Amelia adjusted her posture, mirroring the elegant mannerisms she had spent days perfecting. The grand dining hall was a spectacle of wealth and power: gold-trimmed walls, an opulent crystal chandelier casting a warm glow, and servants moving silently in the background. Yet, despite the beauty, the air between her and Duke Cedric was thick with tension.
He sat across the table, his presence commanding. Even as he calmly sipped his wine, Amelia could feel his intense gray gaze studying her. The scrutiny was relentless, almost suffocating.
"Lady Seraphina," Cedric began, his deep, even tone cutting through the silence like a blade. "You seem... different lately."
Amelia's hand froze briefly on her goblet before she forced herself to continue. Play it cool. Stay composed. She placed the glass down gently and smiled, her face a mask of practiced politeness. "Change can be necessary, Your GraceOne must adapt to survive."
"Adaptation isn't a trait I recall you possessing before."
The words were barbed, and Amelia felt the sting. He wasn't just making an observation—he was testing her. From what she had gathered about Seraphina's past, she had been headstrong, manipulative, and cruel. Amelia had to work carefully to dismantle that perception while maintaining Seraphina's confident exterior.
"Perhaps the Seraphina you recall is not the same woman sitting before you," she replied, meeting his gaze evenly.Cedric leaned back slightly, his expression unreadable. "Perhaps," he murmured. But his tone betrayed his doubt.
The rest of the meal passed in strained silence, the clinking of cutlery and soft murmurs of servants the only sounds to fill the void. Amelia could feel Cedric's eyes on her, even when she wasn't looking.
---
That night, Amelia couldn't sleep. Her conversation with Cedric replayed in her mind, each word a reminder of the precarious position she was in. She couldn't afford to arouse suspicion, not when her survival depended on rewriting this story.
She wandered the corridors, the mansion shrouded in an eerie quiet. The flickeringlight of the sconces cast long shadows, making the hallways feel like a labyrinth. As if drawn by an unseen force, Amelia found herself outside the library.
The room was massive, with shelves that stretched to the ceiling, filled with books that looked centuries old. She ran her fingers along the spines, the scent of aged parchment and leather filling the air.
Then, tucked away in a forgotten corner, she spotted a small, unassuming journal. The leather cover was worn, the initials "S.A." engraved in gold. Her breath hitched.
"Lady Seraphina Ashbourne."
She opened the journal, the pages filled with neat, intricate handwriting. It wasn't the arrogant boasts she expected—it was something far more personal. Each entry was a glimpse into Seraphina's soul: her regrets, her insecurities, and her fear of betrayal.
One entry stood out:
"Trust no one. Even those closest to you wear masks."
Amelia's heart pounded as the words sank in. Who had betrayed Seraphina? Was it Cedric? One of her servants? Or perhaps someone even closer?
Before she could think further, the soft sound of footsteps echoed in the hallway. Panic surged through her. Quickly, she slipped the journal into her gown and turned toward the doorway, her heart racing. Cedric appeared, his silhouette imposing in the dim light. His sharp gaze immediately landed on her.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, his voice calm but laced with suspicion.
Amelia forced herself to smile, though her palms were clammy. "I couldn't sleep and thought I'd read. The library seemed... soothing."
Cedric's gaze flicked to the shelf behind her. For a moment, she feared he could see through her lies, straight to the journal hidden beneath her dress.
"Be careful what you uncover, Lady Seraphina," he said, his voice dropping to a low murmur. "Some truths are better left buried."He lingered for a moment, his eyes locking onto hers as if issuing a silent warning. Then, without another word, he turned and disappeared into the shadows of the corridor.
Amelia let out a shaky breath, her fingers brushing against the hidden journal. The weight of Cedric's words settled heavily on her. Whatever secrets Seraphina had kept, they were dangerous enough for someone to want them buried. And now, Amelia was entangled in a web she didn't fully understand.