The gentle breeze from the palace window carried the scent of blooming roses from the royal garden. Seraphina stood at the edge of a long corridor, gazing at the vast expanse of the garden in the distance. The evening air calmed her mind, which was still burdened by the embarrassing incident in the hall last night. Heavy footsteps echoed on the marble floor, forcing her to turn around.
A middle-aged man in a regal robe approached, his face adorned with age lines that did nothing to diminish his authority. His sharp yet kind eyes studied Seraphina with curiosity.
"You must be Seraphina," he said in a deep voice filled with intrigue.
Seraphina bowed slightly, feeling a bit nervous. "Yes, Your Majesty. I am the new palace servant."
King Gregory gave a faint smile. "I know who you are. I've heard stories about the foreign girl Adrian brought to the palace. I wanted to see you for myself."
Seraphina straightened, trying to maintain her composure despite the anxiety rising in her chest. "Are you disappointed to see me, Your Majesty?"
"Disappointed?" Gregory chuckled. "No, my dear. I have been disappointed far too often by politics and people who love the game of power too much. But you… you bring a breath of fresh air to this palace."
His words confused Seraphina, but she sensed sincerity behind them.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. I don't know what makes you say that."
Gregory slowly walked toward the balcony, motioning for Seraphina to follow. "Sit," he said, pointing to a wooden bench beneath an arch adorned with jasmine flowers.
Seraphina obeyed.
"You know," Gregory began, staring out at the horizon, "long ago, there was a sorceress named Thalia who was exiled because people believed she carried a curse. They feared her. But in the end, Thalia was the one who saved the kingdom from destruction."
Seraphina listened intently. "Why are you telling me this, Your Majesty?"
"Perhaps because you remind me of her," Gregory replied, shifting his gaze to her. "Sometimes, people don't see us for who we truly are, but rather through the lens of their own prejudice."
Seraphina felt her throat tighten. His words pierced through the layers of old wounds she had tried to bury. She recalled her father's treatment, John's cold stare, and now, Queen Helena and Evelyn's hostility.
"They don't like me here," Seraphina whispered, barely audible. "I don't know what I should do to be accepted."
Gregory smiled gently. "You don't have to try to be accepted by everyone. Just do what is right. The truth always finds its way, Seraphina."
For a moment, the atmosphere felt lighter. Seraphina looked at the older man, sensing the fatherly presence she had long yearned for. She wanted to ask more, but the sound of approaching footsteps broke the moment.
Adrian appeared at the balcony door, his expression tense.
"Father," he said, slightly surprised to see them together. "What are you doing here?"
King Gregory rose from his seat and patted Adrian's shoulder gently. "Just talking with this girl. You were right—she is quite interesting."
Adrian glanced at Seraphina with an unreadable expression, then turned back to his father. "Mother is looking for you. There's a council meeting."
"Ah, very well." Gregory nodded and looked at Seraphina once more. "Remember, stay true to yourself. This world may be harsh, but you are stronger than you think."
Seraphina could only nod, overwhelmed by emotions she couldn't quite put into words.
After King Gregory left, Adrian stepped closer to Seraphina. He studied her closely, as if wanting to say something but hesitating.
"Are you alright?" Adrian asked, his voice softer than usual.
Seraphina was surprised by his tone. "Yes, I'm fine. Thank you, Your Highness."
Adrian understood, but his gaze lingered on her face a few seconds longer than necessary.
"I have to go," Adrian said. "Don't forget—this palace is full of eyes. Be careful who you talk to."
Seraphina watched as Adrian walked away, feeling as if there was something left unsaid in his warning.
---
The golden hues of the evening sun streamed through the large windows of the western hall, casting a warm glow across the room. Seraphina stood in the center of the hall, her hands busy arranging flowers on a long table. It was a simple task, but Evelyn had given her very specific instructions—the flowers had to be arranged perfectly, without a single flaw.
She glanced at the door. Prince Adrian had not arrived yet. Though time seemed to move slowly, Seraphina focused on working as quickly as possible. Her heartbeat quickened when she heard footsteps approaching.
