"I heard that you broke through again?" Rupert asked in the middle of their spar.
The clashing sounds of their swords were loud so Rupert had to yell for them to understand each other. Because of that, Rupert's words reached the ears of the other knights.
They looked at their young lady with awe and admiration written on their faces. They watched her train and engraved her form and postures in their mind.
"Do you really have to announce it?" Sera blocked Rupert's sword and kicked him on the knee but the latter immediately stepped backward to dodge her.
"I'm just proud." Now it was Rupert who blocked Sera's sword. "You're so good, so why are you focusing on healing magic?"
Sera rolled her eyes and stepped back. "I hurt people with my sword, so I'll heal people with my magic."
"But you can be a magic swordsman if you want!" Rupert said with a regretful tone as he attacked Sera again.
"It's not like I pushed aside the idea, okay?" Sera l
“Your grace!” the maid forgot to knock and just barged in the duke’s office. “The duchess and the lady…”The girl was panting when she said those words. The sons were also in the duke’s office so they were surprised by the sudden urgency from the maid.“What happened to them?” The duke was wide-eyed as he felt a touch of nervousness in his heart.“The tea… poisoned…” The girl said in between her ragged breathing.“Poisoned?” The men all stood up and left the office to go to the pavilion where the two were supposed to be having tea.The duke had his fists clenched as he ran towards the direction where his wife and daughter were. Behind were his sons who were also nervous about the condition of their mother and sister.“Steph, Sera!” Alejandro shouted when he saw the two lying on the floor. “Sera!”The light on Sera&rsquo
“Lady Sera was what?” The crown prince stood up when he heard what his sister had to say. He was surprised that she just barged into his office while crying, but he didn’t expect what he heard.A Fiore who had a strong immunity to small doses of poison was unconscious because of poisoning? And of all people, why did it have to be her?Ric lifted his head and closed his eyes. He slowly clenched his fist when he imagined Sera’s unconscious body lying on the bed.“Who did it?” Ric asked calmly but his tone was serious.“They still don’t know. They were stuck when the maid who poisoned her burned all her things and killed herself in the end,” Eli said while crying. “My poor friend. She’s so kind yet people always try to harm her!”Alaric bit his lips. Though the duke wouldn’t let it end like that, it would be hard for him to trace who the mastermind was.“Eli, ca
“Don’t apologize for that.” Ric chuckled. “I should be the one apologizing because I surprised you.”Sera forced a smile since she didn’t want to make the atmosphere a lot more awkward than it already was.“But please, think about it a little more.”“Your Imperial High—”“Please don’t reject me immediately,” Ric cut her off but his tone sounded like he was pleading. “Think about what’s best for you, for your family, and for everyone.”He left her room and she was left in deep thought. Did she really have to think about it just because they were the best possible match?The good thing about the crown prince was he never deceived her. Ever since he had shown his interest in her, he had been honest that it was because she was the best choice for him. At first, he was afraid that he would bring more trouble for her. But the more they spent time
“Are we done now?” Sera asked when they were finished with their purchase. She looked at the duchess who seemed satisfied with what they did and gave her a questioning look.“Do you want to go around more?” The duchess looked at her daughter with a smile. “I’ll stay here for a while.”“Are you sure, Mom?” Sera asked unsure of what to do. There were places where she wanted to go but her mother seemed to be out of energy to go along with her.“Of course, sweetheart. You rarely have a day off so go and enjoy the rest of the day.” The duchess patted her daughter’s shoulder and guided her to the door. “Enjoy your youth, my dear daughter.”She gently pushed her daughter outside so Sera had no choice but to wave her goodbye. Sera covered her head with the hood of her cloak since her hair color would attract lots of attention.Since her mother wanted her to enjoy it, she we
Sera was flustered until they went back home. Even the duchess noticed that she was out of it but she decided not to ask her because she seemed to be not herself yet.“We’re here, Sera.” The duchess said when Renz opened the door for them.Sera nodded and went down after her mother. Her mind was still wandering in the clouds as the image of Tyrone kept flashing in her mind.“You guys are home!” Andrei welcomed them with a hug. “How was your shopping?”“People kept staring at us so it was quite uncomfortable, but it was fine.” It was the duchess who answered her son. “We had fun.”“Is this the look of someone who had fun, Mother?” Andrei laughed when his sister didn’t seem to hear them. “Where did this girl’s mind go?”“I don’t know either.” The duchess laughed. “I asked her to explore on her own while I rest in the bo
