It had been a month since the New Year's festival, and the usual rhythm of court life was back in full swing.
Seraphina had settled into her role with quiet ease, though a few things had shifted in the past few weeks.
For one, Reiner had been noticeably absent from her side, something she had noticed more than she cared to admit.
Whether it was the awkwardness of the rejection or something deeper, it didn't matter, he had all but disappeared from her presence.
It didn't bother her as much as it probably should have, but even so, there was a nagging feeling in her chest every time she saw his name on a report or heard a passing mention of his patrols.
But that was nothing compared to the real changes happening.
Lady Elira and Kaelen Varian had done wonders for the shop.
They had spread their medical knowledge far and wide, gaining influence and trust in every town they visited.
The demand for Seraphina's medicine had exploded, and with it, the potential to save lives across the kingdom.
It was exactly the kind of influence Seraphina needed, but it also meant her enemies were starting to take notice.
Things were moving behind the scenes.
Whether it was the nobles or other kingdoms, everyone seemed to be positioning themselves for what would come next.
The once-distant idea of a future full of new opportunities had now become her daily reality.
Sometimes, in the quiet of her chambers, Seraphina would pause and think back to her old life in Korea.
The thought of the small chicken restaurant she worked at would always bring a smile to her face.
The greasy aprons, the smell of deep-fried chicken, and the way the customers would argue over whether the spicy sauce was too much.
That place had been her refuge during some of her loneliest moments.
"Maybe I'll open a restaurant here," she thought with a snicker.
"A chicken-themed restaurant. Perhaps a little niche business could be my next funding idea for the shop…"
She imagined it.
A simple place, with crispy fried chicken and sauces of all kinds.
The thought made her laugh aloud, drawing an odd look from a passing servant.
She waved it off with a wink.
The other day, she had jotted down some notes about her old job, remembering the recipes she used to make on her breaks.
Chicken could be universal, right?
Maybe she could combine her medical shop's success with a bit of culinary entrepreneurship.
Who wouldn't want a well-fed populace, after all?
Plus, it could be a fun distraction from the madness that always surrounded her.
But that was all for later.
Right now, she had to focus.
As her feet clicked down the hall toward her father's chambers, Seraphina was already mentally preparing for another one of his lectures.
Her father was rarely ever pleased with her efforts and was sure to comment on her recent activities.
But she couldn't help the sense of excitement that fluttered inside her.
Every small step forward felt like a victory in her grand plan.
"Ah, Your Highness," a servant greeted her with a bow, snapping her out of her thoughts.
"The king is expecting you"
"Of course," she muttered with a light, sarcastic smile.
"I live for these meetings"
An Hour Later
The meeting with her father was, as expected, nothing more than a monotonous exchange of reports.
His words were coated in praise, praise she didn't ask for but was still strangely gratifying.
The king had been full of accolades for Seraphina's contributions during the war and her growing influence through the medicine shop.
It seemed that the kingdom was finally starting to recognize her value, even if her father still saw her mostly as a tool for his own political gain.
"Very good, Seraphina," he said, his tone both dismissive and congratulatory.
"I'll make sure to mention your 'achievements' at the upcoming council meeting"
"Perhaps you could expand your shop further and start selling to other nations. The kingdom of Feran would certainly benefit from—"
"Father," Seraphina interrupted, "I've heard enough. I'll expand the shop when I see fit"
Her father shot her a glare, his mouth tightening in annoyance.
"Don't test me, Seraphina. You may have helped the war effort, but you still have a responsibility to your kingdom"
"There are greater matters at play here than your little shop"
"Of course, Your Majesty," she said with a practiced, sweet smile.
"I won't forget my duties"
After her father's tiresome meeting had ended, Seraphina found herself walking back toward her chambers, once again lost in thought.
"Maybe I do need more distractions…" she mused, once again drifting into the thoughts of her part-time job.
She had always enjoyed the simplicity of working in the chicken restaurant.
