LOGINI had attended enough royal events to know that none of them were actually optional. Someone could call it an invitation. Or simply, a request.But when the Royal Palace sent the message, the difference was mostly decorative. So when my mother told me I was expected at the National Arts and Design Exhibition, I didn't even bother asking if I could refuse."The Vermont Foundation has sponsored the student design program for years.""That doesn't mean I need to stand there.""It does if your name is on the invitation."I looked down at the invitation in my hand. My name was, unfortunately, very much on it.And here I was, looking like a lost person watching people pass by.The exhibition was being held at the Royal Museum of Arts, which had been transformed for the evening. The usual paintings and sculptures had been moved aside to make room for contemporary designs.Architectural models. Sustainable materials. Fashion pieces. Student inventions. Even several experimental vehicles.It w
SERAPHINA POV[I want to meet. When are you free?]A short message from Vaeldric. It opened automatically because I thought the vibration from my phone was a message from Sebastian. I almost ignored it if I hadn't already opened the message.Was there something about Amelia?The last I heard, she was already awake. She had been discharged and allowed to continue her recovery at home two days after the surgery that morning.I knew everything through the hospital. The reason was simple. I was her guardian. So every update and payment was reported to me.Secretly, I was grateful for that. At least I could make sure Amelia was doing well without having to ask House Ashbourne about her.“Are you possessed?” Lucien snapped me out of my thoughts with one of his random comments.I grumbled under my breath.“You've been staring at your phone for a while. Its color isn't going to magically turn neon green no matter how long you wait.”I threw the sofa cushion lying right beside me at him. Of co
VAELDRIC POVI had no idea where to start looking.Amelia's phone was off. She wasn't answering anyone. And I had no idea where she would go after leaving the manor.I called one of her friends. Nothing. Then another. Nothing.Father had just come out of his study when he saw me pacing back and forth. His cold eyes followed me. He didn't ask anything. His face was still hard, making me afraid to say a word.“She'll come home on her own. That spoiled girl doesn't know how harsh the outside world can be.”His voice was firm. There wasn't even the slightest hint of doubt. However, I knew Amelia wasn't that spoiled.She was a reporter who often went into war zones. Not as fragile as Father thought she was. But I stayed silent, letting the entire argument play out only inside my head.“Take care of the delayed steel supplies immediately. We don't have much time in this critical situation. The other matters can wait.”He walked away just like that. Making it clear there was no room for me t
VAELDRIC POVA few hours earlier.Bang!The door flew open with a loud crash as someone kicked it in. Father and I, who had been discussing the delayed steel supplies, immediately turned toward the door.Amelia was already standing there, her face red as a boiled crab, a bundle of documents clutched in her left hand.Her right hand, which she'd just used to kick the door open, now moved to her head.“I never thought House Ashbourne could sink this low.”She threw the stack of documents onto the table in front of Father with both hands. I knew Amelia was outspoken, impulsive, and sometimes rude. But this was the first time she'd crossed a line like this in front of Father.Father didn't move. He only looked at me. If only I knew what had made her this furious. I would've dealt with it before things got this far.Reluctantly, I reached for the documents and read through the first few pages.Damn.She'd actually dug into it and managed to find the answers herself. Something I'd never bee
“You're nothing but a barren woman who's even being discarded by your husband's family, Sera. Face it. You'll never be a complete woman because of your arrogance.” Lysara roughly brushed my hand away before slowly stroking her stomach.Even at a hospital, she was this blunt?I doubted she'd dare act this arrogantly if anyone else were around. It was annoying that this side of her only came out when she was facing me.“Oh, fine. I never wanted to be a complete woman if that's what it means. Don't worry. Being Seraphina Vermont is enough for me.”Really, what more could I possibly want? Once all of this was over, all I needed was to enjoy my life as Seraphina Vermont.Free. Unrestrained. Without the burden and expectations of House Ashbourne needing an heir.“Besides, you're here alone, Lysara? Are you really that special that no one even bothers to stay by your side during your pregnancy? Are you sure they won't get rid of you once the baby is born?” I smiled faintly.“Well, good for
SERAPHINA POVAs expected, my name was still everywhere. Thank God, I was getting more and more famous now. Perfect. Soon, I'd really become an overnight celebrity.I had stopped checking the news. Unfortunately, the rest of the kingdom hadn't.Lucien had already sent me five screenshots before breakfast. I ignored all of them. I couldn't tell whether he was trying to keep me updated or deliberately making fun of me.My phone buzzed again. I glanced at the screen. Another message from Lucien.I opened it.It was a photograph of Vaeldric leaving the Royal Court. His expression was unreadable, but the headline above it wasn't.LORD ASHBOURNE'S AFFAIR TAKES CENTER STAGE IN DIVORCE HEARINGI stared at it for a moment. Then I locked my phone.“Done.”“What?” Elanor looked up from the sofa.“News.”“You're giving up?”“I'm protecting my sanity.” I walked toward the window.No one was waiting for me to step outside so t







