I died as their pawn, I’ll live as their execution Betrayed by her beloved husband. Framed by her sister. Executed like a criminal. When Serina Valcrest opens her eyes again, she finds herself reborn two years before her death, with every memory of treachery fresh in her mind. This time, she will not be the docile, naive wife everyone expects. This time, she will sharpen her smile into a blade. Behind the glittering curtains of noble society, Serina begins her game of vengeance planting rumors, unraveling secrets, and setting traps with perfect precision. Every move pulls her closer to exposing the rot at the heart of her family. But in the shadows waits Cassian Veyra, a man more dangerous than any poison. Cold, cunning, and feared across the empire, Cassian is interested in Serina’s quiet war. His protection comes at a price… one she isn’t sure she can pay. As old enemies tighten their grip and hidden daggers strike from the dark, Serina learns the truth: They don’t just want to ruin her anymore they want her dead. And this time, she won’t go to the gallows quietly.
View More"Rise and shine bestie it's your wedding day,"
Jordan happily said rosing Katrina from sleep, the pregnant soon to be bride wasn't so in a good mood as the eyed him and went back to sleep, Jordan rolled his eyes and tried to wake her up again but she refused."Come on Katrina, you don't want to be late, I am sure Lucas won't like that his bride is late to the wedding,"He said the magic words that worked every time, and of course, it worked, she was up at the mention of her soon to be husband, Jordan was happy for Katrina, she had been in love with Lucas since forever and they finally found happiness together, but then an evil monster had nearly ended that love thankfully, they got out of it, he was especially happy for his bestie, Jordan have known Katrina since he was a teenager when they had moved into the same neighborhood, they had bonded immediate, Katrina was like his balance aside from his family, when he had come out as gay, she had protected him from the bullies in school even though he was bigger than her and especially with all her feminine features, she was a sweet angel back then and still an angel now."What's the time?""Seven forty,"He revealed, his bestie's tummy looked so big that he was scared she would pop any moment, it had taken them a whole to get a wedding dress that suits her, he just hoped she hadn't gotten too big for it again as she did three days ago."What? I can still get some sleep, the wedding is by ten,"She said."But I have to leave soon, I am the best man remember?""Aha, that, I still don't know how you and Lucas became so close, I know you guys hated each other,"She said, she was right though, Jordan used to hate her husband to be who was the boss and owner of where he worked but Lucas had been so arrogant and unapproachable that a lot of his workers disliked him, Kat was the only one who loved him and she kind of changed him, on to how they became friends to the extent of him being the best man, well he guess they bonded over their mutual love for Katrina."I think you are the reason,""Uh-huh, I am glad that you guys get along now,""Whatever, let's get you ready, go take a shower and I will go get the people who are gonna make you look fantabulous for your big day,""It's really my wedding day,""Yes, it is bestie,""I am so happy and nervous, what did I ever do to deserve this much happiness sometimes I feel like I don't deserve it and it might be taken away from me,"She voiced, Jordan understood what she meant, he once thought he had all the happiness in the word until it was all taken from him, even though his situation was slightly different."You are so lucky bestie and you deserve it,""Thank you, you deserve to be happy too, I hope you get your happily ever after soon too,""Nah, that's never gonna happen, I don't think I was made for that, not everybody will find love, maybe I am one of those who won't,"He voiced, and that was his sincere thought when his ex-boyfriend had broken up with him, Jordan had tried to get off the heartbreak by going on dates and doing the things he used to do, but after each first date, he would just lock the person out completely, like as if he couldn't feel anymore, first it was hard to let himself love and trust someone and when he did, he was betrayed, he couldn't put himself through that stress ever again, love wasn't for him."Let's forget about my sad love life and concentrate on yours, I am so happy for you,""Thank you bestie,""Let's get you married sweetie, I will go get the ladies,"He said and excused himself, even though he was Lucas's best man, he still choose to stay with his best friend, if only he could wear a dress, then he would have played her bridesmaid instead, but being a best man is almost the same so no complaint there, he called the ladies who helped his best friend get dressed and they were off to the church to get her married.He watched the beautiful couple exchange vows and kisses, smiling