The carriage halted before a grand estate nestled deep within the dark marble hills of the Virelios territory. The towering black iron gates creaked open slowly, and Seraphina stepped out with the same elegance she wore like armor.
She was greeted by an eerie silence—no servants, no guards at the front. Just him, standing at the top of the steps like he knew she would come.
Zephriel Virelios.
The villain of the original tale. And now, perhaps… an unexpected ally.
He offered a gloved hand, his dark crimson cloak brushing against the wind.
"Welcome to my humble manor, Lady Seraphina."
She took his hand without hesitation, lifting the hem of her cloak as she stepped up the last stair.
"Thank you for inviting me, Your Highness," she replied, her voice clear and unshaken.
His smirk returned, ever-present.
"I believe you and I have much to discuss. Preferably somewhere away from prying ears and royal rats."
He turned, and she followed him into the manor—into the lion's den, into the shadows, and perhaps, into a partnership no one in the kingdom would expect
cloaked in deep reds and blacks, lined with books older than some kingdoms. The fireplace crackled low, casting shadows across his sharp features. He poured himself a glass of wine, then turned to face her, finally breaking the silence.
"Would you work for us, Lady Seraphina?" he asked casually, as if he were discussing the weather.
Seraphina let out a short scoff, arms crossing.
"Why would I ever work with you?"
Zephriel grinned, swirling the glass in his hand.
"Simple. It's a mutually beneficial arrangement. You get something… and I get something."
She narrowed her eyes, her voice cold.
"And what, pray tell, do I gain by aligning myself with the Empire's most infamous villain?"
He took a slow sip, his crimson eyes watching her over the rim of the glass.
"Protection, power, and the freedom to do as you please. No noble meddling in your affairs. No prince breathing down your neck. You'll have access to information the royal dogs keep hidden—and a partner who understands just how much you hate being used."
He stepped closer, lowering his voice.
"I'm not asking you to trust me, Seraphina. I'm asking you to work with me. Because together…" he paused, eyes gleaming,
"…we can burn this rotten empire down and build something far more entertaining from its ashes."
Seraphina's voice cut through the tension like a blade.
"Well, unfortunate for you, I don't need your protection, your wealth, or your ambition."
Her eyes narrowed, burning with conviction.
"I don't wish to burn the empire down, Zephriel. There are innocent people living here—ordinary citizens, servants, even nobles—who don't deserve to be caught in your madness."
She stepped forward, the room chilling with her presence.
"And I won't let them suffer. If you continue to cling to this ambition of yours, I will personally end you."
Her glare was sharp enough to kill.
Then, with a scoff, she added coldly,
"And get your pathetic little bodyguard of an assassin out of my shadow."
Zephriel's expression flickered in surprise.
Seraphina turned on her heel, her cape swirling behind her as she began to walk toward the door, determined to end this conversation.
But Zephriel's voice stopped her cold.
"What made you think you can stop me?"
She slowly looked over her shoulder, eyes gleaming with a quiet fury.
"I can do more than enough."
Without hesitation, she reached into her own shadow and yanked someone out—a cloaked assassin struggling in her grip.
"Like this," she said coldly.
She tossed the assassin aside as if he weighed nothing. The man groaned and lay still.
Zephriel blinked, then let out a low chuckle.
"You're certainly interesting, Lady Seraphina. Alright, alright… I'll put my ambition on hold—for now. I wouldn't want to be killed by the strongest, would I?"
He grinned as he said it, amused and intrigued, as if he'd just witnessed the start of a game far more entertaining than he expected.