Three days...
Three.
Whole.
Days!
Seraphina paced back and forth in her home library, the smell of books and ink having become a calming scent for her. After all the time she'd spent studying here the first time she was reborn, she'd grown to love the scent.
It was calming…
Or---
It used to be!
Today, her heels clicked sharply against the polished floor of her room, echoing her growing frustration...
"He should know by now!"
She stopped.
Checked the date and time, making sure that she'd been right about the ambush. And once more she confirmed that---
Indeed!
Her information had been correct!
She started pacing again.
"If he followed the information, he would have caught them by now!" she muttered to herself like a paranoid freak. "And then---!"
She threw her hands into the air.
"And then he should have come running to me, begging for my hand in marriage like a sensible person!"
Her voice carried throughout the rows and rows of books, echoing down the empty halls. But the only thing that answered her was silence...
Sera clicked her tongue.
"Men!"
She snapped, growing even more frustrated.
"Unbelievable!"
She opened the huge French doors onto the patio and stepped outside. Taking in a deep, calming breath, she leaned onto the railing and looked out over the capital. The houses were all different sizes and shapes; some were massive schools, others were cute little shops.
The church tower reached high above the rest, and the town center was adorned with a water fountain where everyone gathered to wash their clothes. And there, just a stone's throw away from the center, stood the castle with its white stone and lush green garden.
It was beautiful.
Peaceful even...
Completely unaware of the disaster looming over it.
"But what if the idiot ignored it?" She muttered, her fingers tightening against the railing. "What if he thought I was just some delusional human and thought it was all a joke?"
Her jaw clenched.
"So--- I'm going to die all over again because that lazy sod didn't bother to get off his butt?"
SERIOUSLY?!
She let out a frustrated sigh, throwing herself onto one of the patio furniture. Without meaning to, her mind drifted to all the possible ways she had died so far.
Crushed: 2
Stabbed: 1
What was it going to be this time?
Burned?
Drowned?
Mauled by wild goblins?
Take your pick...
"And then it all resets," she mumbled, watching the clouds above move with no goal in mind or worry in the world.
Her shoulders slumped slightly.
"I don't want to go through that again."
She remembered the humiliation all over again and how fresh the pain was every single time. And with every time she'd been reborn, she'd tried different avenues to try and stop the fate that would be her doom. She'd honestly believed that once the Demon Lord had confirmed the information she'd provided, then he'd be back here in no time.
And she'd have an in to stop the war from breaking out in the first place!
That had to be the key to breaking this cycle, right?
Stop the war = not dying
She'd tried all other alternatives…
And if this didn't work then---
Her eyes sharpened.
"No!"
She straightened, standing once more and pacing the patio now.
"If he didn't listen," she muttered, her gaze drifted toward the door as if she could manifest him there by will alone! "Then I'll just go back and drag him to the nearest church myself."
She paused.
Wondering...
"Do demons even do church weddings?"
But after a quick think---
"…I'll figure it out!"
She marched towards the door.
Reached for the handle and---
Suddenly, three sharp knocks greeted her, and her maid stuck her head in, scaring Sera through the roof! Seriously, for a second there she believed she'd somehow managed to summon the vexing demon...
"Lady Seraphina," the maid said, looking a bit confused at seeing her mistress's startled expression. "His Majesty, King Leopold Reinhart, and Lady Elena Everhart have come to visit."
Sera froze.
Leo and Elena?!
And then she remembered.
"…Oh!"
Right...
In all of her lives, they would come to call on her to tell her the "news".
She rolled her eyes and went back onto the patio, bracing for what was about to come.
"Send them in!"
She smoothed her dress quickly – more out of habit than necessity – and turned just as the doors opened.
Leo entered first – of course he did! His back was wired straight, and the second his eyes landed on Sera, she could see how guarded he was. Watching her as she might explode at any moment…
Behind him came Elena. And she looked as soft and radiant as she always did, smiling gently as she bowed her head respectfully.
Some things never change...
Sera stood.
"Your Highness. Lady Elena," she greeted, standing and curtsying the way it was proper.
Leo gave a court nod, but didn't relax.
