Sera snapped her spine straight, and the mask she wore in public slid into place without conscious effort. She took in the scene---
And quickly found Elena and Leo.
They looked so happy together…
Elena was smiling in a way only someone in love can do. Her blue eyes sparkled with joy, and when she turned to Leo, her cheeks always blushed red. She was dressed in a blue ballgown, which was adorned with gold embroidery and lace, making it look like it was adorned with the sun itself.
She looked like the perfect queen…
Leo stood next to her--- and seeing him had her grinning. He looked so much like the boy who used to bring her sweets to cheer her up whenever she was feeling particularly lonely. Or if her mother had broken one of her million promises, he would always take her out somewhere to make her forget about all it.
And he was looking at Elena with a smile that he'd never shared with her…
The first time Sera had watched them, she had been inflamed with rage. The second time, it had been bittersweet – hurtful, but something that gave her genuine joy.
Now seeing them---
There were some bittersweet feelings left in her system. But mostly because she knew that in this lifetime, they wouldn't have any sort of friendship as they had back then...
The announcer stood waiting for them, and with a posture she'd polished over several lifetimes, she handed him the card.
And tried to ignore that some of the people had already noticed them.
Were sticking their heads together.
Whispering…
Wondering who the man next to her was!
The announcer looked down---
And began reading...
"Lady Seraphina von Eidelweiss, accompanied by her fiancé ---"
A pause.
His eyes went wide, glancing between the name and the demon next to her.
Choked!
Before his entire body stiffened with fear.
"…Demon...Lord… Kael'tharion… Virex…!"
Silence!
Actually, this might have been the silence to end all silence. Sera could have dropped a needle, and it could still have been heard a mile away.
Then---
Chaos!
Gasps.
Shock!
Fear...
It spread like a disease through the room, infecting every corner of it.
For a second, Sera made the mistake of glancing over at her previous friends. Her heart hurt seeing Elena tremble behind Leo like that. And the look of horror on Leo's face actually hurt. As if she had somehow turned into something disgusting before his very eyes.
Her childhood friend---
Was gone!
And she had to make peace with that…
Sera swallowed.
Hard!
Her throat felt tight, and her fingers flexed against the fabric of Virex's shirt. But remained mindful to keep her hand relaxed enough not to hurt him.
So far so---
Good?
Well, time would tell!
Her pulse thundered in her ear---
But she walked forward anyway.
Step by step...
Toward them!
Toward Leo.
Toward Elena---
Who looked like she might collapse!
Suddenly, she felt Lord Virex shift next to her. His hand slid over hers, and he smiled down at her. A practiced and cool smile that didn't reach his eyes.
He was playing his part…
She smiled back.
Even if he was just pretending---
It calmed her.
So…
She couldn't help but feel grateful.
Suddenly, the room erupted with actions. Guards moved with such derisiveness and swiftness that a small gasp of surprise escaped Sera's mouth. Before she knew what was happening, Lord Virex had her arm around her, shielding her. If her mind hadn't been so shocked, she would have questioned his motives. But they were now surrounded by shiny swords and angry faces…
Dang!
Would Leo really order his men to kill them?
Here?
Now?!
Of all the scenarios that had run through her mind, she never would have imagined that he would do anything that reckless…
"What is the meaning of this?!"
Leo stepped forward, fury blazing. His gaze snapped between them, clocking their intimate pose--- and just like that, something inside him seemed to break. His eyes flared with rage, and whatever warmth he had leftover for his childhood friend vanished instantly...
"You bring a demon into my court?!"
His voice echoed.
Colder!
Rumbling with something that made him sound more animal than the demon next to her...
"Your invitation didn't imply that there would be restrictions for certain individuals!"
Her voice was calmer than she felt.
Steadier too…
Sera had no idea where she got it from or why she sounded so unbothered. But after the initial shock, she felt her back straighten, uncurling herself from Lord Virex's protection and facing Leo.
"I brought my fiancé," she announced, loudly and clearly for everyone to hear. "Is there anything wrong with that?"
Leo was shaking with rage!
"Fiance?!"
He basically spat the words.
His lips twisted between a sneer and a grimace.
"Are you kidding me?!"
He let out a sound that was too cruel to be laughter.
Too sinister to be amusing…
"Is this your retaliation? Your revenge because I ended our engagement?"
He threw fact in her face like a weapon.
Which actually hurt more than a sword to the chest…
However, as much as Sera was pained by his words, besides her, they had an entirely different effect on Lord Virex.
He--- stilled!
Only if someone paid very close attention to it would they have noticed.
But they didn't...
So no one would be able to tell about the slight stiffening of his shoulders. Or the way his eyes glanced down at the woman in his arms. How they assessed the man hurtling accusations at her...
And something inside him---
Shifted!