Maybe the next step in this world should involve opening a restaurant.
It was a strange thought, but it was a way to add some joy to the growing tension.
"I should talk to Lady Argi about it"
As if on cue, she turned a corner to find Argi waiting outside her door.
The girl was practically bouncing with excitement.
"Are you still thinking about it?"
Argi asked, her tone knowing.
"Thinking about what?"
Seraphina asked, feigning innocence.
Argi raised an eyebrow.
"About your restaurant idea. I've been wondering when you'd come to me about it"
'Shit… I sometimes think out loud, she must have heard me when I went on a rant, must be careful in the future…'
Seraphina gave her a sheepish grin.
"Well, maybe it's not such a bad idea after all. It could be a good way to fund the shop"
"Ha! I knew you'd come around!"
Argi grinned back, her blue eyes lighting up.
"So, what's it going to be? Fried chicken? Roast chicken? I'm guessing you're going all-in on the chicken"
Seraphina laughed.
"We'll see. It's just a little idea. But hey, why not bring a bit of joy to this kingdom through food?"
"I'm in," Argi said with a grin.
"Let me know when you start planning, and I'll help you however I can"
The two shared a laugh before Argi went on her way, leaving Seraphina to her thoughts.
As she watched Argi disappear into the hallway, Seraphina felt a strange sense of peace.
She had so much to do, so many enemies lurking in the shadows, and so many challenges ahead.
But for the first time in weeks, she couldn't help but feel like maybe, just maybe things were finally starting to come together.
With a quiet smile, she whispered to herself, "After all, I'm Seraphina Lumastra. The crown princess"
She walked the halls of the castle with a little more pep in her step, her thoughts still buzzing about the restaurant idea. I
t was absurd, really, but the more she thought about it, the more it felt like something she needed to do.
A restaurant was a simple thing, and yet it could have so much meaning, an easy way to make a difference.
And besides, she could probably use the distraction.
As she rounded the corner, she nearly bumped into Lord Aleron Nezumi, who had been walking in the opposite direction.
His piercing green eyes swept over her before he gave a small, almost imperceptible bow.
"Your Highness," he said with a hint of amusement in his voice.
"I see you're in a particularly good mood today. What's the cause?"
Seraphina suppressed a smile.
"I'm always in a good mood," she replied, matching his tone.
"It's just the weight of the kingdom's responsibilities weighing me down as usual"
Aleron raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced.
"I highly doubt it's just that. But then again, it's not my place to inquire further"
"You're right, it's not"
Seraphina's voice was playful but firm.
She wasn't in the mood for one of their usual, long-winded conversations about power dynamics and hidden alliances.
Aleron seemed to sense the shift in her demeanor and smiled knowingly.
"I suppose I'll leave you to your thoughts. But if you ever need someone to discuss your… projects with, you know where to find me"
Seraphina nodded.
"I'll keep that in mind. But for now, I'm off to handle more 'royal duties,' as my father calls them"
She made air quotes with her fingers, unable to hide her sarcasm.
With a brief smile, Aleron stepped aside and let her pass, his green eyes lingering on her retreating form for a moment longer than necessary.
Seraphina didn't let it faze her.
Aleron was always a bit mysterious, and she had learned to ignore his subtle interest in her affairs.
He'd already made it clear that he had his own agenda, one that didn't necessarily align with hers.
Still, it was hard to deny the occasional tension between them.
By the time Seraphina returned to her chambers, the evening had settled in.
She found herself facing yet another stack of paperwork, diplomatic letters, local petitions, requests for medical supplies from distant villages, and sighed.
Some things never changed.
But then, her thoughts were pulled back to the restaurant idea again.
Could she really pull it off?
What would the people think of it?
And more importantly, how would she finance it?
A small restaurant was a big investment, and she had only a handful of coins left after the shop's expansion.
Maybe this was where she could get creative.
Lady Argi had already offered her help, and the kingdom was slowly getting used to the idea of Seraphina as more than just a political pawn.
