Chapter 3:A Taste Of Betrayal

Princess Seraphina Ashbourne's POV

After returning to the palace, I decided to visit my father.

I had barely seen him since my rebirth, and a part of me desperately wanted to spend time with him. In my previous life, I had been so consumed by Spencer that I had neglected some of the people who genuinely cared about me.

I wouldn't make that mistake again.

When I arrived at his study, the royal guards bowed and opened the doors for me.

"Father?"

King Ashbourne looked up from the documents spread across his desk. The moment he saw me, his serious expression softened into a warm smile.

"Seraphina! My dear, come here."

I approached him, and he pulled me into a gentle embrace.

"How are you, my daughter?"

"I'm fine, Father."

He studied my face for a moment.

"You seem unusually cheerful today."

I smiled.

"Can't a daughter be happy to see her father?"

He chuckled.

"Of course she can. But I must admit, you haven't visited me this early in quite some time."

His words made my heart ache.

He was right.

In my previous life, Spencer had gradually become the centre of my world. Whenever my father invited me to spend time with him, I would often decline because Spencer had made other plans for us.

I had convinced myself that I was simply preparing for my future marriage.

Now I understood how much time I had wasted.

My father deserved better than a daughter who only remembered him when she needed something.

So I sat beside his desk, and we talked about the palace, the upcoming coronation, and the preparations taking place throughout the kingdom.

He told me about a meeting he had attended with several royal advisers. I listened attentively, occasionally asking questions and laughing at some of his amusing stories.

For a few precious minutes, I forgot about Spencer, Valentina, and the terrible future I was determined to change.

I was simply a daughter spending time with her father.

And it felt wonderful.

"Father," I said eventually, "I hope you know how much I love you."

He looked at me in surprise.

Then his expression softened.

"Of course I do, my dear. And I love you more than you can imagine."

He gently patted my hand.

"Your mother would have been proud of the woman you've become."

My smile faltered slightly at the mention of my mother.

I had never known her, yet I had always wished I could have experienced her love.

"Do you think she would have liked me?" I asked quietly.

My father leaned back in his chair, considering the question.

"She would have adored you, Seraphina. You have her kind heart and her beautiful smile."

I lowered my gaze, fighting back the tears gathering in my eyes.

If only my mother were here.

Perhaps she would have warned me about Spencer. Perhaps she would have taught me that loving someone did not mean allowing them to control my life.

But I couldn't change the past.

I could only change what happened next.

After a little while, my father glanced at the documents on his desk and sighed.

"I wish I could spend the entire afternoon with you, but I have several matters to attend to before the coronation."

I stood up.

"I understand, Father. I won't keep you any longer."

He rose and kissed my forehead.

"Come and see me again tomorrow, all right?"

"I will."

As I left his study, a small smile touched my lips.

I had made a promise to myself that I would stop taking the people who loved me for granted.

And this time, I intended to keep it.

I wandered through the palace corridors until I reached the royal gardens.

The garden had always been one of my favourite places. Colourful flowers bloomed along the winding paths, and the gentle fragrance of roses filled the air.

I found a quiet bench beneath a flowering tree and sat down.

For a while, I simply enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere.

Then my thoughts drifted back to the woods.

To the mysterious black wolf.

I couldn't explain why I kept thinking about him.

I had encountered animals before, but none had ever left such a strange impression on me.

There had been something different about him.

His brilliant blue eyes seemed almost human, and the way he had looked at me made me feel as though he understood my words.

Most strangely, I had felt completely safe beside him.

I had spent years believing that Spencer was the person who made me feel protected.

Yet the moment I had rested my cheek against that wolf's soft fur, I had experienced a peace I could barely describe.

There had been no demands.

No false promises.

No expectation that I should behave a certain way to earn affection.

He had simply allowed me to sit beside him.

I smiled faintly.

"Who are you, mysterious wolf?" I whispered.

"Talking to yourself, my love?"

My smile disappeared.

I didn't need to turn around to recognize that voice.

Spencer.

Of course.

It seemed that even when I wanted a few minutes of peace, he always found a way to appear.

I turned my head slowly.

He stood a few steps away, wearing his usual charming smile. In his hands was a covered tray.

"My love," he said, approaching me, "you missed breakfast and lunch. I was worried about you, so I prepared something for you to eat."

I stared at him blankly.

For a moment, I almost admired his determination.

Almost.

This man had already poisoned me once, yet here he was, pretending to be the most devoted lover in the kingdom.

Did he ever get tired of lying?

Apparently not.

I glanced at the tray.

My stomach tightened.

The food must be poisoned.

In my previous life, I would have been touched by his gesture. I would have smiled, thanked him, and eaten everything without questioning his intentions.

I would have mistaken his performance for love.

But I knew the truth now.

Spencer wasn't bringing me food because he cared about my well-being.

He was doing it because he wanted to maintain his hold over me.

Unfortunately for him, the woman he had deceived before was gone.

I looked up at him.

"That's thoughtful of you, Spencer."

His smile widened.

"Anything for you, my love."

I nearly rolled my eyes.

Instead, I gestured towards the tray.

"Why don't you sit down and eat with me?"

His smile faltered.

Only for a second, but I noticed.

"What?" he asked.

I tilted my head innocently.

"I said we should eat together. You brought enough food, didn't you?"

He shifted the tray in his hands.

"Oh, no. This is for you."