at each other, he couldn't help the swell of jealousy, if only, at the beginning of the year, he had plans to get married and build a home with the person he thought they shared a mutual feeling but here he was few weeks to Christmas, alone, yes that shit hurt but what hurt even more was letting himself feel and be hurt again, no matter how jealous he was if what Katrina and Lucas had, he couldn't picture himself in that position again, he kicked the ass of his sad thoughts and concentrated on the beautiful couple before him.After the event at the chapel, they moved to a center, where the wedding party would take place, there was so much going on at the same time so many smiling faces, the Evans and the Jones were good people and they attracted a lot of good people too so the place was cheerful, that was until his eyes landed on someone he didn't like seeing someone whose sight ruins his good mood every damn time."What is he doing here?"He thought out loud, wondering what the crazy pharmacist was doing at Katrina's wedding, he knew he wasn't close to either Katrina or Lucas, maybe a friend of either of them invited him, he looked hands but Jordan couldn't forget he was crazy, yup definitely crazy because why else would he keep picking on him every time they meet, Jordan first met him when he had gone to get Katrina's test kits, he had been so annoying that Jordan had contemplated punching him, he kept asking stupid questions and making fucked up conclusion, the second time they met at a mutual friend's birthday party hadn't help either, he concluded that Liam was not so needed addition, he avoided him from them on but Liam, he wasn't even sure if that's his real name, the dude looked like a fake, everyone he knew talks good about him, which couldn't be true, there is no way he was a good person like they all made him out to be."Jordan,"Katrina called, he looked to see her waving him over, he was honestly scared that she might really pop up that baby, how could she still walk with that round tummy."What? Are you going into labor?"He asked when he got close to her."No, idiot, my due date is still two months away,""But you look like you wanna pop,""Shut up, I wanted to introduce you to my new friend,"She said grabbing his hands and pulling him along."Slow down, I don't want your husband to kill me if you fall, who are you going to*"*""Hello, Liam,"Oh no fucking way, Jordan thought, why was Katrina greeting Liam, and why was she smiling like that."Katrina, congratulations,"The dude greeted Katrina, ignoring Jordan, he mentally rolled his eyes, yeah tell him something that is new."Thank you, this is my best friend that I told you about, Jordan this is Liam,""So?"He asked looking at Katrina who gave him a look that said he should respect himself."Jordan,""I know him, we have met a few times for some reason he doesn't like me and I don't know why,"The dude said and Katrina frowned at him, he eyed the dude."Jordan is really friendly, he might have been Pmsing,""What the fuck Katrina?""Keep quiet, now and say Hi to Liam, you guys are going to be living together for a while until his house is fixed,"Katrina announced, Jordan looked at her in shock, he took over Katrina's former apartment when she moved in with Lucas a month ago since it was bigger and more accommodative, how could Katrina ask someone to move in without telling him? It was his house now not hers."What do you mean by that? Why am I just hearing about it?""I told you about it and you said to go ahead,"She replied. Yes, he remembered telling her it was okay for a friend to live with him for a while but he thought it was a female friend, not a red blood male."Well, I take I back,""You can't, Liam is in a little bit of a situation right now and needs to stay there, don't be such an evil person,"She warned and left him there with the dude smiling at him as if they were friends."Let's get along Jordan,"He said extending a hand."You wish,"Jordan replied walking away from him, there was no way he was sharing his apartment with Liam, anyone else but Liam...The winter sun was pale that morning, spilling across the cobblestones as Serina’s carriage rolled toward the Glasshall Pavilion.The place was famous for hosting only the most exclusive auctions of rare jewels, ancient relics, and the kind of artifacts whispered to be cursed.Today’s event promised a crowd thick with nobles and collectors, and that meant one thing: the perfect stage.Inside the carriage, Serina smoothed the folds of her deep green gown.The color was rich, striking against her skin, and chosen with care green was the color of prosperity in the capital.She wanted her rivals to look at her and think of power.A small, folded note rested on her lap.Cassian had sent it that morning, the handwriting as sharp as his gaze:Lot 17. Win it.That was all.No explanation, no reason. But she trusted that Cassian didn’t waste his words.When the carriage stopped, she stepped out into a flurry of soft chatter.The pavilion’s entrance glittered with carved crystal panels, each ca
