The morning paper hit like a grenade.
Front page, bold font:
"CROWN HEIR LOCKED IN ILLEGAL AFFAIR WITH ROYAL GUARD?"
Underneath: a grainy photo.Her. Levi. The kiss.
Palace PR was already in flames.
The King was furious. Her stepmother faked a migraine. The court vultures were circling and Seraphina? She was standing in the middle of the storm without Levi, without answers, and very much alone.
The throne room echoed as her father's voice cracked like thunder.
"You've humiliated this house. Do you understand that?"
"It was taken without my consent"
"Do you think the world cares?" he snapped. "A princess entangled with a commoner, one who was under direct orders to guard you? It's not scandal, Seraphina it's treason."
Her fists clenched. "You talk about duty, but you lied about Lila. You're still lying."
The King's eyes flared. "Your sister was unstable."
"You locked her away."
He stepped forward, low and cold. "You're walking a dangerous path."
"So are you," she shot back. "And I'm not walking. I'm running."
That night, Kai found her on the roof.
"You're not safe here anymore," he said.
She didn't look at him. "You think I don't know that?"
He handed her something. A velvet ring box.
"What's this?"
"A distraction," he said bitterly. "The Council's already pushing for an arranged engagement to silence the scandal."
Her hands went ice cold. "You?"
He gave her a tired smile. "Wouldn't be the worst match, would it?"
"You're not serious."
"I'm always serious."