"…Engagement?" He repeated softly, not sure why the words tasted like acid on his tongue.
Or why his chest constricted.
Was this a side effect of the contract?
Sera glanced up at him---
And shrugged.
Well, what was she supposed to say?
There hadn't exactly been a "right time" to tell him all about it. Not that he was privy to every piece of personal information about her.
She waved a hand.
"It was a childhood foolish promise, nothing else," she waved off. "Nothing serious, honestly."
There was no visible reaction from the demon.
No change in expression...
No outward sign.
But something unfamiliar twisted in his chest.
Tight...
Sharp!
What… is that?
He didn't like it.
Didn't understand it.
Didn't---
Want it!
Leo was too angry to notice any of that...
"You were always a jealous, bitter, vile woman," he snapped at Sera, his accusatory finger pointing like a final judgment. "You couldn't let Elena and me have this moment of happiness to ourselves, could you? You had to ruin it by bringing a demon here knowing---!"
He cut himself off, glancing back at his beloved.
Elena was huddling behind some guards, terrified and shivering. Anyone who saw her would agree that she was a sad sight indeed. Some even wanted to move closer to comfort her, but were too afraid of the soldiers guarding her. So instead, they channeled their hate into angry glares, staring at Sera and Lord Virex until they would spontaneously combust.
Which didn't happen in real life…
"You brought him here just to mess with her, didn't you?"
He was basically growling at her now.
"You never could stand the fact that you could never measure up to her," he hissed low, his eyes blazing. "That she was better than you in every way---!"
"Are you done?"
Leo blinked.
Confused.
But Sera didn't move.
Her voice was crisp as it cut through his rant.
Her eyes were void of any emotions…
Despite the sting of his words---
She refused to let them see her pain!
Leo shook his head, trying to regain control...
"…What?"
"I asked," she repeated, sharper now. "Are you done? Because if you are, call off your dogs and let me pass!"
A collective gasp circled the crowd like a wave. They'd all at some point or another been victim to Lady Seraphina's antics. Fallen by the blade that was her wicked tongue.
She was scandalous!
She was evil!
And yet---
Most of them missed the calmness in her tone. And because it was her, they forgot that she was the one who was being mistreated. In this case, it was the King who was in the wrong, falsely accusing and judging her.
But because it was her, none of them stood up for her…
To them---
She might as well have been a demon herself!
Leo's jaw tightened.
"You dare---!"
"We are not at war, King Reinhart," she cut him off, her tone deliberate and calm. "Demons are not our enemies. And since you ended our engagement, I am free to choose my own partner. Whatever race he might be."
Silence.
It hung over them like a suffocating force.
Tense...
Uncertain.
Leo hesitated.
His gaze flickered back to Elena. She still stood there, pale and shaking, protected behind a wall of guards. Clutching the fabric at her chest...
Everyone was waiting.
For his judgment.
Watching him.
Waiting...
Then---
"King Leopold Reinhart."
Lord Virex spoke softly.
Yet his voice carried to every corner of the room.
Some gasped.
This was the first time they'd heard him speak…
And none could deny the power in his voice!
He was without a doubt---
The Demon Lord!
"Are you unfamiliar with The First Treaty?"
Lord Virex asked smoothly, his unnaturally yellow eyes staring straight at the King.
Leo stiffened.
One part surprise---
One part fear!
"I am not!"
Leo had to admit, his fists clenching at his side.
Sera blinked.
She, too, was familiar with The First Treaty. It was a peace treaty signed by humans and demons several hundred years ago after humans first discovered the potential of the stabilizing crystals in the Angelista mountains. After a failed war, both sides came together and signed a treaty that ensured that both countries would have access to the precious ore.
It later became known as The First Treaty...
"Then you are aware," Kael continued, his lips once more curved into a smile that could give most seasoned soldiers the chills. "That I am to be received as an honored guest!"
He took one step closer to the King.
Subtle.
But every bit as threatening as he intended...
"Is this how humans show honor?"
The air shifted...
Sera felt it instantly.
Cold.
Heavy...
Dangerous!
She'd felt it before...
Lord Virex leaned in slightly---
Just enough for their conversation to be private.
"If you prefer to violate it," he murmured. "I can respond accordingly. But I highly doubt your betrothed would appreciate the outcome."
Leo's hands clenched.
He wanted to kill the demon.
Wanted to annihilate him and his kind!
They were a scorn on this earth.
Monsters who had killed his beloved's family right before her eyes.
But in the end---
"…Stand down!" He ordered.
He didn't have a choice...
The guards hesitated – even if just for a second...
Then obeyed!
The tension bent, even though it was just by a small fraction.
Lord Virex straightened.
Smiled...
"Good," he said lightly--- and then turned to Sera. "I heard a song I rather like."