After a few weeks, the event that most of the nobility was waiting for finally arrived. Luxurious carriages from affluent families were seen going in the same direction which is to the enchanted forest.Sera woke up early out of excitement. For the past years, she had been left at home every hunting event because her father didn’t want her to socialize with the other nobility but it would be different that year. She was already a knight and she wouldn’t just attend but also participate in the event. She would show everyone that none among the Fiores was weak.“Sera, you look dazzling,” Andrei said with a teasing grin. “I bet your man would—”“I don’t have a man, brother,” Sera said lazily as she went inside the carriage. She smiled at the duchess who wore the same outfit as her but with just lighter colors. “You look good, Mom.”“Thank you, sweetheart.” The duchess smiled
Sera pushed him away even before she was overwhelmed by her emotions. His words were truly tempting for her but she wouldn’t fall for it. Though the death flag that she waited for already passed, she couldn’t think about romance yet. She had a lot more important things that she needed to accomplish.Romance would be just a distraction. Trying to indulge herself in such unsure emotions would just lead her to her own destruction.He looked at her with confused yet pleading eyes but she returned his gaze with a glare before she turned and left him alone in there.“Where have you been, Sera? We’ve been looking for you.” Xander held Sera’s hand and pulled her back to their tent.“Did I worry you? I was just looking at the entrance of the forest so that I wouldn’t get lost later.” Sera tried to act like nothing happened because it wouldn’t be good for her brothers to know that she was being bothered by
Sera kept crying in his arms so Tyron hugged her tighter. He could still feel her trembling over the illusion that the guardian of the forest put her through.“It was just an illusion made by the guardian of this forest, Lady Sera,” he whispered, hoping that he would somehow lessen her fears.He clenched his fists. Why was her fear something like that? Why was she trembling in front of her eldest brother? Why was she afraid of being killed by Baron Floren?Did she grow up being beat up and violently abused by her brother? Were they just acting when they showed others how close their family was?He wanted to ask her about it but he chose to keep his silence. He couldn't muster up the courage to ask her about her deepest fears no matter how curious he was.On the other hand, Sera was still crying hard. She couldn't stop the illusion of Xander killing her again. She couldn’t overcome it even though she knew that it wasn’t her b
“Sera, it’s time to go home,” the duchess called for her daughter who stood in front of the big tree in the middle of the ranch.“I’ll be leaving now, Tyrone. Wish me luck and I hope that you’re not jealous up there.” Sera giggled as she stood up and waved the tree goodbye. She walked towards the carriage and smiled when her mother hugged her tight.“That would be the last time that you’ll get to visit him, right?” Stephanie asked her daughter. She thought that she would be crying like she usually did, but she faced her with a warm and gentle smile.“I could still visit him from time to time, but I don’t think it would be as often as I did before.” Sera let out a sigh.“You’re lucky that your husband is not a jealous man.” Stephanie laughed as she let her daughter lean her head on her.“I’m not yet married to him.” Sera blushed so she h
The three of them ran towards the stable and mounted three horses. Since the assassins seemed to be endless, they needed a safe place to go. Tyrone was sure that the marquis wouldn’t hide his attacks anymore because he was caught and he was threatened not just by his own son but also by the Fiores.Xander was in the front while Tyrone chose to be on the tail so that they could both protect Sera. They spent almost half an hour riding their horses back to the duke’s estate but the assassins kept on chasing them.Just when they were just half a kilometer away from the estate, an assassin shot Xander with an arrow.“Brother!” Sera went down her horse to help her brother who fell from his horse. She looked at the bleeding wound and took a deep breath.“Don’t you dare heal me, Sera!” Xander said in a serious tone. He remembered that magicians only transfer the poison to their bodies every time they heal poisoned victims
“Sera…” Tyrone called her with a pleading tone. He tried to look to her eyes but she wasn’t looking his way. Though he was hidden, he saw her tremble a little.Though she heard him, Sera didn’t want to listen. Was it all a ploy to lure her out? She shouldn’t have followed her useless emotions!“Don’t you dare call her name with that filthy mouth of yours!” He really wanted to cut his neck at that moment but he restrained himself. He didn’t want to break Sera’s heart out of his anger.“Sera… Please, listen to me.” He tried to take a step towards her but Sera took a step back as if she already closed her mind about him. She just said that she would trust him!But how could he trust her words? She knew that Sera went through a lot. She had a terrible trust issue and he was lucky that she trusted him. He should’ve told her earlier. He should’ve told her before Xa