"Seraphina," Adrian's deep, cold voice echoed through the hall.
Seraphina turned, finding Adrian standing at the doorway. His face was expressionless, but there was a sharp glint in his eyes that made the air feel heavy.
"Do you know what you've done?" Adrian asked, his gaze fixed on the floral arrangement on the table.
Seraphina was startled by his words, biting her lip. "I was only following orders to arrange these flowers, Your Highness."
Adrian stepped closer, his stare never leaving her face. "White candles on the left, red roses in the center, and blue orchids on the right. Those were the clear instructions. But look at this…."
He grabbed one of the arrangements and tossed it onto the floor. Petals scattered, creating a scene of chaos.
"A small mistake?" Adrian leaned in, his voice low yet full of restrained anger. "A small mistake can lead to a disaster in this palace. Do you think these are just flowers?"
Seraphina looked at the floor, trying to suppress the fear creeping in. "I… I'm sorry, Your Highness. I didn't mean to… I will fix it."
"Fix it?" Adrian gave a faint smirk, his eyes piercing. "How can you fix something that's already broken? In this palace, there is no room for mistakes."
For a moment, silence filled the room. Seraphina wanted to defend herself, but speaking up might only make things worse.
"You want to survive here?" Adrian continued. "Learn not to repeat your mistakes. This world doesn't offer second chances."
Seraphina lifted her gaze, meeting Adrian's eyes with a mix of defiance and fear. "I understand, Your Highness. But I believe that even in a cruel world, change is possible if one has the courage to keep trying."
Adrian was momentarily stunned. Her words, though simple, stirred something deep within him. He was reminded of someone from his past—a girl with the same warmth and courage.
But he shook his head, pushing the memory away. "Don't make me regret bringing you here," he said, his voice quiet yet firm, before turning on his heel and walking away.
Seraphina stood frozen in place, watching as Adrian's figure disappeared into the distance.
When the doors of the hall finally closed behind him, she exhaled slowly. She was certain that Adrian's anger wasn't just about the misplaced flowers. There was something much deeper behind his cold demeanor—something she was determined to uncover one day.
Before Seraphina could leave after being reprimanded by Prince Adrian, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed from the doorway. Evelyn appeared, standing with a sly smile on her face.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Seraphina," she said in a cunning tone. "It seems Prince Adrian isn't very impressed with your work. What a shame... perhaps you should have stayed in your old world."
Seraphina clenched her fists, resisting the urge to retaliate. Responding to Evelyn would only make the situation more complicated.
"You don't need to worry about me. I can learn and correct my mistakes," Seraphina replied flatly. "And I will stay here, no matter what you plan."
Evelyn stepped closer, her sharp gaze locked onto Seraphina. "We'll see how long you can last."
She turned on her heels and walked away, leaving Seraphina alone in the silent hall.
Seraphina took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. The days ahead would be full of challenges. To uncover the truth about her mother, she was willing to endure whatever hardships the Valoria palace had in store for her. Especially with the mystery surrounding Adrian, whose face bore a striking resemblance to John.
---
The corridors of Valoria Palace felt colder than usual. The air hung heavily, as if harboring secrets unwilling to be revealed. Seraphina walked slowly, her footsteps nearly silent against the gleaming marble floor.
After the incident with Adrian, an unexplainable feeling unsettled her. There was something eerie about this palace, as though its very walls whispered untold stories.
At the end of the corridor, she noticed an elderly figure she rarely encountered—a servant who had worked in the palace for years. He was arranging books on the shelves of a small, secluded library in the western wing of the palace.
"Excuse me," Seraphina greeted him softly, her eyes scanning the shelves filled with thick, leather-bound books. "What book is that?"
The servant turned, his wrinkled face framed by sharp, observant eyes. "Just a history book about the kingdom, miss," he replied with a faint smile. "Not many people are interested in reading these old books."
"History can tell us many things," Seraphina murmured as she stepped closer. "Sometimes, the truth is hidden within these worn pages."
The servant fell silent for a moment, then lowered his voice. "Be careful, miss. Not all truths in this palace wish to be uncovered."
