Seraphina panted under the dimming moonlight. Her body trembled, partly from the cold night air, partly from the wild breath of the wolf that had nearly claimed her life moments ago. In front of her stood a man in a long, dark cloak. His eyes were as sharp as daggers, watching her with an unreadable expression.
"W-who… are you?" Seraphina struggled to find her voice.
The man didn't answer. He only stared at her, as if assessing whether she was a threat or not. His hair was messy, partially covered by his hood, but his face—his face made Seraphina speechless.
John's face.
Impossible, she thought. She must be hallucinating from the fear she had just experienced. But when their eyes met, she knew she wasn't mistaken.
"I am Prince Adrian of Valoria," the man finally spoke, his voice deep and firm. "And you are in my territory."
Seraphina froze, stepping back instinctively. Prince? Valoria? Territory? It all sounded like a strange, absurd nightmare. She reached for something to steady herself, but the world around her continued to spin.
"I don't know how I got here… I—" Seraphina bit her lip, trying to suppress her trembling. "I'm just lost."
Prince Adrian raised an eyebrow. "Lost? In the Forbidden Forest, miles away from the nearest city?" He took a step closer, the distance between them shrinking until Seraphina could smell the scent of wine and burning wood on his cloak. "Who are you really?"
"I…" Seraphina hesitated, her mind racing. Should she tell the truth? But who would believe that she came from another world?
"I'm Seraphina," she finally said. "I'm just looking for a way home."
Adrian stared at her intently. "Seraphina," he murmured, as if the name was both foreign and familiar. "A name uncommon here."
Suddenly, footsteps approached. Two men in silver uniforms emerged from the trees. "Your Highness, are you all right?" one of them asked, eyeing Seraphina suspiciously.
Adrian glanced at them briefly before turning back to Seraphina. "I'm fine," he replied. "Take her to the palace. We need to know more about our uninvited guest."
Seraphina held her breath. "The palace?"
"Yes," Adrian said flatly. "And from now on, don't try to escape. This place is far more dangerous than you realize."
With no other choice, Seraphina followed them. Her mind swirled with countless questions, but one haunted her the most: Why did Prince Adrian's face resemble John's so much? Was it just a coincidence, or was there something bigger behind all of this?
As they neared the towering palace gates under the moonlight, Seraphina felt her heart race. Whatever awaited her beyond those doors, her life would never be the same again.
"Welcome to Valoria, Seraphina," Adrian said before stepping inside. "This may not be a place you wish to stay, but you have no other choice."
---
The sky over the Kingdom of Valoria gleamed with golden hues as the carriage rolled through the palace gates. Its heavy wheels clattered against the neatly arranged cobblestone road. Seraphina gazed out of the small window, her eyes locking onto the towering spires that stood tall like giants guarding the entire realm. The Valorian palace wasn't just enormous—it was filled with a grandeur that took her breath away.
"Don't be too impressed," Prince Adrian said coldly beside her. "This place is not as beautiful as it seems."
The carriage came to a halt in the main courtyard. Servants immediately lined up, bowing as Adrian stepped out. Seraphina hesitated before following him, taking in the unfamiliar atmosphere that was so different from the world she knew.
Before them, a wide marble staircase led to the grand entrance of the palace, adorned with intricate carvings of dragons and lions. Towering pillars supported a majestic ceiling, while crystal chandeliers hung elegantly along the corridors. Yet beneath all the opulence, Seraphina felt something heavy—a dark secret lurking in every corner.
Adrian walked briskly, barely giving her time to breathe. "From now on, you will work here as a palace servant. I suggest you learn quickly, or you won't last long."
Seraphina lowered her head, swallowing the urge to snap back at his sharp words. In her mind, she made a promise to herself—to survive, no matter what.
