The Demon Castle was quiet that morning. The halls were empty except for me—Seraphina, the "servant" everyone thought was just another new face.
I tried to keep my head down, sweeping the floors of the throne hall. But Azrath… the Demon King… was always watching. I could feel his crimson eyes burning into my back, even when I didn't dare to look at him.
He wasn't like the terrifying monster I had imagined all my past lives. He had a short temper, yes—one careless word, and his wrath could make even the bravest demon bow. But he also had moments of unexpected warmth, almost teasing, almost… gentle. When he smiled, it was like firelight flickering across stone walls—dangerous, yes, but impossible to look away from.
"Careful, servant," he said suddenly, stepping from the shadows. My heart skipped a beat.
"I don't want to see a single mistake today," he added, his tone sharp but calm, as if he expected me to fail—but also expected me to survive.
I swallowed hard, trying not to blush. I've survived wars, assassins, and betrayals… I can survive him too.
Before I could answer, the doors of the throne hall swung open.
Three figures entered.
The first was tall, with dark hair and eyes that reminded me of the skies at night. Prince Leon Aurelion, the eldest brother. His gaze fell on me, sharp but unreadable.
Next came a younger man, more energetic, almost reckless. His golden hair shimmered in the torchlight. Prince Caelum, the second brother, stepped forward and immediately frowned. "Who… is this?" His voice was protective, as though I were a threat—and maybe I was, though not to him.
Finally, two children followed. A little girl with gentle eyes—Princess Mira, my younger sister. She froze when she saw me, her hands clutching the hem of her dress. And a boy, smaller and curious, Prince Elio, who peeked around his sister nervously, looking at me like I might vanish if he blinked.
Azrath's gaze shifted to them, and I realized… he was just as alert, just as calculating, with them as with me. His expression darkened slightly, protective in a way I didn't understand yet.
The messenger from Aurelion had told them who I was. And now, my long-lost identity as Princess Seraphina was no longer a secret.
I felt my chest tighten. My past lives had trained me to hide, to survive. But here, my heart was a battlefield. Every glance from Azrath, every careful look from my brothers and sister, made me feel like I was balancing on a knife's edge.
Azrath finally broke the silence. "So… you are the princess everyone thought lost," he said, his voice quiet now, almost soft. His crimson eyes softened slightly, and I felt an unfamiliar flutter in my chest. Why does he look at me like that?
Leon's voice was calm but commanding. "We will bring her back to the kingdom. She belongs with us."
Caelum's voice was sharp. "No one touches her without my permission."
Mira whispered, almost to herself, "Seraphina…" Her voice held hope and fear, and my throat tightened.
Elio's small voice added, "Are… are you really our sister?"
I swallowed. The truth felt heavy. I was a princess, yes—but I had survived five lives to reach this moment. And here, in the Demon Castle, my heart refused to settle.
Azrath stepped closer to me. "Do you want to go?" His voice was calm, but the tension in his posture was sharp, like he had already decided I wasn't leaving.
I looked at him, then at my siblings. I realized… survival wasn't just about hiding anymore.
It was about choosing where my heart belonged.
And for the first time in five lives, I felt… unsure.
Unsure… and alive.