Chapter 2
This year’s Spring Banquet was held at Highmere Hall, the private estate of Prince Edmund, the little brother of the King.
Officially, it was a celebration of the season’s first bloom. In truth, it was the Queen’s covert way of selecting candidates for royal appointment-specifically, ladies fit to serve as court advisors.
So every noble family with a daughter of talent had sent her here.
In my previous life, it was Seraphina who stole the spotlight with a single collection of poems. Her brilliance earned the Queen’s personal favor-and paved her path to becoming the first female royal official in the history of the realm. The House of Hawthorne basked in borrowed glory.
And my husband and son? They looked at her with new eyes.
Even if it meant casting me aside. Even if it meant replacing me, erasing all I had given.
I shook the memory from my mind and lifted my chin as I entered the gardens.
All eyes turned toward me.
Whispers followed like shadows.
“Lady Elena, demoted to mere company? It’s beneath our kind.”
“And she’s the elder daughter, isn’t she? With beauty and bloodline both. Why would Lord Cedric pass her over for Lady
Seraphina?”
“You don’t understand. Lady Seraphina may not have the same pedigree, but they say her talent is unmatched. Perhaps
that’s why the Lady Elena agreed to step aside.”
“Word around Crownmere is that Seraphina is the most gifted woman in the kingdom. No contest.”
I ignored the noise and took my place with quiet dignity.
As I poured myself a cup of tea, Cedric strolled into the pavilion with Seraphina at his side. His smile was smug.
“Elena,” he said lightly, “why don’t you sit across from us? When Seraphina outshines the entire court today, you’ll at least
be close enough to share in the glow.”
I didn’t look up. I took a careful sip and let out a soft, mirthless laugh.
“You’ve worked hard, haven’t you, Lord Cedric? Spreading whispers, dragging my name through the dirt just to build her up.”
“But have you considered the danger of your game? Favor is a blade with two edges. When it cuts the wrong way, it cuts deep.”
“If Seraphina fails today, she won’t just fade from memory-she’ll become a cautionary tale.”
Cedric scoffed, utterly unconcerned.
Chapter 2
2.22%
“She won’t fail, even the priestess whispered it’s foretold. She’s destined to be the first woman to sit on the King’s advisory
council-a beacon for all noblewomen to follow.”
“Elena, I know it pains you not marry me. But Seraphina will one day lead this house. She must be given her due.”
He gestured toward my teacup.
“Here. Toast to her. Do that, and I’ll forget your attempt to cause trouble the other day.”
“Better yet, I’ll even speak to Seraphina on your behalf. Maybe she’ll agree to let you serve as a lady-in-waiting.”
Gasps rose from the women gathered outside the pavilion. They were waiting for the spectacle-for my humiliation.
I didn’t blame them.
Everyone knew I had once loved Cedric Ashbourne.
The year I came of age, the first proposal I received was from Lord Alistair Marwood, heir to the High Chancellor.
I rejected it without a second thought.
“I’ll only marry Cedric,” I’d told Father. “Even if he’s a lesser-born lord with no title to his name.”
That vow had spread like wildfire across Crownmere. From that day on, it became common wisdom:
If Lady Elena could marry Cedric-even as a mistress-she’d take the offer with a grateful heart.
Somewhere in the crowd, someone called out mockingly:
“Come now, Lady Elena-don’t keep him waiting. Pay your respects before the moment slips away!”
Seraphina, who had been silent until now, finally spoke. She wore the gentle mask of a refined noblewoman.
“Please don’t tease my sister. She’s of proper birth, and I would never presume to overstep.”
Cedric pulled her closer, all adoration.
“You’re too kind. Once you marry me, you’ll be my beloved lady. She’ll answer to you, as any retainer would in your household. There’s no shame in that.”
I looked at them both with a cool, unreadable smile.
“Three questions.”
“First, even if I extended my courtesy-would Lady Seraphina be bold enough to accept it?”
*Second, what makes you so certain I’d still marry you, Lord Cedric?”
“And third… are we really pretending that the Spring Banquet crown has already been decided?”
A hush fell. No one had an answer.
Right then, the steward of the estate stepped forward and bowed deeply.
“Lady Seraphina,” he said respectfully, “Her Grace the Queen has reviewed your poetry. She wishes to see you in private.”
