The carriage ride to Blackwood Manor took most of the day.
Seraphina spent the hours staring out the window, watching the capital city fade away behind them. First came the wealthy districts with their grand houses and manicured gardens. Then the middle-class neighborhoods with their neat rows of shops and homes. Finally, the poor sections where children played in muddy streets and women hung laundry from cramped windows.
She had never really looked at the city this way before. From the palace, everything seemed beautiful and peaceful. But now she could see the truth—the broken roads, the hungry faces, the buildings that needed repair.
Was this connected to the grain shipments somehow? Were people going hungry while someone stole food meant for the provinces?
After several hours, the city disappeared completely. Now there were only rolling green hills, thick forests, and small farming villages. The air smelled cleaner here, like grass and wildflowers instead of horse manure and cooking fires.
As the sun began to set, the carriage turned down a long, tree-lined road. At the end of it stood Blackwood Manor.
It was beautiful but intimidating. The house was built of dark stone that looked almost black in the evening light. Gardens surrounded the manor, filled with roses and other flowers she couldn't identify from the carriage.
It looked like the kind of place where secrets were kept.
The carriage stopped in front of the main entrance. A footman opened the door and helped Seraphina down while another man began unloading her trunks.
"Lady Seraphina, I presume?"
She turned to see an elegant woman in her fifties walking down the front steps. She had dark hair streaked with silver, pulled back in a sophisticated style. Her dress was deep purple silk, and she moved with the confidence of someone used to being in charge.
"Lady Blackwood," Seraphina said, dropping into a curtsy. "Thank you so much for inviting me."
"Please, call me Evangeline. We don't need to be so formal here." The older woman's smile was warm but her dark eyes were sharp, studying Seraphina carefully. "You look exhausted, child. Come inside and we'll get you settled."
Blackwood Manor was even more impressive on the inside. The entrance hall had a ceiling that stretched up three stories, with a grand staircase curving along one wall. Portraits of stern-looking ancestors hung everywhere, and their painted eyes seemed to follow Seraphina as she walked.
"Your room is ready," Evangeline said, leading her up the stairs. "I thought you might prefer something quiet, away from the main hallways."
They walked down a long corridor lined with more portraits and expensive tapestries. Finally, Evangeline stopped in front of a door near the end of the hall.
"This will be yours for as long as you need it," she said, opening the door.
The room was lovely. A large four-poster bed dominated one wall, covered in soft blue blankets and pillows. A fireplace crackled merrily, casting dancing shadows on the cream-colored walls. French doors opened onto a small balcony that overlooked the gardens.
"It's perfect," Seraphina said honestly. "Thank you."
"Dinner will be served in an hour. Nothing formal—just family." Evangeline paused at the door. "My nephew Lucien arrived this afternoon. I hope you don't mind the company."
Seraphina's heart skipped, but she kept her expression neutral. "Of course not."
"Good. Rest for a bit, then come down when you're ready. The dining room is on the first floor, just follow the sound of voices." Evangeline smiled. "And Seraphina? Try not to worry too much about what happened at court. Time has a way of healing even the deepest wounds."
After Evangeline left, Seraphina sank into a chair by the fireplace. Her body ached from the long carriage ride, but her mind was racing.
Soon she would see Lucien again. Soon they could begin working together to uncover the truth about who had destroyed her.
But first, she needed to be careful. Even here, away from court, there might be servants who gossiped or family members who couldn't be trusted.
A soft knock on the door interrupted her thoughts.
"Come in," she called.
A young maid entered carrying a pitcher of hot water and fresh towels.
"Lady Blackwood thought you might want to freshen up before dinner, my lady," the girl said shyly.
"Thank you. What's your name?"
"Rose, my lady."
"How long have you worked here, Rose?"
"Three years, my lady. My whole family works for the Blackwoods. They're good employers." Rose set the water pitcher on the washstand. "Is there anything else you need?"
"Just some privacy to change clothes, thank you."
After Rose left, Seraphina washed her face and hands, then changed from her traveling dress into something more suitable for dinner. She chose a simple green gown that brought out her eyes but wasn't too fancy.
As she looked at herself in the mirror, she practiced the expression she would need for the next few weeks. Sad but brave. Hurt but trying to heal. Defeated but not broken.
She couldn't let anyone suspect that she was planning revenge.
An hour later, she made her way downstairs following the sound of voices and clinking dishes. The dining room was smaller than the one at the palace but much cozier. A long wooden table sat in the center, set for three people. Candles flickered in silver holders, and a fire burned in the stone fireplace.
Evangeline was already seated at the head of the table, wearing the same purple dress from earlier. And across from where Seraphina would sit...
Lucien rose as she entered the room.
He looked different here than he had at the palace. Less formal, more relaxed. He wore a simple white shirt and dark pants instead of his usual court attire. His black hair was slightly mussed, and there was a small cut on his left hand that looked fresh.
"Lady Seraphina," he said with a polite bow. "I'm glad you decided to accept my aunt's invitation."
"Thank you, Prince Lucien. I needed to get away from court for a while."
"Please, just Lucien here. We're practically family now." His green eyes met hers for just a moment, and she saw something there—a message, a promise, a reminder of their secret alliance.
"How wonderful," Evangeline said, not noticing the look that passed between them. "It's so nice to have young people in the house again. Seraphina, please sit. Cook has prepared roast chicken with herbs from our garden."
Dinner was surprisingly pleasant. Evangeline told stories about the local village and asked gentle questions about Seraphina's family. Lucien mostly listened, occasionally adding a comment or asking about her journey from the capital.
To anyone watching, they would look like exactly what they were supposed to be, a kind aunt helping a heartbroken young woman, with her nephew being politely welcoming.
But under the table, Seraphina was aware of every move Lucien made. When he reached for his wine glass, when he cut his meat, when he glanced in her direction. There was an energy between them that she had never felt with anyone before.
"I thought tomorrow you might like to see the gardens," Evangeline said as they finished the main course. "The roses are particularly beautiful this time of year."
"That sounds lovely," Seraphina replied.
"Lucien could show you around," Evangeline continued. "He knows every path and hidden corner. Don't you, dear?"
"I'd be happy to," Lucien said smoothly. "There are some very... private spots where we could walk without being disturbed."
The way he said "private" made Seraphina's pulse quicken. Tomorrow they would finally be able to talk freely about their plans.
"I should warn you both," Evangeline said with a laugh, "I'm an early riser. I'll probably be working in my study most of the morning, so you young people can explore without an old woman slowing you down."
Perfect, Seraphina thought. Even better than they had hoped.
After dinner, Evangeline excused herself to attend to some correspondence, leaving Seraphina and Lucien alone in the dining room.
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The silence stretched between them, filled with everything they couldn't say with servants nearby.
Finally, Lucien stood and moved to the window that looked out over the gardens.
"Beautiful night," he said casually. "Perfect for a walk, if someone were interested."
"I think I'm too tired tonight," Seraphina replied, understanding that he was suggesting they go somewhere to talk privately. "Perhaps tomorrow would be better."
"Tomorrow then." He turned back to her. "Sleep well, Lady Seraphina. I have a feeling tomorrow will be a very... educational day."
As she made her way back to her room, Seraphina's mind was already racing ahead to tomorrow. Finally, she and Lucien could begin their real work.
But as she changed into her nightgown and climbed into the soft bed, she couldn't stop thinking about the way he had looked at her across the dinner table. Like she was something precious and dangerous at the same time.
Working closely with Lucien was going to test her in ways she hadn't expected.
And she wasn't sure she minded.