The morning air was cold and sharp, a steady wind sweeping across the duchy grounds as winter drew near.
Two days had passed since Kael and Seraphina's conversation in the garden that night. Today was the day the carriage sent by the Emperor arrived at the castle.
Outside the main gates, a girl with golden hair and clear blue eyes stood before the waiting carriage. A silver mask covered the left side of her face, catching the pale morning light. Seraphina was bidding farewell to Kael and his parents.
Duchess Selara stood closest to her, her usual composure barely holding together. Tears shimmered in her eyes as she watched Seraphina prepare to leave. The girl was the daughter of her uncle, her son's fiancée and over time, she had become something far more precious.
Seraphina had become like a second child to her. The daughter Selara had always wanted.
After Kael's birth, Selara had once hoped to have a daughter as well. But fate had not smiled upon her in that regard. She and Darian had tried for many years, but time had been cruel. Kael himself had been nothing short of a miracle, a blessing granted when they were already growing old. To wish for another child after that would have been nothing more than greed.
And now, this girl who felt like a daughter was leaving.
She would not return to live with them again.
Not until her wedding. It was her own choice and that day was still years away.
"Seraphina, sweetheart… write to me often, all right?" Selara said, pulling her into a tight embrace, tears slipping down her cheeks.
"Um—Aunt Selara, of course I will," Seraphina replied softly as she returned the hug. "And there's a noble gathering in the capital in about a month. We'll meet again then, so please don't cry." She hesitated, then added with a small smile, "You should write to me too."
She leaned closer, lowering her voice as Selara bent down to her height. "Of course… about Kael as well," she whispered.
Seraphina's ears turned slightly red while saying that.
"Of course I will," Selara blurted out without thinking. "And of course it'll be about Kael. Who else would I write about?"
At that, both her husband and her son turned to look at them.
Realizing what Selara had just said out loud, Seraphina's face turned completely red. She let go at once and hurried toward the waiting carriage.
"B-bye, Uncle Darian! Bye, Kael!" she called out, not daring to look back as she climbed inside.
The carriage had been waiting for some time. Moments later, it began to move, carrying her away.
"Goodbye, Seraphina," Kael said quietly.
His voice was low, meant only for himself and his parents. He raised his hand and waved as the golden carriage moved away, surrounded by hundreds of guards and knights, slowly disappearing down the road.
Darian glanced at him. "Kael, don't be discouraged. She'll come back eventually. She's not leaving you forever, so don't think too much about it."
Selara stepped behind Darian and struck the back of his head without hesitation.
"Shut up, Darian. Who told you to speak?" she snapped.
"What did I do?" Darian protested, rubbing his head with his single hand.
Kael couldn't hold it in anymore. He burst out laughing.
They were always serious when it came to important matters. But outside of that, they were just a couple who loved each other deeply. Watching them like this, Kael felt his chest warm.
When I first came to this world, I thought living as a duke's heir would be hard. Constant expectations. Learning how to act like a noble. Training just so I wouldn't be killed by someone else's whim.
But I was wrong.
They never pressured me. They never forced anything on me. They gave me freedom, supported him quietly, and trusted him. He trained because he wanted to—not because he had to. That was how he reached his current strength.
They weren't just his parents by blood.
They were his real parents.
Selara and Darian noticed Kael laughing and felt a bit embarrassed. Acting like children in front of their own son… where had their pride as parents gone?
Kael wiped a tear from the corner of his eye and looked at them.
"Mom. Dad. I love you."
Both of their eyes turned red instantly.
They pulled him into a tight hug at the same time.
"We love you too," Selara said softly."We love you," Darian added.
Kael hugged them back, his thoughts calm but firm.
Don't worry. I won't let you be sad because of me.I won't die in the future.I'll change the outcome myself.
Around them, the guards and servants quietly turned away, pretending not to see anything. Some moments were meant to stay private.
____
Inside the carriage, Seraphina finally came back to herself. She turned her gaze toward the woman sitting across from her.
It was Marielle—her caretaker, her mother's closest friend, and the one who had looked after her for a long time before she was sent to the Ravenor Duchy.
"Marielle… how have you been?" Seraphina asked softly. "You didn't come to my awakening ceremony."
"I'm sorry, Princess," Marielle replied. "There was trouble in my father's domain. I had to help him. He is still my father, after all."
"Marielle," Seraphina said gently, "you don't have to be so formal with me. Not like this."
Marielle inhaled deeply, then spoke again. "Seraphina… what are you thinking? I heard you plan to stay in the capital."
"It's my home," Seraphina replied calmly. "Why shouldn't I stay?"
"Do you really want to hear those insults again?" Marielle said, worry clear in her voice. "Do you want to be humiliated by your sisters once more? What are you even planning to do there? Isn't Ravenhold good enough for you? You have a fiancé there. If you leave like this, you'll only distance yourself from him."
"Don't worry, Marielle," Seraphina said without hesitation. "Kael made a vow to me. I trust him completely."
She paused, then continued in a serious tone.
"And the reason I want to stay in the capital—under the watchful eyes of my stepmother and stepsisters—is because I intend to take the throne."
"What…?"That was all Marielle could say.
After the Emperor, there were only two recognized candidates for the throne.
The first was the eldest daughter, Velora, who had the strongest claim by birth. But she had been stripped of her position as heir because of her actions toward Seraphina.
The second was Isabelle, the Emperor's second daughter, who had taken Velora's place as heir.
The nobles were divided, fiercely supporting one side or the other.
For Seraphina to enter that battlefield was absurd.
She had no reputation, no political backing, and no visible strength fit for ruling an empire.
Marielle stared at Seraphina's determined eyes for a long moment.
Arielle… what am I supposed to do with your daughter? she thought. I just hope she doesn't meet the same end as you.
For now, Marielle decided to stay by Seraphina's side—to watch her, and to stop this dream if possible… before it was too late.
Inside Seraphina's mind, however, her resolve was unshakable.
Kael… you accepted me at my worst and saved my life from certain death. The throne of the empire is the only thing I can give you in return.
Nothing else is worthy of us.