A sudden rise in status. A union between two families. Seraphina grimaced at such unpleasant rumors, including the fact that the Count had been causing much inconvenience for the Duke himself. The whispers of the Empire reflected the intricacies of their lives, the power dynamics and personal vendettas.
"I guess I've been in bed for far too long," she mused, a hint of regret in her voice. The time spent in recovery, though necessary, had kept her away from the intricacies of the world outside.
Despite having Seraphina as his daughter, Count Alaric would have been left alone. But the situation was currently different. He could not overtly demean the Duke's prestige.
Seraphina's fingertips smoothed over the table as she gave it some thought, the cool wood beneath her skin grounding her in the moment.
...
