The palace hummed with activity as preparations for an upcoming royal ball began. Servants darted through the halls, carrying fabrics and decorations, while advisors whispered about the guest list. For Seraphina, the bustle was a distraction she welcomed, anything to keep her mind from spiraling further into despair.
She watched from her balcony as the workers assembled the grand stage in the courtyard below. Her heart felt heavy as she thought about the revelation Lorenzo had shared. A marriage—her marriage—was nothing but a political move to ensure survival.
A knock on the door pulled her from her thoughts. "Come in," she said, her voice subdued.
Lady Amara, her closest confidant, entered, her bright eyes immediately scanning Seraphina's face. "You've been quiet," Amara said, setting a tray of tea on the table. "Care to tell me what's bothering you?"
Seraphina hesitated. She had always confided in Amara, but this felt different. Still, the burden was too much to bear alone.
"It's my father," she began, sitting down. "He's made arrangements without consulting me."
Amara raised a brow, her curiosity piqued. "Arrangements? For what?"
Seraphina took a deep breath. "A marriage... with Lorenzo De Luca."
Amara's eyes widened. "The mafia heir?" she whispered, her voice tinged with disbelief.
"Yes." Seraphina's gaze dropped to the tea cup in her hands. "It's all for an alliance, a way to secure the kingdom. But what about me? My desires? My freedom?"
Amara placed a reassuring hand on hers. "This is unfair, Seraphina. You deserve to choose your own path."
Before Seraphina could respond, the door swung open. Lorenzo stood there, his expression unreadable. "Am I interrupting?"
Amara rose, giving Seraphina a knowing look before excusing herself.
"What do you want?" Seraphina asked, her voice sharp.
Lorenzo leaned against the doorframe, his posture relaxed yet imposing. "Your father requested my presence at the council meeting. I thought I'd check on you first."
"Check on me?" she scoffed. "Why? To ensure I'm still playing my part in your little game?"
His smirk faded, replaced by a serious expression. "This isn't a game to me, Seraphina. I don't like this any more than you do, but we both know the stakes are too high to ignore."
"Easy for you to say," she snapped. "You're not the one being traded like a commodity."
His dark eyes softened, and for a moment, she thought she saw something genuine behind his guarded facade. "You think I don't understand sacrifice? My entire life has been about giving up what I want for what's necessary."
She stared at him, unsure of how to respond. He stepped closer, his voice dropping to a near whisper.
"Whether you like it or not, we're in this together now. So stop fighting me and start fighting for yourself."
Before she could say anything, he turned and walked out, leaving her alone with her thoughts.
For the first time, Seraphina began to wonder: was Lorenzo her enemy, or her only ally in a battle she didn't even realize she was fighting?
TBC...