---
As Seraphina wandered through the palace halls, a noblewoman with golden-brown hair appeared at the end of the corridor. Evelyn Astra Nightsade—a frequent guest at the palace—smiled slightly, but her smile carried an unmistakable meaning. Her eyes scanned Seraphina from head to toe, like a queen evaluating whether her new subject was worthy or not.
"You must be the new servant?" Evelyn asked sweetly, though there was a hidden power in her voice. "I thought this palace was already crowded enough without adding another one."
"My name is Seraphina," she replied, keeping her tone polite even though Evelyn's sharp gaze unsettled her.
"Oh, Seraphina." Evelyn's smile widened, but her eyes remained cold. "Welcome to Valoria. You'll soon learn that not everyone here is kind. Keep that in mind."
Seraphina gave a small nod as Evelyn turned away, her long gown sweeping gracefully behind her.
---
After a few hours in the palace, Seraphina began to realize that this place was more than just a grand castle. Political intrigue hung in the air, whispers between servants and the wary glances of nobles made it clear that every step here had to be taken cautiously.
"Seraphina," an elderly maid named Clara interrupted her thoughts. "Stay away from Lady Evelyn. She is not someone to be trusted."
Seraphina looked at Clara, trying to decipher the meaning behind her words, but the woman simply walked away with a faint smile.
---
At the end of the day, Seraphina stood on a small balcony overlooking the palace gardens. The night breeze carried the scent of roses and jasmine as she stared into the distance, trying to calm her thoughts. But in the shadows, she noticed a cloaked figure standing near the hedges. Their eyes met for a brief moment before the figure turned and disappeared into the dense foliage.
Her heart pounded. In this unfamiliar place, she knew she had to stay vigilant. She didn't know who to trust. But one thing was certain—the Valorian palace was not a welcoming place.
Tonight, for the first time, she realized that her journey would be full of obstacles.
"Who was that cloaked man?" Seraphina whispered to herself. But before she could think further, footsteps approached from behind.
Who was this mysterious figure?
The Valoria Palace stood majestically under the evening sky, its white marble walls reflecting the fading sunlight. Seraphina walked through the long corridors, following a servant who was leading her to the main hall. Her eyes kept moving, trying to take in the place that had now become a part of her life—a world that felt both foreign and enchanting yet terrifying.
Each step echoed within her, as if the palace held thousands of secrets waiting to be uncovered. But before her thoughts could process everything, the large wooden doors before her opened, revealing the figure of Prince Adrian standing in the center of the room.
Adrian was not seated on the throne as Seraphina had imagined but was standing near a large window overlooking the royal gardens. His gaze was cold, nearly devoid of emotion, like a perfect mask concealing his true thoughts. When their eyes met, the air between them grew heavy.
"Seraphina," Adrian spoke, his voice low but firm enough to fill the entire room. "From today onward, you will be directly responsible for my needs in this palace. Do you understand?"
Seraphina frowned. "Your needs, Your Highness? I don't understand."
Adrian lifted his chin slightly, his gaze assessing. "You will ensure my chamber is always in proper condition, prepare the documents I require, and never—" his voice emphasized the last word, "—dare to defy my orders."
Seraphina tried to read Adrian's expression, searching for even a small crack that might reveal a hint of kindness behind his words. But all she found was an impenetrable wall of ice. "Yes, Your Highness," she replied softly, lowering her head.
Adrian turned, stepping closer until only a few feet separated them. "And one more thing," he said, his voice lower, almost a whisper. "I do not like excuses. If you fail, I will not tolerate it."
Seraphina held her breath, feeling a sudden chill envelop the room. "I understand, Your Highness. I will keep that in mind."
"Your best may not be enough," Adrian replied swiftly, with a faint smile that almost resembled mockery. He glanced toward the servant standing near the door. "Make sure she knows the rules here. There is no place for failure."
The servant bowed deeply. "Yes, Your Highness."
As Adrian turned away, Seraphina wanted to say something—to defend herself or at least assure him that she was not an enemy in this place. But the words caught in her throat. She knew it was not yet the time to speak further.
