ANMELDENSERENAEverything I've been holding back comes rushing up all at once- the pain of dying, Cassius’ betrayal and the despair of my family’s demise. And then afterwards, the impossible relief of waking up again. Of being handed a second chance I never thought was possible.I had accepted the fact that I was reborn. But it isn't until right now, looking at her, that it actually becomes true.Her smile falters. Worry replaces it almost instantly."Serena?"A sob breaks out of me before I can stop it, and I'm already running towards her."Serena—"I throw myself into her arms and she quickly catches me. She folds me in, and her scent and warmth envelopes me.I bury my face against her shoulder and come apart completely. She doesn't ask what's wrong. She just holds me, one hand moving slow circles over my back, the way she used to when I was small enough to be carried."Oh, my darling." Her voice is soft, coaxing, like I'm still her little girl. "It's all right."I cling to her, fingers cur
SERENA When Cassius began courting me that year, my mother had cautioned me gently, asking me to consider other men instead. “A royal marriage brings little happiness,” she had told me. “At the very least, choose a man who will be faithful to you.” I hadn’t listened and laughed at her worries. I told her she simply didn’t understand Cassius. My Cassius had promised me that other women would never be a problem. He had promised that he would love me and cherish only me. And I believed him. If she got to know him better, she would understand too. Father had been even more opposed. He told me that marrying Cassius would not be good for our clan. He told me that the Crown had always been wary of our family’s power. I remember being confused by it. Our clan had always been loyal. Our people died on the battlefield every day defending the kingdom. They were heroes. How could the Royal Family possibly dislike us? How could they be guarding against us? I didn’t understood the in
Serena He closes the distance between us and pulls me into an embrace. I stay rigid in his arms. He pulls back after a moment, his hands coming up to cup my face, tilting it toward his. His gaze drops to my mouth. The realization of what he wants to do hits me. Here, in my father’s house, with my family just beyond that door- and I suddenly feel sick. I turn my head at the last second and his lips land against my cheek instead of my mouth. I bring my hands up to his chest and push him back. He’s too stunned by the rejection to hold on, and I slip free easily, putting another step of distance between us before angling my body away entirely. “So its as I said. You’re really angry with me.” he with a smile. I look away. After a pause, then. “Fine. Stay here a few days. Spend time with your family and cool down.” His tone cools further. “But I expect this- whatever this is- to be over by the time you return.” He doesn’t linger after that. He tells me he’ll come back for me in two d
Serena “Your Majesty is being far too gracious, but there’s no need to say more.” Father clasps his hands and inclines his head with careful formality. “It really is this old man’s failure to raise his daughter properly. She has brought shame upon the royal household. Now that she’s home, I’ll see to it she’s disciplined properly. As everyone says, she is incompatible with the title of Queen.” On the surface, his words are disparaging to me. But you can tell that he’s really saying: since you feel my daughter is unsuitable and are dissatisfied with her. You should give her back. Heat burns the back of my eyes and I feel a lump in my throat. If anyone were to ask me what exactly I’d done to bring shame upon myself, it would simply be that I loved Cassius too much. I abandoned myself for him, in spite of the fact that he never gave me anything in return. I lower my lashes and press my lips together, saying nothing. So this is what it feels like to stand back and bask in my fathe
Serena I have not been here in so long. We slowly cross the courtyard and enter the great stone mansion. The interior is just as I remember it too. It is massive and sturdy with sparse decoration. There are no excessive ornaments or delicate furnishings- at a glance, it can be seen that everything is practical and built to last. One look is enough to tell anyone what sort of people live here- a military family. And yet somehow, despite its imposing appearance, the estate has always felt warm. It is home. We are soon settled in the main sitting room, and servants bring refreshments and steaming cups of tea. Logan looks at me with warm eyes. “You should drink that quickly,” he says. “It will help chase away the cold.” I take a sip. The tea warming not just my body but my heart. Father wastes no time. With his face set in a terrifying scowl, “I hear His Majesty has taken another woman into his household,” he says, his voice carrying none of the deference one would expect him to
Serena When we step out of the pavilion, I find that my three maids are waiting for us along with Killian. The moment they see us, the Rosalyn, Marisol and Kara curtsy, while Killian straightens and bows deeply. “Your Majesty.” They call. Cassius gives them a curt nod and says to my maids, “We will be setting out for the General’s Estate now. Follow in the carriage behind ours.” “Yes, Your Majesty.” They curtsy again. Cassius then turns to me and smiles softly, saying, “We should get going. Let’s not keep them waiting any longer.” “Alright.” I nod. He then strides away. My brows furrow in confusion. His gaze did not even pause on Killian even once. I’ve never seen him be that rude before. Aside from that one incident in our past life, Cassius has always been perfectly polite to him. In fact, Cassius is polite to everyone. He is known for being a gentle and magnanimous King. Unlike other nobles, he has never been known to be haughty. Killian remains where he is, his express







