay. Apology time. Be normal. Be kind. Don't say 'slay queen.'
She approached, curtsying awkwardly. The movement felt too natural in Seraphina's body and too weird in her mind.
"Princess Liliana," she started, voice softer than she expected. "I… wanted to speak with you."
The entire garden seemed to lean in. Even the birds got quiet.
Liliana turned, her smile sweet and perfect. But Seraphina caught the micro-expression,subtle wariness in those bright blue eyes. The kind of look you give a dog that once bit you but is now wagging its tail.
"Lady Seraphina," Liliana said warmly, "how lovely to see you. Are you well?"
Seraphina swallowed. "Look, I know I've been… a total nightmare to you. The rumors, the comments, the whole 'evil stepsister' energy I had going on. I'm really sorry. Like, genuinely. I was going through some stuff,probably a quarter-life crisis or whatever,and I took it out on you. That wasn't cool. You didn't deserve any of it."
Silence.
Someone dropped a teacup.
Seraphina realized too late she'd slipped into modern cadence. "I mean… my behavior was most unbecoming and unworthy of my station. Please accept my sincere apology."
She added, awkwardly, "You've got, like… really pretty hair. Super shiny. Goals."
Liliana blinked. The sweet smile stayed plastered on, but her head tilted slightly, confusion flickering. "Thank you… Lady Seraphina. That's… very unexpected. I appreciate your words." She paused, eyes searching Seraphina's face for the trap. "Are you quite certain you're feeling alright?"
Prince Ralph was watching now, brows furrowed, maintaining a careful three-meter distance like she carried the plague.
Seraphina laughed nervously. "Yeah, totally fine. Just had a wake-up call. Literally. Like, truck-level wake-up call. You know how it is."
More silence.
Liliana's wariness deepened, though she covered it with a gentle laugh. "I'm glad to hear you're reflecting. Perhaps we can start anew?"
"Yes! New game plus. I mean,yes, that would be wonderful."
Seraphina curtsied again, this time nearly tripping over her own dress. As she straightened, she caught Prince Ralph's gaze. For a split second, something like curiosity flashed across his face before the cold mask returned.
Don't simp. Don't scheme. Just survive.
She backed away carefully, almost knocking into a servant carrying a tray of delicate pastries. "Whoops,my bad!"
As she retreated toward a quieter corner of the garden, heart pounding, Seraphina muttered to herself, "Ten out of ten for effort. Zero out of ten for execution. Why did I say 'goals'? Who says that to a princess?"
But underneath the panic, a small, rebellious smile tugged at her lips.
She'd done it. Apologized. Broken the script a little.
Maybe she wouldn't die at twenty-one after all.
But wait .....
- Writer