As if he were trapped in the serpent's den...
"Lady Seraphina," Elena replied warmly, stepping forward. "I hope we're not intruding."
"Not at all," Sera replied, going for the polite route. Not that it mattered if she tried to explain. They wouldn't take it well if she told them that she'd actually been on the way to the Demon Lord's castle – again!
Oh, and why go there?
To convince the horned devil to marry her so she hopefully would break the loop of constantly dying when the war broke out...
Elena shared a nervous glance with Leo, and while Sera already knew what was about to come, it still hurt. Not because she loved Leo still – if her childhood obsession even could be called that. But because their once vibrant friendship had somehow been reduced to this.
With him watching her like she was a dangerous animal…
Sighing, Sera knew she couldn't fault him – much. She'd been despicable and spoiled in her previous life, sick with envy over every little thing. She'd been chasing a dream, and when she finally had been forced to face reality---
"We actually came to invite you," Elena said carefully, as Sera offered them a seat. Elena sat obediently, and Leo pulled his chair close to her, using his body as a shield to protect her.
"To our engagement celebration."
She hesitated slightly, nervously fidgeting with her hands.
"It will be held in a few days and I… Well--- I understand if it's too soon, but---!"
Sera tilted her head.
"No, that sounds about right."
She spoke without thinking.
Leopold frowned.
"What?"
Realizing her mistake, Sera quickly waved a hand.
"I mean, in all timelines--- erm, historically speaking, the king always insisted on a quick engagement announcement."
A beat.
Leopold blinked – suspicious.
Sera forced a smile.
She'd better be more careful in the future…
"Anyways, I'd be happy to attend," she continued quickly, gesturing for the maid to bring in some tea and sweets. "Tea?"
Leo didn't look convinced. In fact, he looked even more suspicious...
"You're taking this rather well," he said slowly, accepting the tea.
But didn't drink it.
"Should I not?" Sera asked, all innocence – this time! But to be fair, in her previous life, Sera had thrown a fit and threatened to kill Elena. Not that she'd ever actually intended to make good on that promise, but it had been one of the many deciding factors of how she ended up at the bottom of a cell in her first life…
"That would be more consistent with your character," he bit out, his eyes cold and guarded.
Ouch!
But again…
Fair...
"I have no intention of ruining your relationship with Lady Elena," Sera replied, shrugging lightly.
She meant that!
After all these different lives, she knew they were perfect for each other.
In a way that Sera and Leo never were...
"In fact," she added, turning to the lady in question, her smile softening just slightly. "If you would allow it, Lady Elena. I want to become your friend."
A pause.
Then---
Elena's face lit up.
"Truly?!"
"Yes."
"I would love that!"
"Sera---!"
Leopold cut in sharply, stepping forward.
His tall figure was as imposing as a thundercloud.
"This is exactly what I mean," he hissed, his gaze narrowing. "You expect me to believe this isn't some kind of scheme?"
Sera opened her mouth---
But Elena beat her to it.
"Leo, stop it."
The room stilled.
He turned to her, startled.
"Elena---"
"No," she said gently, but firmly as she stood up and walked to him. "You're being unfair."
Sera blinked.
Elena was so kind and gentle, she'd completely forgotten how decisive and strong she really was. Every time she witnessed any injustice, she'd always stood up for what was right, even if it put herself in danger.
She was a queen!
Worthy of Leo...
"If Sera is hurt, then she has every right to be," she continued, her brows furrowed in anger. "What happened--- It wasn't easy! So if she's angry with us, we deserve it!"
Her gaze softened.
"I'm so sorry," she said sincerely, addressing Sera again. "I never meant for things to---"
And just like that...
Sera laughed!
Genuine.
And light for the first time in what felt forever...
"Yeah," she said, shaking her head slightly. "I do have that right, but I reassure you, I don't feel that way at all."
And just for a second---
She was tempted to follow the same path as her second life.
Where she spent it with the two people she loved the most.
With her friends…
But if she wanted to break the loop---
She couldn't do that!
In fact, if they ever realized her plan…
They would hate her!
