The palace was a garden full of beautiful faces and hidden thorns. And tonight, the thorns were sharpened just for me.
At the weekly court gathering, I felt eyes flicker with hostility the moment I entered. Among the crowd stood Lady Seraphine, the Duke's daughter—known for her icy smile and ruthless ambition. She moved through the room like a predator, her gaze fixed on me as if I were a rival to be crushed.
Kael was nearby, engaged in polite conversation, but I caught his glance stray in my direction, wary and questioning.
Seraphine approached me, her voice honeyed but dripping with poison. "Lady Livianna, how lovely to see you gracing us with your presence. The court has missed its most… intriguing guest."
I forced a smile, masking the flicker of alarm. "Lady Seraphine, your compliments honor me."
She stepped closer, lowering her voice. "Beware, my dear. Not all here welcome your sudden rise. Some prefer the past to remain undisturbed."
The words were a clear threat. I met her cold eyes evenly. "I intend to remain very much present."
A flicker of amusement crossed Seraphine's face. "Then I shall look forward to our next meeting, Lady Livianna. Perhaps over tea—though I warn you, the brew here can be bitter."
Kael interrupted then, offering his arm to me. "Shall we escape this poison?" His voice was soft but protective.
As we walked away, I felt Seraphine's eyes burn into my back.
Later that night, alone in my chamber, I stared at the delicate pendant Kael had given me—the only fragile connection in this growing storm. I realized that the court's game was only beginning, and every move could be the difference between survival and ruin.