Perhaps there was more to this than just a frivolous fantasy.
If the kingdom of Lumastra could thrive under her father's shit rule, why couldn't her little chicken restaurant?
Lost in her thoughts, she barely heard the knock on her door until it came again, louder this time.
"Your Highness?"
It was Rhea.
"Come in," Seraphina called, snapping out of her reverie.
Rhea entered with a small, folded letter in her hands.
"A message for you, Princess. From Lady Elira"
Seraphina took the letter, her curiosity piqued.
Lady Elira had been her closest ally for the past months, and though they were still working together on expanding the medicine business, there was a sense of camaraderie forming between them.
She unfolded the letter and read the words aloud, her voice barely above a whisper:
Dearest Seraphina,
I trust this message finds you well. We've had great success selling the medicine, but I believe there's another matter we must discuss. I have an idea, one that could change everything for you, for us, and for this kingdom.
Meet me at the usual spot tomorrow morning.
Yours in friendship,
Lady Elira Lysandra
Seraphina's eyebrows furrowed in intrigue.
"What could she mean by 'change everything'?" she muttered to herself.
The thought lingered in her mind as she sat down at her desk, the weight of the letter settling with her.
Another plan?
Or something bigger?
One thing was for sure, Lady Elira was not one for idle chatter.
If she wanted to meet, it would be something important.
Later that evening, after finishing yet another round of reports, Seraphina couldn't help but notice a strange feeling bubbling in her chest.
Something had shifted, and it wasn't just the increasing demand for medicine or the idea of opening a restaurant.
She was getting closer to something.
But what?
Something about the direction of the kingdom, the alliances, her father's intentions, it all felt like pieces of a puzzle slowly being pushed into place.
And as much as she tried to ignore it, she knew deep down that her enemies had started to move.
Whether she liked it or not, her past, the one she couldn't escape was beginning to catch up with her.
"Haah and this is barely the start of year two…"
"Well… I'll sleep on it for now, I'll figure it out as the day continues"
The Following Morning
As the sun barely peeked over the horizon, Seraphina found herself making her way toward the usual spot, the small, quiet garden behind the castle where she often met Lady Elira.
It was secluded enough to ensure privacy, and that was something both of them valued.
As she approached the garden, she saw Elira already there, standing by the fountain with her back turned.
She was dressed in a simple yet elegant gown, her hair cascading down her back like a river of fire.
Elira always seemed so put together, so sure of herself.
"Lady Elira," Seraphina greeted, walking up to her with a faint smile.
Elira turned around with a grin.
"Ah, Princess, you're punctual as always," she teased.
"I had a feeling you'd show up exactly on time"
Seraphina chuckled softly.
"You know I'm not one for wasting time. Especially not with important matters on the horizon"
Elira's eyes gleamed with a knowing look.
"Exactly. That's why I called you here. We need to discuss something, something that could change the course of the future"
Seraphina tilted her head, her curiosity piqued.
"Go on"
Lady Elira took a deep breath, a flash of excitement dancing in her eyes.
"I've been thinking a lot about the medicine shop. We've had good success, but we're still operating in the shadows"
"What if we took it a step further? I have contacts in several kingdoms, and with your royal status, we could open a series of medical centers"
"Not just for the common folk, but for all, rich, poor, noble, peasant alike. It could change the kingdom's entire approach to healthcare"
Seraphina blinked in surprise.
"You want to expand? To the point of establishing actual medical centers?"
Elira nodded enthusiastically.
"Yes. You see, Seraphina, this could be the key to your legacy. More than a shop"
"More than just medicine. This could be the defining project of your rule. Imagine a future where your name is remembered not for past issues, but for this"
"For healing"
"For saving lives"
The weight of Elira's words settled heavily on Seraphina.
Her initial skepticism began to fade, replaced by the sense that Elira was onto something.
It wasn't just about medicine anymore, it was about creating something that would endure, something that would leave a mark on the world.
But still, there was one thing that nagged at her.
