The throne room was bathed in an ethereal glow as sunlight streamed through the tall windows, reflecting off golden accents that adorned the space. The council had convened in full, a rare occurrence that immediately put Seraphina on edge.
King Aldred sat on his throne, his expression stern as his advisors murmured amongst themselves. At the foot of the dais stood Lorenzo De Luca, his dark figure a stark contrast against the opulence surrounding him.
"Ah, Seraphina," her father greeted, gesturing for her to approach. "We were just discussing the terms of our arrangement with Mr. De Luca."
The tension in the room was palpable as she stepped forward. Lorenzo's eyes followed her every move, calm and calculating, like a predator assessing its prey.
"Is it truly wise to make such an arrangement?" she asked, her voice steady despite the storm brewing within her. "We've survived without outside interference for centuries."
A murmur rippled through the council, some nodding in agreement while others exchanged uneasy glances.
Lorenzo smirked, his confidence unshaken. "Survived, yes. Thrived? That's another matter entirely."
"And you believe you're the answer to that?" Seraphina shot back, her tone sharper than intended.
Lorenzo stepped closer, his presence commanding even in the face of her defiance. "I don't offer answers, Princess. I offer solutions. Your father understands this."
She turned to her father, frustration bubbling beneath her composed exterior. "Surely there's another way. Aligning ourselves with someone like him—"
"Enough," the King said, his voice echoing through the chamber. "Seraphina, you speak out of turn."
Her jaw tightened, but she bowed her head in deference. "My apologies, Father."
"Mr. De Luca's resources are invaluable to securing our kingdom's future," the King continued. "And his presence here is non-negotiable."
Non-negotiable. The words felt like a blow, a stark reminder of how little say she had in her own life.
"I understand," she replied softly, though her hands curled into fists at her sides.
The meeting concluded shortly after, the council dismissing one by one. Seraphina lingered near the doors, watching as Lorenzo exchanged a few final words with her father.
When the King departed, Lorenzo turned to her, his smirk returning. "You're not convinced."
"Your arrogance astounds me," she said, her voice low. "Do you think you can simply waltz into my kingdom and take whatever you please?"
He stepped closer, his dark eyes locking onto hers. "What I take, Princess, I earn. And trust me, I don't need your approval to do it."
The intensity in his gaze sent a chill down her spine, but she refused to back down. "You may have my father's trust, but you'll never have mine."
"Good," he said, his tone soft yet dangerously compelling. "Trust is a fragile thing, and once broken, it's impossible to repair."
Before she could respond, he turned and walked away, leaving her alone in the vast, silent throne room.
For the first time in her life, Seraphina felt as though the ground beneath her was shifting. And she wasn't sure if she could stand firm.
TBC...