After that, Alaric went back to the palace while the duke told his family – except for Sera – about what he heard. The three were enraged and the duchess had to stop them from killing Tyrone who was waiting for the duke to open the gates for him.How could he be so brazen to request an audience with their father? They entrusted their precious sister to him because they believed that Sera chose the right man but he was the one who almost brought her to her deathbed!Xander sat beside Sera and tucked a few strands of her hair to her ear. “Wake up now, will you?”He bit his lips. Though the priest said that she was out of critical condition, she still needed to be monitored. They were also instructed not to wake her up because her body needed to recover from the stress and the poison.“If not for Mother, I would have killed that bastard out there,” Andric said in gritted teeth. Did they have fun trying to lure Sera out of
“I finally found the evidence that the prisoner talked about, Your Imperial Highness.” Andrew gave his master the documents that he asked to take as evidence.Alaric smirked. “Did you say that this is from the House of Gale?”“Yes, Your Imperial Highness.”Alaric put down the documents and clenched his fist. How dare them? How could they send their son to seduce her and attempt to take her life from the shadows?“The lady has to know about this.” Alaric stood up and prepared himself to visit the Fiore Duchy.On the other hand, Tyrone stormed into his father’s office with clenched fists and gritted teeth.“My Lord, you shouldn’t do this!” The butler tried to stop him but he just pushed the old man away.“What is this commotion about, brother?” Tiana asked when she saw the fuming Tyrone being held back by his father’s knights.
Sera woke up the next day with a bright smile on her face. She was in a good mood because she would be having a date with Tyrone that day.“You seemed inspired today, My Lady.” Mary teased her.“Well, I’ll be out on a date today.” Sera giggled in excitement.“Then I should make you the loveliest girl in the empire today.” Mary laughed as she prepared her bath.“I don’t think I need that anymore,” Sera said confidently. “I bet I’m the loveliest in his eyes no matter how I look.”“I bet he’s just a blind man in love.” Andric entered his room and sat on her bed.“What are you doing here, brother?” Sera asked before she entered her bathroom.“I just went to check on you before my morning training.” Andric stood up and walked towards the door. “Sera, be careful always, okay?”“Don’t worry. I
Her brothers were worried when she went home that day. They thought that Sera wouldn’t have the courage to reject Prince William or that she would have no choice but to marry the crown prince instead. They were mad when they thought that it was a ploy of the emperor to marry her into the imperial family.That was why they were all shocked when Sera returned with a grin on her face.“What happened?” Xander asked with his left brow raised when he saw how happy Sera was.“I’m going on a date tomorrow.” Sera smiled and continued walking inside the manor.“You’re going on a date with the second prince? I thought Lord Tyrone was your lover?” Andrei exclaimed loudly that even the servants looked in their direction.“What are you talking about, brother?” Sera asked him in surprise. “Why would I go on a date with the His Highness William? Of course, I’ll go on a date with Tyrone!&
The duke sent a reply asking for permission to visit the palace instead of just simply sending a letter as an answer. When Sera’s brothers heard about the sudden proposal, they rambled about how the princess only saw Sera as a mere tool that would give them an advantage in their power struggle.Because of that, their view of Tyrone became better. They believed that Tyrone would treat Sera better than any other guy because he only saw her as her and not as the duke’s daughter.“You better give him a piece of your mind, Sera,” Andrei said with a gentle smile.“I think smacking his head would be better,” Xander suggested.“No, brothers. She just needed to tell them to stop bothering her and tear the proposal right in front of him,” Andric added.Sera laughed awkwardly. Just why were her brothers suggesting she do something that would send her to the palace dungeons?“Don’t mind your br
“We’re done!” Xander laughed as he laid himself on the grass. He hugged his sheathed sword and rolled around to go towards Sera.“Brother, why are you playing around?” Sera crouched down and messed her brother’s hair. “You’re not your usual mature self.“Give me a break from time to time, will you?” Xander chuckled as he closed his eyes, savoring the warm touch of his sister. “You’re grown up now so I could relax a little more.”Sera sat on the grass and moved Xander’s head on her lap. She didn’t know how to express her gratefulness towards the brother who gave her his time to teach her the sword. She knew it wasn’t an easy task knowing that he was also training with the sword and training as a successor.“Thank you, brother.” Sera smiled as she continued to brush his hair with her fingers.“Why are you thanking me suddenly?” Xand