Chapter 2

After a lengthy discussion with Azena, we finally settled on a plan.

Then, I headed back to my palace to rest.

I had just entered the courtyard when I realized that a commotion was going on.

Guerrian was standing outside, instructing the servants to move the furniture.

"Take this table away. Seraphine doesn't like that."

I went to take a closer look to see my palace completely redecorated.

When Guerrian saw me, he was not surprised at all. On the contrary, he looked extremely displeased.

"Where have you been? Why were you out so late? We're about to get married. Instead of preparing, you're running around?"

Ignoring him, I looked at the redecorated palace. Clenching my fists, I asked, "Who gave you permission to touch my things?"

"Seraphine might be your maid, but she's about to marry me as well. Technically speaking, you two are equals. Her room is too small. It's not good for her recovery, so I thought the two of you should switch rooms."

Then, as if worried I would put up a fight, he immediately softened his expression and came closer to me, holding my hand.

"You're the great Lady Bydona, but Seraphine only recently took form. Try to be more understanding."

He added, "On the day of the wedding, I'll surely see you first."

He had a rare, gentle expression, but it was only because of Seraphine. In my previous life, I had fought with him because of Seraphine, but he always said that he was just making it up to her for saving his life.

Three hundred years ago, Guerrian was severely injured at the Battle of the Pearl Sea. It was Seraphine who saved his life back then.

Due to that, Seraphine could hardly maintain her human form. So, Guerrian secretly brought her to the Celestial Skies and got Dexaldir to change her fate.

Then, he arranged for her to stay by my side, asking me to take good care of her.

I went along with it. Everything he had asked me to do, I did it the best I could. However, I started to realize that every time he visited me, it was not to see me, but to see Seraphine.

Even the jewelry that he gave me for my birthday was a gift that Seraphine no longer wanted.

Even so, I cherished that gift tremendously. I wanted to wear it all day long, but Guerrian had given more than a hundred necklaces like that to Seraphine.

It was very clear who he loved.

When I looked at him standing in front of me once more, all that remained was hatred.

I shrugged my hand off. Before I could say anything, a scream came from inside the palace.

The servants all ran out, yelling, "Lord Guerrian, there's evil inside the palace!"

Guerrian looked at me deeply before entering the palace. I quickly followed suit.

The moment I entered, a pungent smell hit my nose.

Near the side of my bed sat something horrifying. A small doll, no larger than a jar, was cackling with a twisted grin. Clutched in its hands was a strip of paper.

A name was written on it.

Seraphine.

Someone gasped behind me.

"Isn't that the Phlegeton Demon's curse doll?"

"Seraphine's name is on it! Who would do…"

Before the servant could finish her sentence, someone nudged him to shut up. All eyes turned toward me, and instantly, everyone fell silent.

Guerrian bent down to pick the doll up to see that its back was covered in a dozen nails.

Whoever had made it clearly hated Seraphine to the core.

Guerrian looked at me icily. "Should you explain yourself?"

Seraphine immediately went over to Guerrian, "This doesn't belong to Lady Bydona. Don't talk to her like that."

"Why are you still helping her at such a time? I was wondering why you were getting weaker. I never would've thought that the source of your curse is here."

I knew that Guerrian did not like me, but I was not expecting him to not trust me one bit.

Looking at the doll, my hands trembled in fury. "Are you saying that I, the daughter of the God of Skies, would join forces with the Phlegeton Demons just to curse someone?"

"Is that not true? How many things have you done to cause Seraphine trouble? Can you still even count them all? You've already got what you wished for. You got the God of Skies to set out an imperial decree, making sure I marry you.

"I'm not objecting to it, but why would you do such a thing? Do you know how much effort Dexaldir took to make sure Seraphine maintained her human form?"

Guerrian was so furious that his face turned red. He looked at Seraphine with worry in his eyes.

Seraphine's tears fell as she immediately knelt before me. "L-Lady Bydona, don't blame Guerrian. I know you wouldn't do such a thing. I trust you."

I could not stand Seraphine's attitude any longer. I raised my hand and slapped her.

"Get lost! You know best who did this."

That was not the only instance where something like that happened. Guerrian had come to me more than once, accusing me of tormenting Seraphine.

Whenever I demanded proof, he assumed I was refusing to admit the truth.

Bit by bit, whatever affection we once had soon wore away.

Before the pain in my hand vanished, Guerrian slapped me hard. The impact knocked me off balance. I fell backward, my head slamming against the wall.

My vision blurred instantly.

"Bydona, you've gone too far!"

As he rushed to help Seraphine up, warm blood slid down from my forehead. It ran along my cheek and dripped onto the hem of my robes.

When he turned around and saw my condition, much of the anger on his face faded.

"Seraphine…"

I looked at Guerrian with a frosty gaze. "Are you happy now?"

Something about my voice made him visibly uncomfortable, but he still refused to back down.

"You were at fault in the first place! Remember this lesson!"

Then, he turned to Seraphine and said, "Seraphine, stay with me. No one will dare to hurt you with me around!"

They left. I closed my eyes. Then, I ordered all of the servants to leave.