Fire

Seraphina POV

"My Lady, all the assets you requested have been mapped out." Sebastian sat before me with a stack of reports prepared by his team.

What a beautiful morning. My day had started with good news. Hopefully, the rest would follow.

"I hope it's nothing but good news. No 'but' hiding behind it." I took a sip of my tea while waiting for his answer.

"Everything is under control, My Lady. Thanks to the prenuptial agreement, separating and managing the assets is relatively straightforward." Sebastian slid several documents toward me. "These are all the assets that remain under your personal ownership and control, Lady Ashbourne."

As always, Sebastian never wasted words. No wonder Father had kept him by his side for decades.

Besides being competent and efficient, he relied on facts rather than emotions. No matter how close he was to our family, he always approached every matter rationally and offered neutral advice.

I slowly flipped through the documents. Reports like these used to be part of my daily routine.

Back when I was still Seraphina Vermont, I was a workaholic who had nearly forgotten what it felt like to rest properly. Meetings, financial reports, contracts, investments. They filled my days from dawn until midnight.

That was why Father entrusted me with a larger share of responsibility than my siblings. He knew I was capable. More importantly, he knew I would never sleep until everything was exactly where it should be.

Lucien, meanwhile, had been delighted to receive less.

"You know I prefer hunting and traveling, Sera," he had said with a laugh. "Too much responsibility limits my freedom. Father is wise to burden you with it instead. You actually enjoy working."

I had wanted to hit him with the nearest book. Oh please, I had a personal life too. At least, I wanted one. Back then, I didn't even have time to date because I was too busy working.

My younger sister, Elanor, had been no different.

"Just admit you're celebrating your freedom, Lucien," she'd said. "Because I certainly am."

The two of them were exactly alike. Not because they were incapable. Just firm believers in one principle.

If someone else can do it, why should I?

And unfortunately, that someone had always been me.

Ironically, after becoming an Ashbourne, I stepped back and monitored everything from behind the scenes. Now, I had no choice but to reclaim what was mine. Every last piece of it.

I lowered my gaze to the next page.

23% of Vermont Maritime Group

18% of Vermont Royal Bank

15% of Royal Valerion Steel Industries

There was no need to examine the academies, universities, estates, farmland, and countless other assets for now.

Shipping and ports, banking, and steel. Three pillars that supported a significant portion of Ashbourne influence.

A small smile tugged at my lips. Just reclaiming control over these three would be enough to make House Ashbourne uncomfortable.

For a brief moment, my eyes drifted toward the hallway outside. The nursery door remained closed.

Yesterday, I buried my child. Today, I was calculating how to cripple my husband's empire. What a life! Life moved on far too quickly.

"Vermont Maritime Group. Royal Bank. The steel industry."

I closed the document. "Freeze all three."

Sebastian nooded, whether he agreed with my decicision or not.

"The others can wait. Let's see how our opponents move first."

He nodded again, though a trace of concern crossed his face. One eyebrow lifted slightly.

"If these assets are frozen, House Ashbourne will lose nearly half of its cash flow." He paused.

"My Lady, this will not be viewed as a domestic dispute."

I looked up.

"It will be seen as an economic attack."

He continued "House Ashbourne won't remain passive. They will retaliate. Politically, financially, and possibly through the Church."

His tone remained professional. Calm and measured. Exactly as expected from a man who had spent decades navigating noble conflicts. "Are you certain?"

"That's exactly what I'm waiting for, Sebastian." I set down my teacup.

"I'm starting a fire." A faint smile appeared on my lips.

"And I intend to be the last one standing when everything finishes burning."

The concern on Sebastian's face deepened.

"I hope you've calculated every possible outcome, My Lady. I only facilitate your decisions."

A chilling quiet descended upon us. For the first time since this began, Sebastian seemed to be questioning my judgment.

Normally, I was painfully methodical. Now I probably looked reckless. But what else was there left to fear? I had already lost the most precious thing in my life.

"Excuse me, My Lady. Lord Ardent has arrived." Abella's voice broke the silence.

Ah. If he had come as a representative of the Crown before, perhaps today he was simply visiting as an old friend. How thoughtful.

But that hope vanished the moment the door opened. Cyran entered wearing an official Valerion cloak embroidered with the royal crest.

In his hands rested a black box sealed with wax. Oh, come on. What now?

Had I really created such a massive problem that the royal family felt compelled to appear at every turn?

"I come as an official envoy of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

The room fell silent. Even Sebastian and his team stopped moving.

Slowly, Cyran opened the box. Inside lay a gold invitation bearing the royal crest.

The royal crest gleamed beneath the sunlight. Stamped below it was the personal seal of the heir to the throne. A strange unease washed over me before he even started speaking.

"His Royal Highness Crown Prince Adrian Valerius requests Lady Seraphina Ashbourne's presence at the Succession Ball."

Nobody said a word. Even Sebastian appeared momentarily speechless.

I looked toward him, hoping for some explanation. He merely shook his head.

For the first time in my life, I had received an official royal invitation addressed directly to me. Not to my husband or House Ashbourne.

This time, I wasn't invited as someone's companion. The invitation was addressed to Seraphina Ashbourne herself.

I couldn't decide whether this was support or a threat wrapped in royal courtesy. The Crown Prince was not a man known for meaningless gestures.

Especially not weeks before the formal succession announcement. It seemed someone in the palace had begun calculating the value of the war I had started. And I wasn't sure whether that was good news.

"What does this mean?" I asked. Hoping Cyran would offer something more.

"I am merely delivering the invitation." A perfectly diplomatic answer.

"Of course you are." I sighed. "And what if I refuse?"

For the first time, Cyran's expression grew serious.

"His Highness said you are free to decline."

He paused. Then added, "But he hopes you will attend, Lady Ashbourne."

At that exact moment, one of Sebastian's assistants rushed into the room. His face had gone pale.

"Sir... I'm sorry for interuption" He handed a tablet to Sebastian. His expression darkened almost immediately.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

The room was gripped by a heavy silence. Then Sebastian slowly turned the screen toward me.

A headline stared back.

CHURCH COUNCIL CONSIDERS REVIEW OF LADY ASHBOURNE'S CONDUCT FOLLOWING MEMORIAL RECEPTION SCANDAL

Another headline appeared beneath it.

SOURCES CLAIM HOUSE ASHBOURNE MAY SEEK FORMAL CHURCH INTERVENTION

My eyes narrowed. Wonderful. So they were moving already.

I picked up the golden invitation from the table. The metal felt surprisingly cold against my fingertips. A slow smile appeared on my lips.

"Well." I rose from my seat. I picked up the golden invitation and smiled.

"Tell His Royal Highness," I said calmly, "that I will attend."

If House Ashbourne wanted a war...

Then perhaps it was time to choose a battlefield worthy of one.