Chapter Two

SAME HOUR

IMPERIAL PALACE, VALEDRIA

LOTUS POND, EASTERN PALACE

The lotus pond was deserted, disturbed only by the chirping of crickets and the occasional croak of frogs hopping in and out of the water.

A young lady with waist length dark hair, dressed in a pale-blue silk gown with fitted sleeves and a long overdress of darker shade draped over her shoulders stood by the side of the pond, staring down at it quietly.

The evening air blew softly across the vicinity, moving strands of her loosely tied hair. It was unknown what she was pondering about but her quiet demeanor coupled with the silence around, gave her an otherworldly feel.

Then, without warning, a cloaked figure emerged from the bushes behind her.

They moved silently.

Within seconds, they were directly behind her.

A pair of delicate hands reached out from underneath the cloak, and shoved her into the pond. The lady fell in, stumbled due to the force and hit her head on the rocks in the pond.

A pool of blood quickly flowed inside the pond, staining the pale blue water red.

The culprit froze.

For a moment, they stared at the blood in horror, seemingly startled by how violently the situation had escalated.

Then they seemed to regain their senses.

Without another glance at the pond, they turned and hurried away.

The pond slowly fell silent again.

At its center, the young lady's body floated beneath the surface, against the spreading crimson of her blood. The color slowly consumed the water around her, turning the once-clear pond red while her body remained eerily motionless in the middle.

***

Seraphine's eyes snapped open.

She was surrounded by complete darkness, unable to see a thing.

Before she could understand what was happening, her lungs convulsed and water rushed into her mouth.

She was sinking.

Her body jerked violently as panic seized her. She tried to wrench herself free, but her limbs felt strangely weak. Her hands clawed desperately through the water.

Then voices reached her through the surface of the water.

"She's in the pond!"

A pair of hands suddenly seized her arms.

"Quickly! Pull her out!"

"Your Highness!”

Seraphine's brows twitched.

Your Highness?

More hands grabbed her, and she was dragged upward. Her head soon broke through the water surface, and she coughed violently.

Water poured from her mouth as someone pulled her onto solid ground.

"She's breathing!"

"Get blankets!"

"Don't just stand there! Move!"

Voices came from every direction.

Seraphine lay motionless, struggling to understand what was happening.

Her entire body trembled uncontrollably. Her chest and stomach burned from the water she had swallowed.

She tried to open her eyes wider, but the sudden brightness stabbed into them, forcing her to squint.

Everything remained blurred as figures moved around her.

She could make out the hems of layered skirts moving around her.

Maids?

Where am I?

One of them knelt beside her.

"Your Highness, can you hear me?"

Seraphine tried to answer, but her throat refused to cooperate.

She coughed again.

The maid immediately began crying.

"She's alive."

Another woman covered her mouth.

"Thank God."

Seraphine's mind struggled to process their words.

Something was wrong.

She tried to lift her hand.

But, the arm that moved felt strangely weak, small and delicate.

Her fingers trembled against the stone floor.

What happened to me?

Just then, approaching footsteps drew everyone's attention.

The frantic voices around her suddenly quieted, and she heard someone whisper.

"The Crown Prince."

Another maid immediately lowered her head.

"The Crown Prince is here."

Seraphine's blurred gaze shifted toward the approaching figure.

At first, she could make out only dark fabric. Then, his black polished boots.

They stopped several feet from her.

She tried to focus, but her vision continued swimming in and out of clarity. She could barely make out the embroidered hem of the man's dark robe.

He stood before her.

She couldn't see his face. Only his shoes, and the shadow he cast over her.

Then, she heard his voice which was cold, calm and direct.

"Get the Imperial Physician."

The order was quiet.

Yet every person around her immediately obeyed.

"Yes, Your Highness."

Someone hurried away.

Seraphine stared at the unfamiliar figure.

Crown Prince?

She didn't understand.

What kingdom was this?

Why were they calling her Your Highness?

And why—

Why did her body feel so wrong?

She tried to speak.

"Who..."

The word barely escaped her throat before another cough seized her.

The Crown Prince's feet shifted slightly.

His voice came again.

"Don't move."

Seraphine's eyes narrowed.

Something about the command irritated her.

Instinctively, she tried to push herself upright but pain exploded through her head. The room tilted, and her vision darkened at the edges.

The last thing she heard was the Crown Prince's voice.

"She is losing consciousness again."

Then everything disappeared.