I raised an eyebrow.

"But I would enjoy it more if you joined me."

He cleared his throat.

"Besides, I've already eaten."

I stared at him.

Of course he had.

How convenient.

I folded my hands in my lap and gave him a sweet smile.

"What a shame."

He looked confused.

I glanced at the tray again.

"It seems the food will have to go to waste."

His expression changed immediately.

For the first time since he had approached me, Spencer appeared genuinely speechless.

He stared at me as though I had suddenly started speaking a foreign language.

And I couldn't blame him.

The old Seraphina would never have responded this way.

She would have thanked him repeatedly, eaten the food, and perhaps even apologized for missing the meals he claimed to have worried about.

She would have done anything to keep him happy.

But I was no longer that girl.

I had learned what his affection was worth.

Nothing.

Absolutely nothing.

"Seraphina," he said slowly, "what's gotten into you?"

I smiled.

"Nothing. I'm simply not hungry."

"But you haven't eaten since morning."

"Actually, I ate at the palace restaurant."

His eyes narrowed slightly.

"You did?"

"Yes."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

I blinked at him.

"Was I supposed to report my meals to you?"

He opened his mouth, then closed it again.

I almost laughed.

The expression on his face was priceless.

For years, he had treated my life as though he had the right to supervise every little detail.

He decided where I went, whom I spoke to, and what I should do.

And I had allowed him to believe that he had such power over me.

Not anymore.

He placed the tray on the nearby table and sat beside me.

"Come on, Seraphina. Just try a little. You might like it."

I turned towards him.

"Spencer, I'm not eating anything you bring me."

The smile vanished from his face.

I continued before he could respond.

"Besides, I've already eaten, and I'm not hungry."

For a moment, he simply stared at me.

Then he gave a nervous laugh.

"You're behaving strangely today."

"Am I?"

"Yes. You barely spoke to me this morning, and now you're refusing something I prepared especially for you."

I shrugged.

"Perhaps you should get used to it."

The words escaped before I could stop them.

Spencer froze.

I smiled inwardly.

Good.

Let him wonder.

Let him question why his carefully rehearsed tricks were no longer working.

He had spent my first life believing that he knew me better than I knew myself.

Now he would have to discover how little he truly understood.

I stood up and smoothed my floral gown.

"Excuse me, Spencer. I'm tired, and I'd like to rest."

He immediately rose.

"My love, wait."

I continued walking.

He followed me out of the garden, carrying the tray and calling after me.

"Seraphina, what's wrong? Did I offend you?"

I didn't answer.

"If I did something wrong, I'm sorry," he continued, his voice becoming softer. "You know I would never intentionally upset you."

What a talented liar, I thought.

He sounded so sincere that anyone listening might have believed every word.

But I had seen the truth behind his charming smile.

I knew what he was capable of.

And I would never allow myself to forget it.

"Seraphina, please," he said again. "Our coronation is only a week away. We shouldn't be arguing over something so small."

I stopped walking and turned to face him.

"Who's arguing, Spencer?"

He blinked.

I gave him a polite smile.

"I'm simply tired. That's all."

Then I continued towards my chambers.

He followed me all the way down the corridor.

"My love, at least tell me what's wrong."

I reached my door and turned the handle.

"Good night, Spencer."

"But it's still afternoon!"

I stepped inside.

"Then have a pleasant afternoon."

Before he could say another word, I closed the door firmly in his face.

For a moment, I stood with my back against it, listening to the silence outside.

Then I heard his footsteps retreating down the corridor.

I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding.

Finally.

Peace.

I crossed the room and sat on the edge of my bed.

Spencer had ruined my mood completely.

I had been enjoying the afternoon, thinking about my father and the mysterious wolf, when he appeared with another one of his little performances.

Still, I had to admit that watching him struggle to understand my behaviour had been satisfying.

I had never spoken to him that way before.

Not once.

He was accustomed to a princess who adored him, trusted him, and believed that every gesture he made came from the goodness of his heart.

That princess had died.

And she wasn't coming back.

I changed into a comfortable nightdress and slipped beneath the covers, although the sun had not yet completely disappeared.

My mind wandered back to the events of the day.

My father had been happy to see me.

Sandra was still by my side.

And somewhere in the woods, a mysterious black wolf with beautiful blue eyes had crossed my path.

For the first time since my rebirth, I felt as though my future might hold something beyond revenge.

I didn't know what that something was.

I didn't know why the wolf had seemed so familiar, or why I had felt so safe around him.

But I had a strange feeling that I would see him again.

A small smile touched my lips.

"Good night, handsome," I whispered, remembering his soft black fur.

Then I closed my eyes.

Exhaustion slowly pulled me into sleep, and the palace grew quiet around me.

I had no idea that, somewhere beyond the royal borders, a powerful Alpha was struggling with a feeling he had never experienced before.

He had spent his life avoiding attachments, trusting no one, and keeping his distance from those who might threaten his rule.

Yet earlier that day, a beautiful princess had approached him without fear.

She had touched his fur, spoken to him as though he were an ordinary creature, and rested against him with a trust he had never expected from a stranger.

And for reasons he could not understand, he had found himself reluctant to leave her.

He had returned to his territory, but her face remained in his thoughts.

Those gentle eyes.

That unexpected smile.

The warmth of her hand against his fur.

He had no explanation for any of it.

Not yet.

But fate had already begun weaving their lives together.