Chapter 10
POV: Seraphina Vale
I woke up with a sharp pain in my eyes.
I had cried all night.
Living here felt strange… and terrifying.
My throat was dry. I sat up slowly, about to get out of bed, when a knock came from the door.
"Who is there?" I managed to say.
"The maids are here to attend to your needs, my lady."
The door opened, and they walked in, placing trays of food, water, and juice neatly on the table.
I blinked in surprise.
"What are all these for?" I asked.
"It is for you, my lady. The king said you should eat to replenish your strength. You will be seeing him for dinner this evening. Your dress will be given to you," one of the maids said, bowing.
"What is your name?" I asked.
"I am Elara Nyx, and this is my friend, Ophelia Lark," she replied.
I looked closely at Ophelia.
"You are the girl who was dancing at the ball. I remember you."
"I don't remember… I was possessed then," Ophelia said quietly.
"Please get ready. I don't want the king to punish us. I beg you, my lady," Elara pleaded.
I hesitated.
I don't want to go…
But looking at her, she seemed genuinely scared.
I can't let them suffer because of me.
I sighed softly.
"Fine. I will come. You can go now."
They bowed, about to leave.
"Wait," I called.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Yes, my queen," they both replied.
Queen… that is new.
"Is the king cruel? Would he really punish you because of me?" I asked.
"No, my lady. The king is not cruel. He is kind to his people… but he does not tolerate disobedience," Ophelia said.
They both bowed and left.
I looked at the food again.
"Ahh… God… I am now married to…"
I hissed.
"I don't even want to think of it."
But the food looked tempting.
And there was dessert too.
I gave in and started eating.
I was too hungry to resist.
Later, they brought several gowns.
I ran my fingers over them.
"Hmm… the devil has taste after all," I muttered.
Then another girl walked in.
She looked… familiar.
"The king said you should wear this particular dress," she said.
I studied her face.
"Are you Lucien's sister?"
She smiled slightly.
"You guessed right. I am Nova Draegor, his younger sister. Nice to meet you… sister-in-law."
She stretched out her hand.
I hesitated.
This family… they all have pale faces and glowing eyes.
Her eyes were grey—cold, but not unfriendly.
I shook her hand.
"Well, get dressed. He will be waiting for you in thirty minutes. Tell the guards to lead you to him. Don't waste time—my brother hates that," Nova said before leaving.
I opened the box she brought.
Inside was a dark green velvet gown with a slit at the side.
I lifted it.
It was beautiful.
Just like my eyes…
I quickly bathed and wore the gown. I left my hair flowing down and added some of the jewelry they brought. I wore black heels to complete the look.
When I stepped outside, a guard was already waiting.
"Let's go, my lady," he said.
I followed him in silence until we reached a door.
He opened it.
I hesitated.
What if he is angry…?
But I stepped in anyway.
The room was empty.
I looked around, alert.
Then—
A hand touched me from behind.
An electric shock ran through my body.
I didn't need to turn to know who it was.
But I did.
Those piercing blue eyes met mine.
"Shall we go?" Lucien said.
"Where are we going?" I asked.
"You will see."
He led me into another room.
A table was set.
Two chairs.
Wine.
And a single black rose.
He pulled out a chair for me. I sat down, and he took his seat opposite me.
There was lobster and vegetables on the table.
He served me.
"Why did you call me here?" I asked softly while eating.
"I see you like food," he said, watching me.
"That doesn't answer my question."
"You are my wife. Get used to it," he said calmly.
I frowned.
"I just want to know what you like," he added.
I dropped my spoon.
"You know what I want. I don't want you near me. I want a divorce. Send me home—and don't talk to me."
"Calm down, freckles. That cannot happen. We are bound together. You are mine," he said.
I stared at him in shock.
He stood and walked to a closet, bringing out a small box.
"Sera… this is a family heirloom. Passed down for generations. I want you to have it."
"I don't want it. I don't want anything from you," I refused.
"Take it," he said, his voice filled with power.
My body froze.
I couldn't move.
He stepped behind me, removed my necklace, and replaced it with his.
"And never take it off."
I nodded slightly.
His power… It's terrifying.
I returned to my seat and continued eating in silence.
POV: Lucien Draegor
After placing the necklace on her, I saw the fear in her eyes.
I regretted it immediately.
I shouldn't have used my power…
But she was too stubborn.
I watched her eat in silence.
She looked… beautiful.
Even doing something as simple as eating.
The room felt tense.
So I called for music.
A musician entered and began to play softly.
She started moving slightly to the rhythm.
"Will you dance with me, freckles?" I asked, extending my hand.
She hesitated.
Then she placed her hand in mine.
We began to dance.
Slowly at first.
Then more naturally.
The fear in her eyes began to fade.
When I held her, I felt something.
Something real.
Later, she moved more freely—just like she did at the ball.
We flowed together like a river and rain.
My hand rested lightly on her waist.
We stopped to catch our breath.
I was still holding her when she stepped back.
"I'm tired. I want to go to my room," she said softly.
"Guards."
They appeared immediately.
"Take her to her room."
"I can go by myself… thank you," she said before leaving.
And just like that—
She was gone.
And I missed her already.
What is happening to me…?
POV: Lilith Crowe
I saw his so-called wife leaving one of the guest rooms.
My chest tightened.
So I went to find Lucien.
"My love, how are you?" I said, hugging him.
He pushed me away.
"What is wrong with you, Lucien? Ever since you married that girl, you've changed," I said.
"Do not speak about my wife like that," he said coldly.
I froze.
His tone—
It was different.
"Why are you treating me like this? Lucien… I love you," I said, holding his hand.
"Let go of me. I like Seraphina. Even if she does not love me… I love her. And I am bound to her. There is nothing you can do about it," he said.
My heart dropped.
"It can't be over. You are mine, Lucien. No one else."
I turned and stormed off.
In the hallway, I met Faye.
"Faye, Lucien is falling for that girl. I think she has done something to him. He even called her his wife," I said angrily.
"I know he has changed. People used to fear his name. But now… everything is falling apart," Faye said.
"I will do anything to get him back. And I need your help."
"Help with what?" she asked.
"I need more power. That girl is going to be a problem—for me… and for what I had with Lucien," I whispered.
Faye looked around, then leaned closer.
"Let's go to Elara's grandmother's house."
"The maid's grandmother?" I asked, confused.