LOGINSerene’s POV“Where did you get this?" he asked, taking a step towards me. “How the hell do you have this, Serene?"I scowled at him. "Give that back to me." I snapped, lunging forward and snatching the document out of his hands."Serene, hand it over,” Lucas demanded, stepping into my space, towering over me as he reached for the document. "You don't understand what that is.”I backed away and held the document behind my back. My hands shook so violently I thought I might drop it, but I glared at him. "I will tear it into a thousand pieces before I let you take it.""Serene." Lucas roared, his voice rattling the trees. "That is royal property. Give it to me!""This is the book that ruined my family," I yelled back. "My name is Serene Ashton. My father was Arthur Ashton, the captain of the royal guard that your father executed years ago.”Lucas froze and the color drained from his face. His eyes went wide in shock as he stared at me, repeating the name under his breath. "Arthur... As
Serene’s POV She reached out, her fingers taking a lock of my hair and twisting it. “What if I told you that your father, your mother, and your brother died wrongly at the hands of the royal family... what would you be willing to do then?"Eloisa’s words hung in the evening air like a cloud of poison, suffocating me. “So what are you saying?” I asked, unable to hide the trembling of my whole body now. “That my enemy is the royal family? Is that it?”She smirked and stepped back, releasing my hair. “Depends… what do you think?”Before I could process her question, she reached into her cloak and pulled out a hardcover book. It looked old, and the front had an inscription that had faded slightly. She thrust the book forward, letting it drop heavily into my trembling hands."Take it," she said, her voice dripping with sickly sweet satisfaction. "This is it. The very truth your father died to protect. I originally intended to hand this over to Lucas myself and secure my position at his
Serene’s POVI was unable to spend another moment inside the house, so I decided to take a walk. I grabbed my cloak and stepped outside; the cool evening air brushed against my face, carrying the scent of pine from the surrounding mountains. The sun was slowly starting to set, and I shut my eyes, dragging in a deep breath and exhaling. Once I opened my eyes, I started walking, admiring the peaceful quiet of the village. "Are you doing alright, Lucas?" I muttered under my breath, pulling the cloak tighter around me. "Are you handling the council... or are you driving James crazy?"A bittersweet pang twisted in my heart as his face flashed through my mind. I missed his voice, his arrogant scowl, and the fierce way he had looked at me before I left the capital. But I knew I couldn't go back… not yet.I needed to clear my head, so I continued walking aimlessly down the cobblestone path that led toward the end of the village. The village was peaceful and quaint; it was a stark contrast
Serene’s POVThe floorboards creaked under my feet as I pushed open the door to my father’s old study. A heavy blanket of dust hung in the air, and the room smelled strongly of old books and ink. It was a smell that felt both completely strange and intimately familiar.The bookshelves were several heads taller than me, and I had to tilt my head all the way up just to get a good look at them. I was amazed by how all the shelves were packed to the brim with books and scrolls. I dragged a ladder across the floor, setting its iron wheels against one of the shelves.“There has to be something here that can point me to my family’s execution,” I muttered to myself and rolled up my sleeves with determination.I took a deep breath and climbed the ladder, examining each of the books, but they all had long and boring titles. ‘History of the Southern Provinces.’‘The holy tome of military stratagem for kingdoms.’‘How to train your body and mind to resist poisonous substances.’Almost every si
Lucas POV He offered a placating smile and then bowed. “It might be wise to hear what she has to say and send her on her way if it doesn’t interest you.”I stared at James, furious that he was right. Starting another battle was the last thing I needed right now, even when every instinct I possessed screamed at me to throw the entire Brandon family into the dungeon."Fine," I growled, adjusting the collar of my shirt. "Inform Lady Eloisa that I will meet her in the glass gazebo in five minutes.”"R-Right away, Your Majesty!" the attendant squeaked before scrambling out the door.******The gardens smelled of wild roses and hydrangeas; it was a powerful combination but somehow soothed me. I was sitting inside the glass gazebo, my arms crossed tightly over my chest while I tapped my boot impatiently against the floor.Eloisa was sitting across from me, her eyes searching my face as if it held the answer to what she was looking for. Five minutes had passed in silence, and I was beginni
Lucas POVThe endless stack of papers on my desk seemed to double in size with every breath I took.I leaned back in my armchair, rubbing my thumb and forefinger against the bridge of my nose, trying to dull the throbbing ache behind my eyes. The rays of sunlight filtered through the windows, illuminating floating dust motes and the annoying rustle of paper coming from across the room."At eight in the evening, Your Majesty, the orchestra will commence the opening waltz in the ballroom," Lord James droned on while holding a long scroll of parchment. He adjusted his spectacles and continued reading. "Following the opening dance, the head steward recommends a three-course meal presented to the noble houses, after which the young ladies of the high court will be presented to you for the birthday dance-""Cancel the orchestra," I interrupted, not looking up from the map I was reading. "And cut the presentations in half."James paused, lowering his scroll with a theatrical sigh. "Your Ma







