Chapter 1
In Crownmere, the capital of the kingdom, we were seen as the picture of noble perfection.
But when I fell gravely ill, Cedric Ashbourne-my husband-locked the physician outside the manor gates. He took my trembling hand, forced a quill between my fingers, and made me sign a letter of annulment.
“Elena,” he said with a grave expression, “I’ve done right by you… but I’ve wronged your sister.”
“She’s unmatched in brilliance. She’s sacrificed everything for me. With your health fading, it’s only right that she take your place at my side.”
Our son, newly crowned as the first laureate of the King’s Challenge, stood proudly beside him.
“Mother, You’ve always done your duty, but it was Aunt Seraphina who kept the estate standing when everything nearly
fell apart. I owe her everything.”
“From now on, I’ll regard her as the one who truly raised me”
The fury in my chest swelled too fast to speak. Blood surged to my throat, and before I could utter a word, darkness
claimed me.
After a lifetime of devotion-of raising that child and preserving the Ashbourne name-I was cast away like refuse. No burial. No prayers. They discarded my body in the woods, where scavengers picked it apart like carrion.
But then… I opened my eyes again.
And found myself in the past-on the very day Cedric arrived at our estate to propose.
This time, I noticed the way he looked at Seraphina. The way his gaze clung to her, never wavering. And I made a decision.
Let them have each other.
But the Hawthorne name? I would protect it with my own hands!
The title of the kingdom’s most brilliant lady? That crown would be mine!
Father stood before the great hall, surrounded by lavish wedding tributes. He nodded in approval, just as he had in that other life, and addressed Cedric with fatherly pride.
“Lord Cedric, Elena is the jewel of our house. If you wish to marry her, you must pledge before the gods and your house that she will be your only lawful wife, now and always.”
But Cedric interrupted without hesitation.
“No, Lord Hawthorne. I’ve come to ask for the hand of your younger daughter-Lady Seraphina.”
Father stared at him, stunned. After a long silence, he frowned deeply.
“Everyone in Crownmere knows Elena was raised beside you. She’s turned away suitor after suitor, all for your sake. And
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now this? How do you expect her to show her face again?”
Cedric finally looked away from Seraphina and straightened his shoulders.
“Some things, my lord, cannot be explained.”
“I know Elena would make a fine wife, but I don’t want a life of quiet civility.”
“I want to build something bold-with Seraphina by my side.”
And in that moment, I understood.
Cedric had been reborn, too.
Maybe their unfinished bond from the life before still clung to him. Maybe this time, he meant to chase what he’d lost.
Seeing my father’s mounting anger, Cedric offered what he thought was a compromise.
“That said, Lord Hawthorne, you’re not wrong. Elena’s name has long been tied to mine. I’d be willing to take her in… as a
companion. I’ll ensure she’s cared for, always.”
I expected Father to throw him out.
Instead, he exhaled and said,
“Enough. Return to your manor. I’ll give the matter some thought.”
Cedric and Seraphina left, satisfied.
I watched them walk away, side by side. Their closeness wasn’t even masked. I turned to Father, puzzled.
“Why didn’t you refuse him?”
He squeezed my hand, voice heavy with sorrow.
“Elena, you’ve loved Cedric since you were a child. You swore you’d marry no one else. I feared if I turned him away, you’d resent me.”
I leaned gently against his shoulder and smiled.
“I’m not angry, Father.”
“I am your daughter. Born to this house with honor. How could I ever lower myself to become a man’s second choice?”
Relief passed through him, his shoulders loosening.
“You’ve always had the clearest mind.”
“Then I’ll send someone to deliver the news to Lord Cedric.”
“No need,” I said softly. “I’ll speak with him myself. Some things are best ended face to face.”
I left the hall and made my way toward Seraphina’s wing-only to be told Cedric had already gone. Chapter 1
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It had been some time since I’d last spoken to my sister. I dismissed the handmaids and quietly stepped into her private
quarters.
Just as I reached for the door, I heard voices from inside.
“My lady,” one of her maids whispered, “you’ve done it. You drove her mother straight to her death and stole her wedding right out from under her. That’s justice for your own mother, isn’t it?”
“They always said Lady Elena was the clever one, but if you ask me? You’re far more cunning.”
My spine locked. I instinctively stepped into the shadows.
Their careless cruelty-those sharp, mocking words-rattled something deep in me I thought had long been buried.
Until now, I had believed my mother died of illness.
But Seraphina… had killed her.
Rage took hold of my heart.
I turned to run, to tell Father everything-only for Cedric to appear and grab me by the arm.
He glanced toward Seraphina’s chambers and completely misunderstood.
“Elena, you’re not here to confront her, are you?”
I didn’t speak.
“She means no harm to anyone. If you’re upset, take it out on me. Just… don’t hurt Seraphina.”
“And let me remind you-she’s brilliant. When she shines at the Spring Banquet three days from now, all of Crownmere will see it. That kind of talent will bring honor to both our families.”
“You being placed beneath her as a companion isn’t shameful. It’s simply the way things are.”
“Brilliant and kind.” Those words cut deeper than he knew.
In that moment, everything changed.
I would no longer let Seraphina stand on the bones of those she crushed. Nor would I let Cedric walk away from his own
sins.
If he wanted to chase some romantic fantasy, I would make sure it ended in bitter regret.
“Lydia,” I murmured to my maid, “track down the physician who treated my mother. And the attendants who served her in her final days.”
“And prepare yourself.”
“At the Spring Banquet, we’re going to expose them both-and tear their pretty little lie apart.”
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