"And what about my father?"
Seraphina asked, her voice quieter now.
"Will he allow such an expansion of power? He doesn't exactly have faith in me or my ability to lead"
Elira's face softened, her expression thoughtful.
"That's exactly why this needs to be done. You're not just trying to prove yourself to him, you're proving it to the people"
"And I believe that's the key. If you can show that you care about them, that you're capable of doing something more than just being a political pawn, they'll stand behind you"
Seraphina felt a lump form in her throat.
Elira had always been a supportive ally, but hearing this now, felt like more than just another business idea.
It was a chance at something greater.
Before she could say anything more, Elira added, "Think of it as the first step toward true independence"
"A way to carve your own path. No one can take that away from you"
Seraphina let out a breath she didn't realize she had been holding.
"Alright. I'm in. But we'll need resources, land, workers, and supplies"
"This isn't something we can just pull off without a plan"
"I've already got contacts," Elira replied with a wink.
"Don't worry about the details. We can get started right away"
The rest of the morning was spent hashing out a rough outline for their plan, the two women brainstorming ideas and discussing logistics.
The castle, once a place of stifling pressure and expectation, felt a little lighter today.
By midday, they had agreed on a strategy.
They would start by setting up a small medical center in a nearby town, offering free services to those in need.
If successful, they could expand the model to other towns and eventually cities.
As they finished their discussion, Seraphina's mind wandered to the next steps.
She would need to prepare herself for the challenges ahead.
Expanding like this was bound to attract attention, both from allies and enemies alike.
Speaking of enemies, she couldn't shake the feeling that they were already making moves.
She had caught whispers of secret meetings in dark corners of the kingdom, but no one could confirm who was behind them.
The thought weighed on her as she said her goodbyes to Elira and made her way back to the castle.
There was no doubt about it, her enemies were starting to make their moves, and she had to be ready.
Later that evening, Seraphina sat alone in her chambers, staring out the window.
The sun had set, and the moon hung low in the sky, casting a pale light over the castle grounds.
Her thoughts kept drifting back to the restaurant idea.
It had seemed like such a silly notion at first, but now… now it felt like part of something that could become a real possibility.
A new direction.
A fresh start.
And who knew?
Maybe one day, the restaurant would become a symbol of her new beginning, just as the medical centers would be.
But for now, she had to take things one step at a time.
As night fell over the castle, Seraphina found herself pacing back and forth in her chambers.
The weight of the day's discussions lingered in her mind, her thoughts consumed by the future.
The people she was dealing with, both allies and enemies, were not to be underestimated.
Her father, who had made it clear that he only saw her as a tool for his kingdom's gain, would likely have his own opinions about this newfound ambition.
She needed a plan.
She needed leverage.
And, most importantly, she needed more allies.
Seraphina had always been good at reading people, a skill that had served her well in the past.
Lady Elira, while a trusted friend, was no fool.
She too understood the risks involved.
But there was one person who still made Seraphina uneasy… her father.
She couldn't afford to have him standing in the way of her progress.
Not now, when everything was finally starting to come together.
With a deep sigh, she pulled her curtains open, gazing out over the kingdom from her window.
The moonlight cast a soft glow over the sprawling land below.
For a brief moment, she allowed herself to forget the weight of her responsibilities and just breathe.
She was alive.
She was here.
And it felt like she was beginning to carve out her own place in the world.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock at the door.
She turned around, wiping away the hint of a smile from her lips, and called out, "Come in"
The door creaked open, and Rhea stepped inside, her warm presence filling the room.
"Your Highness," Rhea greeted with a polite bow.
"I have prepared your evening tea. Shall I bring it to you?"
Seraphina smiled at Rhea, her heart warmed by her unwavering loyalty.
"Please, Rhea. Thank you," she replied softly.
Rhea set down the tea tray on the nearby table and moved to pour the tea into a delicate porcelain cup.
"You seem lost in thought, my lady," Rhea observed, her eyes filled with gentle concern.
