Year 1206
The grand cathedral doors slowly opened.
A hush fell over the crowd… then it broke into waves of cheers.
All eyes turned to the entrance.
She stood there.
Seraphine Vale.
Dressed in an ivory wedding gown that swept elegantly across the stone floor, the fitted corset hugged her waist perfectly. The delicate fabric shimmered softly under the light, as if it had been made for this very moment.
A bouquet of fresh white flowers rested gently in her hands.
Her fingers trembled slightly.
The entire cathedral rose to their feet... nobles, citizens, even those watching from the upper gallery. Cheers filled the hall as she began to walk forward.
At the altar stood the man waiting for her.
King Lucien.
Seraphine walked toward him, step by step, her heart echoing in her chest. When she reached the altar, she bowed slightly before lifting her gaze to meet his.
He was dressed in a regal cloak of deep crimson velvet, draped over a finely brocaded doublet. Fur lined his shoulders, and a chain of gold rested across his neck, marking him as king. A handsome king at that
But his eyes…
His eyes held only her.
He didn't look away, not even for a second. There was love in them, deep, endless, something that felt eternal.
For a moment, the world faded.
It was just the two of them.
"Do you, my lord, take this woman to be your lawful wedded wife," the priest's voice echoed through the cathedral, "to love and to cherish, in this life and beyond it?"
"I do," Lucien answered.
His voice was steady and deep.
"In this life… and in every eternity that follows."
A faint murmur passed through the crowd.
The priest turned to her.
"And do you, my lady, take this man to be your lawful wedded husband? To love him, stand by him, and honor him, in this life and beyond?"
"I do," she whispered softly.
Her voice trembled with quiet devotion.
"To love you… to stand beside you, in this life and in all that may follow."
Her eyes shone with brightness as she spoke those words.
"You may now exchange rings," the priest declared.
After they both exchanged their rings the priest declared...
"You may now kiss the bride."
Cheers erupted across the cathedral.
Lucien stepped forward, gently pulling her closer. His hand rested at her waist as he kissed her softly.
Slow, careful and loving.
He pulled back slightly, their eyes still locked...
Then...
A gasp suddenly escaped her lips.
A blade flashed through the air.
Swift and merciless.
An arrow struck her from behind.
It pierced through her heart, the tip emerging faintly from the front.
Her body jerked.
Then stilled.
Blood spread across her ivory gown, staining the silk in a deep, cruel red.
Her bouquet slipped from her hands.
"Seraphine…?"
Lucien's voice cracked.
He caught her before she hit the ground, lowering with her as if afraid to let go.
Silence filled the cathedral hall
For a moment… the entire world froze.
Then chaos erupted in the hall, everyone ran for their life
Masked men appeared from the upper gallery, dressed in black, bows and arrows already in their motion, some were targeted at the upper gallery guests who were already begging for mercy not even daring to move.
The cathedral bells began to ring.
Slowly...
Then came the screams taking over the sound of the bell
People rushed toward the massive wooden doors, pushing, shoving, trampling over each other in fear. The exit became blocked within seconds.
Arrows rained down on them.
Those at the entrance fell first.
Blood began to flow across the stone floor.
Bodies dropped one after another.
Inside the cathedral, death spread like wildfire.
And at the altar, the groom sat on the floor, holding his bride.
Blood poured from Seraphine's chest, soaking her gown… but she was not gone yet.
She coughed, blood staining her lips.
Yet… she smiled.
Even in pain. Seraphine looked into Lucien's eyes which were filled with tears already.
"No… no… no…" Lucien whispered, his hands trembling as he held her face. "Please… stay with me."
"Lu… Lucien…" she breathed weakly, her voice barely a whisper. "Don't cry… I'm fine… I'll be fine…"
"Seraphine, hold on," he said quickly, his voice breaking. "I'll find a way to heal you. Just stay with me… please…"
His hand gently caressed her face.
But her body was already growing colder.
She let out a soft, broken chuckle, blood slipping from her lips.
Then she smiled.
And suddenly...
Her body went still.
Her eyes remained open…
But the light in them was gone.
"Seraphine…?"
Silence.
"Seraphine…!"
His voice broke completely.
"No!!"
He pulled her lifeless body closer, his scream echoing through the cathedral.
Seconds later...
Footsteps approached.
Nearly fifty masked men surrounded him, bows resting behind their backs.
One of them stepped forward.
The leader.
He slowly raised his bow, pointing an arrow directly at Lucien.
"It's over, Lucien."