He offered her his hand.
"Shall we, my love?"
And before she could react---
He pulled her with him to the center of the dance floor. She let out a small gasp as he put his arms around her, holding her close to her chest.
Their eyes met.
And while Sera wasn't sure how she felt at that moment, but---
Being this close to him…
Felt---!
Lord Virex glanced at the musicians, and as if he'd cursed or put a spell on them, they instantly picked up their instruments, and the music began.
Too fast at first...
Too sudden!
But with grace and precision, he began to move.
And without a thought, she followed him…
They were alone.
Of course they were!
No one else dared to join...
Which felt strangely---
Perfect!
Her heart pounded as his hand settled at her waist. He was an excellent dancer. And the way he defended her had her heart fluttering. Anyone who wasn't aware of their contract would totally buy this act.
Think they were a perfect couple.
But Sera couldn't allow herself to believe it – not even for a second!
"You didn't have to threaten them," she hissed low, swallowing as her mouth suddenly felt dry
"You're welcome!"
Arrogant little---!
"That wasn't gratitude!"
"It should be."
She glared at him.
But before she had a chance to reply, he spoke again...
"Was this your plan all along?"
His question took her by surprise.
"To ruin the party?"
Sera couldn't help it…
She laughed!
"You honestly think me that petty?" She asked, shaking her head. "Well, to be fair, my former self would have. But in truth, this was the easiest way to announce our engagement. Make it public and all that."
"And?"
He questioned, his eyebrow arched in that knowing way...
Seriously?!
How was this guy able to read her like an open book?
"And this way, it's been made clear to everyone that even the King has to acknowledge that we're not at war," she admitted, calculating that it would be useless to lie to the freaking lie-detector. "That a marriage – or any relationship, really – between a demon and human is accepted by the King himself."
The demon let out a soft sound.
Wonder…
Skepticism.
But mostly---
"You think there's a war coming?"
Curiosity...
"Not if I can help it!"
Leo could hate her all he wanted right now.
She'd make it up to him later.
Right now, all she cared about was ensuring that the was that killed her wouldn't happen.
And with that---
Save the people she loved.
"…Do you still love him?"
The question hit hard.
Out of nowhere.
She blinked.
"What?"
"King Reinhart," he clarified---
Yet it clarified nothing!
"We grew up together," she replied, no idea what he was getting at.
Did she love him?
No…
And yes!
Well, she loved him the way she loved a cute puppy that had been by her side since childhood. He had been a part of her life for so long, she couldn't help but love the guy. When they were children, they'd been inseparable.
She wasn't sure when that had changed…
Maybe around the time she realized that he was in love with Elena.
Around the time, she'd made it her life's mission to make Elena's life as miserable as possible.
And then he started hating her...
"That wasn't an answer."
His tone was accusatory...
His gaze that eerie "I see right through you"-look...
She let out a suffering sigh...
"Not like that," she rolled her eyes. "Not anymore."
And the---
She snickered.
"…Besides..."
She took in the being in front of her. He might not have the title of king, but he was a million times more MAN than the boy with a crown. And she wasn't oblivious to the many ladies who also had noticed how attractive he was.
Even when they tried to hide it...
"I do believe that I have better taste now."
A pause.
"Do you now?"
She didn't think.
Didn't filter her thoughts…
(A fatal flaw of hers, really!)
"You're more attractive by a large margin, My Lord!"
Silence...
Then---
"…I see..."
Something shifted.
Subtle.
Satisfied...
"Huh?!"
Sera hadn't even realized what she'd said.
Not until---!
And then – mortification hit!
"I mean---!"
"This is our first dance!"
He cut her off.
He didn't know why.
He didn't want to hear her excuses.
Didn't want to hear her take it back.
Not when her words---
Warmed him.
Made him feel in a way he had never felt before…
And he---
He didn't want to lose it.
Not yet...
Sera blinked.
What?
But she didn't get a chance to reply.
They moved effortlessly across the floor.
Perfectly in sync.
And for a moment...
Just one!
She allowed herself to forget everything…
The path ahead was going to be hard after all. She had a lot of catching up to do.
Her skills…
Her training.
Everything she'd gathered from her previous lives.
It would have to come together in this life – to stop the war!
So for now, she'd enjoy these rare moments of tranquility...
The music ended---
And reality returned…
Sera let out a breath of air.
And realized that her throat was dry.
"Are you thirsty?"
He asked, but before she had a chance to reply, he was pulling her towards the table set out with a buffet that could have fed the poor for a week and a half.
"Thanks," she smiled up at the man who was her fiancé.
She reached for a glass---
And then heard a voice she wished she could erase from her memory!
"Seraphina!"
Her blood ran cold.
That voice…!
Slowly---
She turned.
Standing behind her was---
Her mother!