"I suppose I am," Seraphina said, her voice distant.
"There's much to consider, and I feel like time is slipping away"
Rhea's hands paused in their task of pouring the tea, and she looked at Seraphina with a knowing expression.
"You've made great strides already, Your Highness. The people are starting to see you for who you truly are. Don't forget that"
Seraphina chuckled softly.
"I suppose. It just feels like there's always something more to do, more to prove. And my father, he's never going to understand, is he?"
Rhea's eyes softened.
"Your father is... difficult to predict. But he has always been focused on what benefits him, what strengthens his reign"
"You are not just a pawn in his game, my lady. You are more than that"
Seraphina let out a breath, her gaze falling on the tea in front of her.
She didn't know whether Rhea's words were meant to comfort her or if they were simply a reminder of the burden she carried.
Either way, she had to keep moving forward.
No matter the obstacles.
"I've been thinking about the future," Seraphina mused, picking up her teacup.
"Not just for the kingdom, but for myself as well"
Rhea nodded.
"And what are your plans?"
"I want to build something that matters. A legacy. Medicine is just the beginning, but... I think it could be more than just about healing the body"
"It could change the way people see the world, the way they live"
"I don't want to be remembered as a villainess. I want to be remembered as someone who made a difference"
Rhea's eyes sparkled with pride.
"And you will, Your Highness. I do not doubt that"
Seraphina smiled and in a low mumble whispered, "Thank you… mom"
The Following Week
Seraphina put her plans into motion.
She met with Elira again to discuss the logistics of expanding the medical project, and with Kaelen to start gathering resources from the neighboring regions.
They would need everything from trained healers to medicinal herbs, and of course, the right people to oversee it all.
At the same time, Seraphina couldn't ignore the nagging feeling that her enemies were closing in.
Whispers in the shadows, movements behind closed doors, there was something brewing, something that would inevitably come to a head sooner rather than later.
Her attention was suddenly pulled to a distant figure standing at the gates of the castle.
It was Reiner, her knight, dressed in his usual armor.
He was standing tall, gazing up at the castle with an unreadable expression on his face.
Seraphina's eyes widened in surprise, but she quickly composed herself.
Reiner had been avoiding her for a month, ever since the rejection.
It wasn't like him to just appear out of nowhere.
"Reiner," she muttered under her breath, her lips curling into a small, almost involuntary smile.
'Just like she said… this man is loyal to a fault…'
Reiner turned, sensing her presence, and turned around.
His expression remained stoic, but his eyes, those deep brown eyes told a different story.
He was conflicted, unsure.
Seraphina glanced at him briefly before turning her gaze away, focusing instead on the task ahead.
As the day slowly faded, casting long shadows across the castle grounds, Seraphina sat in silence.
Her fingers lightly tapped against the armrest of her chair, her thoughts racing.
There was so much ahead of her, plans to execute, alliances to solidify, and a kingdom to manage.
But amidst all the tasks at hand, something else lingered in her mind.
The medical shop was growing, yes, and with Lady Elira and Kaelen's help, the medicine was reaching more people.
But Seraphina knew that this was only the beginning.
She had a purpose beyond what anyone expected.
She exhaled slowly, the weight of her thoughts grounding her as she turned her gaze toward the castle's courtyard.
The faint sound of laughter and chatter echoed from the distant hallways.
She knew she had a role to play, but what if there was more?
What if she could reshape everything?
Seraphina's fingers grazed the necklace she wore, the symbol of her family, and she made a silent vow to herself.
No one would define her anymore.
Not her father, not the expectations placed on her, not even the enemies who lurked in the shadows.
"I will be more than just your name," she whispered softly to herself.
"I will be a force to be reckoned with and when you return, I would have already carved a path with blood and roses for you to walk on"
She stood up, her resolve solidifying.
The kingdom awaited her, and there was work to do.
As the night settled in around her, she walked toward the door, ready to face the challenges ahead.