Chapter 1: The Red Wedding
The Kingdom of Saa was filled with excitement, the streets buzzing with the upcoming celebration of the century.
But inside the high stone walls of the grand palace, Princess Seraphine was in a completely dark mood. She sat frozen in front of the vanity mirror while three handmaidens fluttered around her, their movements sharp and lacking any real gentleness.
To the maids, Seraphine's dark silence was nothing more than the tantrum of a spoiled child. They pulled the golden stays of her corset with an extra, punishing tug, whispering muted complaints under their breath.
In their eyes, she was a brat born into unimaginable wealth, marrying a powerful king, and throwing a silent fit instead of being grateful for a life they could only dream of.
They didn't see the terror locked behind her eyes; they only saw a princess who had everything, yet refused to smile.