Ever since losing her family to a rogue demon attack, Elena had been terrified of them. She couldn't even see them without having a panic attack.
And Leo---?
He would do everything to keep Elena safe…
That much never changed – no matter how many lives they lived!
"You want me to believe that you've changed so much over the course of a couple of days?!"
Leo exclaimed.
Because---
Well, to him, it had only been a couple of days.
For Sera, it had been three lifetimes…
Sera exhaled slowly, her expression settling.
"I don't need to prove anything," she said simply, stirring her tea – completely unbothered. "Believe whatever you want."
That---!
Caught both of them off guard.
Leo frowned.
"You're not concerned about your reputation?"
Sera snorted.
"Concerned?"
She echoed, a small grin on her face.
She turned slightly, leaning back against the chair.
"Your Majesty," she said lightly. "My reputation is already reckless at best. You even annulled our engagement over it."
That landed!
She shrugged.
"So clearly, everything people think about me is based on things I've actually done."
Honesty.
Blunt.
Uncomfortable to hear...
"But I'm not angry," she added, putting her cup down. "And I don't want revenge."
(Been there, done that!)
(Sold the T-shirt---)
(And vowed to never return!)
"I just want peace. And to live a happy life for myself."
Silence followed.
Then---
Elena smiled.
That bright, hopeful Sera knew so well...
"I think that's wonderful," she said, genuine happiness in her voice.
Sera returned her smile
"Thanks, Lady Elena."
Leopold, however---
Still looked unconvinced!
"You expect me to believe this?" he said with a snort, folding his arms over his chest. "You would never have said something like this before."
Well---
No!
But she wasn't going to have this song and dance all day.
So she might just show him a little of the old Seraphina that he seemed to be so terribly missing today...
She looked up at him---
And grinned.
Sharp...
"Maybe I would, before..."
She tilted her head slightly.
"But maybe that version of me died the day you humiliated me, King Leopold. Publicly!"
Leo flinched.
Actually flinched.
Sera snickered internally...
Yep---
Still got it!
"I think it's best we leave," Leo announced, his ears turning red with shame.
And they should!
Although she did understand why he'd done what he'd done.
Annulling the engagement in public.
That way, there were witnesses.
And Sera couldn't twist his words later on…
Still---!
"If you think that's best, Your Highness," she agreed with a sweet smile.
Unbothered and drinking her tea...
Elena hid her laugh behind her hands.
"We'll see you at the celebration, then?" She asked as she handed Sera an official invitation.
"I'll be looking forward to it."
Sera glanced down at the invitation---
And scowled when she noticed the bottom line print.
PLUS ONE!
And who were they expecting her to bring?
Her horse?!
Oh well---
These things were standard, she supposed…
They took their leave shortly after.
The door closed behind them.
And just like that---
The patio fell quiet again...
Sera stood there for a moment.
Then---
She moved again.
Marching straight to her room! Once there, she ripped out her traveling dress – the one that looked the most like the comfortable clothes she had worn in her third life. It was a loose dress, allowing her to move freely when she shot her bow or wielded a sword.
"Unbelievable!"
Her eye twitched.
Anger bubbling.
She was going back to the Demon Castle. She wasn't sure what she was going to do, or even if she had a clear plan.
But she wasn't going to stop!
She would stop this war even if it were the last thing she did!
"Of all the times to be a stubborn---!"
She hissed under her breath.
Turned sharply.
Grabbed a knife from the table---
And hurled it across the room.
THUNK!
It embedded itself into the wall---
Right into the center of a very poorly drawn portrait, already maimed with several other knives embedded in the panel...
Of him!
White hair.
Annoyingly handsome face.
Stupidly calm expression.
Horns, curling like a crown...
"Lazy---!" she muttered, grabbing another knife.
THUNK!
"Good-for-nothing---!"
THUNK!
"Loafing---!"
THUNK!
"Who can't even---"
"Who's that?"
Sera froze!
Because---
That voice behind her.
Sounded awfully a lot like---!
Slowly – very slowly in fact! – Sera turned around. And there, standing in the open doorway like he owned the world...
Was him!
Demon Lord Kael'tharion Virex...
Of course!