LOGINSerene’s POV My breath caught in my throat. "Lucas...?""He was out of his mind with worry the moment you passed through the palace gates," Killian explained, pulling out a drawstring purse that clinked with the unmistakable sound of coins. "He knew you wouldn't accept it, so he ordered me to follow you from a distance, ensure you arrived in Oakhaven safely, and give you this."He held out the purse to me.I stared at the bag and shook my head. "I can't take that, Killian. His Majesty already granted me my wages and a travel stipend. I don't need any more.""Serene, listen to me," Killian said, his voice turning stern as he forcibly pressed the purse into my hands. "This isn't 'charity,’ and in case you don’t know, starting a new life costs money. Plus, he nearly lost his mind worrying if you have enough to eat or a bed to sleep in."Killian gave my fingers a firm squeeze, closing my hand over the purse. "Accept it. If I go back to the capital and tell him you refused, he will march
Serene’s POVI stepped down onto the road, pulling my hood lower over my face, and took a deep breath.The moment my slippers touched the ground of Oakhaven, a strange sense of familiarity vibrated through my chest.I walked down the main village, my heart hammering against my ribs. Everyone was either busy attending to their stalls or walking briskly without sparing a glance in my direction.My eyes scanned everyone, landing on a silver-haired woman stepping out of a bakery with a basket in hand. She had a smile on her face and looked more approachable than others.I smoothed down my skirts and stepped toward her. "Excuse me, ma'am?"The woman turned in my direction, and I pushed the hood away from my face. “I wanted to ask if-”“By the heavens,” the woman gasped, one of her hands flying to cover her mouth. "Serene… is that you?"My jaw dropped slightly. "You... you know my name?""Know your name?” She took two steps forward, reaching out with trembling fingers to touch my shoulder,
Eloisa’s POV I turned and walked away from the archery grounds, heading towards the house. I could still feel everyone staring at me from behind, but I kept my head held high, refusing to let my composure crumble in front of them.When I finally pushed open the door to my room, I locked it firmly behind me.The silence of the room wrapped around me and I walked over to the vanity mirror near the balcony, staring at my reflection. I raised a trembling hand, gripping the edge of the vanity until my knuckles turned white and forcing down the bitter tears threatening to sting my eyes.“I am Eloisa Brandon,” I told myself, staring fiercely at my reflection. “And I will not cry over anyone… I will not.”Suddenly, three sharp knocks rattled the door."Lady Eloisa!" a voice gasped out from the hallway. It was my personal maid, Moira, and she sounded like she had been running. "Lady Eloisa, please open up! I have news from the royal palace!"I straightened my spine, instantly pushing the weak
Eloisa’s POVI exhaled and released the arrow, watching as it hit the bullseye for the sixth time. The other arrows trembled with the force and I dropped the bow, wiping the sweat from my forehead with the back of my hand.A chorus of applause broke out behind me. Two of my personal attendants cheered with excitement while my personal trainer stepped forward, a broad grin spreading across his face."Brilliant shooting, Lady Eloisa," Theo, my trainer, declared, as he looked over the bullseye with satisfaction. "Your archery skill is better than half the knights in the royal army.""Skill is useless if it doesn't achieve a purpose, Theo," I said coolly, handing the quiver of arrows off to a waiting servant.Theo opened his mouth to respond when a nasally voice interjected. "Lady Eloisa!"I suppressed a sigh of annoyance, my shoulder muscles tensing instantly because racing towards me was Lord Benjamin of House Sterling. He was rocking ridiculously flashy red clothes with silver lace dri
Serene’s POV I was packing the little things I had gathered during my life as a maid. They barely fit into one box, and my stomach twisted at the irony of it. The other girls I shared a room with were huddled in one corner of the room, eyeing me with envy while I packed. "So the rumors are true..." one of them said. "You're really leaving the palace?"I didn't stop folding as I nodded. “Yes. His Majesty granted me my discharge.”The second girl scoffed and crossed her arms. "Discharge? Right. You expect us to believe you're just walking away after everything that happened?”"People are saying you're leaving because the ministers found out," the first maid chimed in. "They're saying you were the King's secret mistress, and now you're being paid off to keep quiet.”I snapped my suitcase closed and turned around to face them."Watch your tongue," I snapped. "His Majesty granted me my freedom as a reward for my loyalty. If you keep spreading baseless lies about him, I will personally e
Serene’s POV"What... what are you talking about?" I rasped, my voice trembling despite my best efforts to sound composed.Jane leaned in closer, her smile widening. "You really have no idea, do you? You wander through these halls thinking you're just some nameless orphan girl. But your family carries a history far darker than you could ever imagine."She took a step back and leaned against the wall. "Your father, Arthur Ashton, was once the Captain of the Royal Guard.” I listened to her as she spoke. “He was among the previous King's most trusted men, but Arthur uncovered a secret so powerful it had the power to shatter the throne and destroy the royal family."I shook my head, my hands gripping the sheets. "No... that's impossible. You’re lying to me! I don’t have a family-“"Because the royal family slaughtered them!" Jane snapped, her eyes blazing. "When your father refused to stay silent, the former King had your entire family executed for treason. Your house was burned down, and