A chill ran down her spine at his words. She stared at the old man with curiosity, but before she could ask further, he had already disappeared, leaving the room in eerie silence.
---
In the darkness of the night, Seraphina sat on the edge of her bed, contemplating the strange encounter. She felt as if something was being kept from her—something linked to the palace's past and perhaps even to herself.
Unable to suppress her curiosity, she decided to return to the library. The candle in her hand flickered as she pushed open the massive wooden door. The room was dim and silent, illuminated only by the faint glow of wall-mounted candles.
Her fingers trailed over the spines of ancient books, searching for something—anything—that could explain the unsettling feeling haunting her.
"What are you looking for, stranger?" a soft but icy voice came from behind.
Seraphina spun around quickly, finding Evelyn standing at the doorway, her crimson gown striking against the shadows.
"Nothing," Seraphina replied, trying to sound calm. "I was just looking for something interesting to read."
Evelyn stepped inside, her eyes narrowing with suspicion. "Oh, really? This library is rarely visited, especially at night. You must be very curious."
Seraphina remained silent, watching as Evelyn observed her closely, analyzing her every move.
"There's something you should know about this place," Evelyn said, her voice like a serpent's whisper. "The Valoria Palace is filled with dark history. Some secrets are better left buried."
Seraphina studied Evelyn, trying to decipher the meaning behind her words. "What secrets are you referring to?"
Evelyn let out a soft chuckle, her laughter echoing between the bookshelves. "You'll find out… in time."
With graceful steps, Evelyn turned and walked away, leaving Seraphina in even deeper confusion.
---
After Evelyn's departure, Seraphina resumed her search. Eventually, she stumbled upon an old book hidden behind a stack of others. Its cover was nearly peeling, and the golden letters on the front were almost unreadable.
She opened the first page. A map of the palace was spread across it, but some sections were unfamiliar to her. In the corner of the map, an unusual symbol was drawn—a sword crossed with an eight-pointed star.
The symbol radiated an air of mystery, as if it was trying to communicate with her. Seraphina traced the map with her fingers, trying to grasp its significance.
"A magical sword," she muttered, narrowing her eyes. "What does all of this mean?"
Before she could ponder further, the sound of approaching footsteps reached her ears. Quickly, she shut the book and tucked it beneath her cloak. Extinguishing her candle, she moved into the shadows of the room.
The library door creaked open slowly, and a shadowy figure stepped inside.
The mysterious figure stood in the middle of the room, their eyes scanning every corner with sharp vigilance. Seraphina held her breath, her heart pounding in her chest.
---
The sky over Valoria darkened as dusk settled. Lanterns in the palace gardens flickered to life, casting a dim glow among the trees. Seraphina sat by a stone fountain, watching her reflection ripple in the trembling water. Her thoughts were tangled in the endless mystery of her mother, John, and this strange world she now inhabited.
"Dusk always holds its own secrets, doesn't it, miss?"
Seraphina turned. In front of her stood a man with a faint smile and sharp, unreadable eyes. His dark hair fell loosely, blending with the deep blue velvet coat he wore. He bowed gracefully, his movements fluid like a dancer who knew exactly when to move.
"Forgive me if I startled you. Allow me to introduce myself. Lucian of Eloria."
"Eloria?" Seraphina narrowed her eyes. The name sounded familiar, but it lingered just beyond her grasp.
Lucian's smile widened as if he could read her uncertainty. "A small kingdom far to the east. Not many know of it, except those who have read the ancient legend of a sword called Aurum Aeternum. A sword, they say, that can only be found by those with pure blood from both worlds."
Seraphina held her breath, her heart beating faster. Lucian's words felt like a key unlocking another door in her mind.
"An ancient legend?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Indeed," Lucian confirmed, his eyes gleaming with mystery. "It tells of King Eldric, who sacrificed everything to maintain the balance between the human world and the world of magic. Before he vanished, he hid his sword somewhere that only his true heir could find."
Seraphina tried to steady herself. "And what is your connection to this legend?"