CHAPTER 2-The King's Promise

Seraphina could not sleep.

She lay on the enormous bed with her eyes wide open, staring up at the gold-painted ceiling. The room was beautiful, warmed by a crackling fireplace and decorated with soft silk curtains. It looked like a scene straight out of a storybook.

Yet, none of it made her happy.

A single tear rolled down her cheek as she pulled the thick blanket up to her chin. Just a few nights ago, she was shivering on the cold ground beneath a tree. She knew she should feel grateful, but her mother wasn’t here to see it.

"Mom..." she whispered into the empty room, her voice breaking. "I wish you were here. I'm safe now, just like you always wanted."

The harsh truth hit her all over again—her mother was gone, and no amount of palace luxury could bring her back. Eventually, sheer exhaustion took over her sadness, and she fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.

The next morning, warm sunlight poured through the large windows. Seraphina blinked slowly, remembering everything that had happened: the scary forest, her healing blood, and the Alpha King.

A gentle knock sounded at the door, and a maid stepped inside carrying a silver tray loaded with fresh bread, boiled eggs, fruit, and warm milk.

"Good morning, little princess," the maid said warmly.

Seraphina lowered her eyes, shifting uncomfortably. "I just don't think I am one. Princesses are important people. I'm just a poor girl."

The maid sat on the edge of the bed and smiled gently. "Maybe that's exactly why you are important. Now eat, it's all for you."

The delicious smell made Seraphina’s stomach growl loudly. She reached out and took a bite of the bread. It was so soft and warm, nothing like the stale crumbs she had been scavenging for months. She ate quickly, finishing every last bite.

When she was done, she looked down, embarrassed. "I'm sorry. I ate too much."

The maid frowned gently. "As long as you live in this palace, you never have to apologize for being hungry."

Next, the maid led her into a large bathroom. Seraphina gasped. A giant bathtub sat in the center of the room, filled with steaming water and floating flower petals. For months, she had washed herself in freezing rivers, so sinking into the hot water felt like absolute heaven.

But as the maid carefully washed the dirt from her hair, a heavy lump formed in Seraphina's throat. Her mother used to wash her hair just like this while humming sweet lullabies. Tears spilled over her cheeks.

"My mother used to wash my hair," Seraphina whispered.

Without a word, the maid pulled the crying little girl into a warm, tight hug. It wasn't her mother's hug, but it was the first time since her loss that Seraphina felt truly cared for.

After the bath, the maid helped her put on a stunning, sky-blue dress that fit her perfectly. Standing in front of the tall mirror, Seraphina froze. The girl staring back looked clean, neat, and truly beautiful.

Just then, a firm knock sounded on the door. It opened, and Draven stepped inside.

The Alpha King stopped in his tracks, a genuine smile touching his lips. The dirty, terrified little girl from the forest was completely gone.

"You look beautiful, Seraphina," he said.

She blushed. "Thank you, sir."

Draven extended his large, scarred hand. "Come with me."

She slipped her small hand into his. As they walked through the grand palace halls, guards and servants stopped to bow. Seraphina noticed their curious looks and nervously tightened her grip on the King's hand.

"What if they don't like me?" she whispered. "Because I'm just an orphan."

Draven stopped walking and knelt down so they were at eye level. He placed a large, comforting hand on her head.

"Listen to me carefully, Seraphina. You are not less important because you were poor, and you are not less valuable because you don't have a famous family name. I care about the brave girl who saved my life. To me, you are everything a princess should be."

A wave of pure warmth spread through Seraphina’s chest. Looking into the King's golden eyes, she finally believed that she wasn't invisible anymore. She had truly found a home.