The ball had ended hours ago.The halls of the Veyra estate lay quiet under the silver wash of moonlight.Outside, the gardens slept beneath frost, and the faint creak of branches in the wind was the only sound.Serina sat in the small reading room off her chambers, the fire before her burning low.She had not removed her gown the crimson silk was heavy on her shoulders, but she liked the way it still carried the heat of the evening’s victory.A single strike, small but precise, had left Aria rattled.A soft knock came at the door.It wasn’t one of the maids their knock was timid, polite.This one was short, sharp, and certain.“Come in,” she said.The door opened, and a thin servant stepped inside.He was not one of hers; his face was unfamiliar, his coat plain, travel-worn.He bowed quickly and held out a sealed envelope.“This is for you, my lady. From… a friend.”The way he said the last word made it sound like a warning.Serina took the envelope without answering.The seal was ol
The city slept under a heavy quilt of snow, but my mind burned too hot for rest.After the Chancellor’s banquet, Damien had barely spoken to me in the carriage home, his silence heavier than any shouted anger.It was the quiet of a man sharpening his next blade.I knew he would strike soon.So I decided to strike first.The note from Cassian arrived just after midnight.Come to the East Tower. Alone.The handwriting was as sharp and deliberate as the man himself. I should have ignored it, visiting him so soon after publicly humiliating Damien was reckless. But something in the invitation, the unspoken dare, drew me like a moth to flame.The East Tower of House Veyra overlooked the frozen river, its windows glowing faintly in the night. Cassian was waiting at the top of the stairs, leaning against the stone archway, a decanter of dark wine in one hand.“You came,” he said simply.“You asked,” I replied, stepping into the warm glow of the firelight.He poured me a glass and handed it ov
The chandeliers blazed with gold light, scattering across the marble floor like shards of sun.Music swelled strings, flutes, and the faint heartbeat of the drums beneath it all.Every noble in the capital seemed to have crammed themselves into the ballroom tonight, perfume thick in the air, smiles sharper than any blade.Serina stepped onto the top of the sweeping staircase, letting the room see her.Her gown was a deep, sultry crimson the exact shade she’d worn the night Damien kissed her sister in front of their court.It was a memory she had burned into his mind like acid, and tonight she intended to make him choke on it.Gasps fluttered from the crowd.She caught the flicker in Damien’s eyes, the way his easy smile faltered before he smoothed it over.Aria, by his side, stiffened she recognized the gown’s significance too.Serina descended slowly, each step measured, letting her skirts whisper against the marble.Her lips curled faintly when she spotted the first cracks in their
The Chancellor’s Winter Banquet was the most politically charged event of the season the kind where alliances were forged over wine and destroyed before dessert.It was also the perfect stage for what I intended to do.By the time my carriage rolled up the marble steps of the Chancellor’s estate, the snow had turned to glittering frost. Light from a thousand chandeliers spilled from the arched windows, music and laughter drifting into the night.Cassian was already inside, surrounded by a small circle of military officers. His eyes flicked toward me as I entered, and the faintest nod told me he knew exactly why I was here.Damien stood near the head table with Aria, his arm draped protectively over hers. He looked every bit the untouchable lord, charming dignitaries and nobles alike. But I knew thanks to Cassian that the man had been bleeding coin into a secret shipping enterprise, one that wasn’t quite… legal.And tonight, I would peel that secret wide open.The opportunity came midw
The Winter Solstice Ball was a glittering affair all golden candlelight, polished marble floors, and music so sweet it seemed to drip from the strings of the orchestra. The nobility came dressed as if they were the constellations themselves, shimmering with silks and jewels.And at the center of it all was Aria.She floated through the crowd on Damien’s arm, her gown the color of dawn light, her hair threaded with pearls. Every tilt of her head, every soft laugh, was calculated to charm.It was a performance I had watched before, in another life.I knew exactly where the cracks lay.“Lady Serina,” the Duchess of Vayle greeted me as I entered. Her eyes skimmed over my silver gown modest in cut, but embroidered with patterns of black thorns climbing from hem to hip. “A bold choice.”“Boldness is the only fashion worth keeping,” I replied, smiling faintly.I could feel eyes following me as I crossed the floor. Cassian was there already, lounging against a pillar near the wine tables, his
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