Before leaving the room, Adrian paused at the doorway. "One more thing, Seraphina," he said without turning back. "Never enter the western library. That is not a place meant for you."
Seraphina was puzzled. The western library? Why did that place sound like a guarded secret? However, she simply responded, "Yes, Your Highness."
After Adrian left, the atmosphere in the room felt lighter, though the tension still lingered in the air. Seraphina took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart.
"He is always like that at first," said the servant beside her, breaking the silence. "But believe me, Prince Adrian is not someone easily understood."
"I'm not trying to understand his mind," Seraphina replied, her voice slightly unsteady. "I just want to survive. Though… he does make me wonder."
The servant gave a small smile. "Surviving in this palace is an art in itself. Many come with good intentions, but not all last long."
Seraphina said nothing. A new challenge had begun. One thing was certain—Adrian was not just a cold ruler but a mystery she had to unravel.
As Seraphina stepped out of the hall, her thoughts still revolved around Adrian's command. However, as she turned the corner toward her chamber, a faint whisper from the direction of the western library stopped her in her tracks. Something—or someone—was waiting for her there.
---
The sound of trickling water from the palace garden fountain echoed softly as Seraphina walked through the rose-canopied corridor. Her hands still felt sticky from cleaning the kitchen, but she didn't care. The beauty of Valoria's garden gave her a brief escape from exhaustion.
But the peace was soon disrupted. The sharp click of high heels echoed behind her. Seraphina turned to see Evelyn standing not far away, her red gown billowing in the breeze.
"Enjoying the view, are we, new servant?" Evelyn walked closer, her tone too sweet to be sincere.
Seraphina nodded slightly. "This garden is indeed beautiful, Lady Evelyn."
Evelyn stopped right in front of her, scrutinizing Seraphina like a queen assessing her subject. "It's a pity you are not part of this kingdom. You may have forgotten, but your place is not here."
Seraphina swallowed, trying to remain calm. "I am merely doing my duty."
"Oh, of course." Evelyn smirked. "But don't be too ambitious. Some servants who tried to climb too high met unfortunate ends."
Seraphina felt a chill creep up her spine. Evelyn's words sounded more like a veiled threat than advice.
"Once," Evelyn continued, her eyes glinting, "there was a servant who dared to get close to a noble. Unfortunately, she disappeared without a trace. An ancient legend says that anyone who tries to take what isn't theirs in Valoria will be punished by the palace's curse."
"What do you mean, Lady Evelyn?" Seraphina asked, trying to decipher the hidden meaning in Evelyn's words.
Evelyn's smile widened. "Just a warning, so you know your limits."
---
Days passed, but Evelyn's hostility toward Seraphina became more apparent. One day, as Seraphina carried a tray of tea for Queen Helena, Evelyn deliberately bumped into her, causing the porcelain cups to crash onto the marble floor.
"Oh, my apologies," Evelyn said with a falsely sweet voice, though her expression showed no remorse. "You should be more careful, Seraphina. This palace does not forgive carelessness."
Clara quickly helped Seraphina gather the broken pieces. "Ignore her," Clara whispered. "Lady Evelyn is always like that to anyone she sees as a threat."
A threat? Seraphina almost laughed at the thought. She was merely a servant in this grand palace—nothing more. How could she possibly be a threat to Evelyn?
---
One night, when Seraphina returned to her chamber, she found a black rose lying on her bed. Among its dark petals was a small slip of paper with a message:
"Be careful where you step. Not all paths in this palace lead to safety."
Seraphina's heart pounded. She clenched the note tightly, her gaze shifting toward the open window. The cold night breeze seeped into the room, causing the candle on her table to flicker unsteadily, its flame nearly extinguished.
"Who placed this here?" she murmured, fear creeping into her thoughts.
Footsteps echoed in the corridor, approaching rapidly. Seraphina turned toward the door, her heart racing.