Chapter 7

Mathias frowned as he swept a glance at the unconscious Cordelia in bed. He replied impatiently. "All right."

The old physician passed a silver blade to Seraphina right away. She took a deep breath before taking the blade and aiming it at her heart. When the sharp blade sliced into her skin, she nearly passed out from the intense pain, but she bit her lip and refused to call out in pain.

Her blood dripped from the silver blade and down her hand. One drop, two drops… Seraphina's sight started to blur. She had no idea how much time had passed before she heard the physician call out in delight, "Lady Cordelia is awake!"

Mathias lunged toward the bed and hugged Cordelia tight in his arms. His voice was incredibly soft as he uttered, "You're finally awake, Cordelia…"

Meanwhile, Seraphina struggled to stand. She used the last of her strength to bite the tip of her finger to write on a white handkerchief with her blood—'Mathias Cavendish, the crown prince, agrees that Seraphina Montclair is free to marry whomever she desires and promises to never harass her or give trouble to her husband.'

Every word written exhausted Seraphina's stamina, and it felt like her broken heart was being paraded to the world in those words as her blood was absorbed into the handkerchief. "My condition is for Your Highness to put your seal on this handkerchief…"

Seraphina handed the handkerchief with the bloody words on it to Mathias with trembling hands. He was too occupied with the awakened Cordelia and printed his seal on it without looking at it. "Happy?"

She clenched the bloody handkerchief weakly and looked at the bright, red seal on it. She suddenly laughed as tears streamed down her face. She was happy. It was finally all over.

Seraphina locked herself in her room for the next few days to recuperate from her wound. Montclair House was bustling as everyone was making preparations for Cordelia to marry into the palace. Seraphina was the only one who sat quietly in front of the window to stare at a pear tree, which had lost all its blossoms, in the garden.

"It's time to dress up, Ms. Montclair." Lottie entered the room with Seraphina's wedding gown as she teared up.

Seraphina snapped out of her reverie. It was her wedding day, and also the day Cordelia would be married into the palace. Montclair House was decorated brilliantly for Cordelia's wedding.

As for a mistress' daughter like her who would be married to the borders, she would be exiting from a side door where no one would notice.

"I heard that His Highness has personally come to pick up Lady Cordelia and has even brought more gifts for her," Lottie said in a whisper while brushing Seraphina's hair. "Every woman in the city is envious of her…"

Seraphina listened quietly without feeling anything in her heart. She knew that she had finally let him go. She was about to change into her wedding gown when loud music and drumming could be heard outside.

"His Highness is here for Lady Cordelia!" A maid ran into the room excitedly. "Ms. Montclair, according to tradition, His Highness will be presenting gifts to the family's sisters. Come outside, quick."

Seraphina had no choice but to leave her room.

When she arrived at the main door, Mathias was riding a big horse toward them in his wedding suit, looking extremely handsome. He was smiling happily as he looked forward to finally marrying the love of his life.

Mathias came forward with gifts for all the sisters. Every one of Seraphina's sisters was given jewelry, but Seraphina was the only one who received the deed to a land. It was the deed for a mansion in West Caventon.

Seraphina's finger trembled as she looked up at Mathias and met the indifference in his eyes. She was suddenly reminded of what he said to her on that day, "Once Cordelia and I are married, I'll find a mansion and move you there."

She smiled bitterly. He had always planned to make her live in the shadows. Unfortunately, she was no longer the same woman who could be easily manipulated because she had loved him.

Seraphina was no longer afraid that Mathias would punish her when he found out the truth, as he had printed the crown prince's seal on her blood contract, which was hidden in her pockets.

The contract had clearly written that Seraphina was free to marry whomever she wanted, and he could not go back on his words as he had personally sealed it.

Mathias noticed something different about Seraphina when he saw her looking blankly at the deed. He frowned, wanting to go up to her, but that was when a huge commotion was heard from inside Montclair House.

Cordelia was dressed magnificently in her wedding gown as a crowd of people ushered her out the door.

He turned away from Seraphina right away as he only had eyes for his bride. Seraphina watched quietly as Mathias and Cordelia left hand in hand, and she returned to her room.

The candlelight flickered as she placed the deed into the fire and watched it slowly burn to ashes.

"It's time to dress you up, Ms. Montclair," Lottie said with teary eyes as she put on the veil for Seraphina.

Seraphina looked breathtakingly beautiful in her wedding gown as the mirror reflected her beauty. She took a last look at the mansion that had kept her locked up for years, and she left for the far borders without looking back.

She was finally free from all ties with the House of Montclair and Mathias. The Seraphina Montclair, who was in love with Mathias, was forever left behind and buried in this winter season, never to return.