“My father has already guaranteed that Eva will not be in your way. What more are you concerned about? You are eighteen years
old! Besides me, who else would have you!”
Before my father could speak, I walked to the Marquis’s table, picked up his teacup, and hurled it at Julian.
My time in Lyria, where target–tossing games were popular, had honed my aim to perfection. The cup struck Julian squarely on the
temple. A line of red blood trickled down his cheek.
“You.. how dare you…”
As Julian stared at me in shock, I calmly wiped the tea that had splashed onto my dress and said with a sneer, “Even a beaten dog
knows when to flee. Julian, how can you be so shameless? Must I spell it out for you?”
“You carry yourself like a noble lord, but this desperate, clinging act.. you’re no better than a boy for hire from a pleasure house.”
Three years later, I returned his own words to him.
Julian’s face flushed a deep red, and his body trembled with rage! But he clearly remembered where the words came from and
couldn’t retallate
The Marquis stood up, his face dark, an aura of menace radiating from him. “Since your daughter does not wish to marry, then let
her serve you in this house for the rest of her life. I would like to see which man dares to marry the woman that the House of Blac-
kwood could not have!”
He shot me a venomous glare, his words dripping with threat.
Julian wiped the blood from his forehead with the back of his hand and added, “My father is right. His military achievements are
legendary. How can a mere house of scholars in the capital compare?”
“Seraphina de Valois, you had better think carefully. Who in this city dares to oppose the House of Blackwood? If you do not marry
me, who would dare to marry you? When your parents pass, you will be left with nothing but a lonely life of prayer and solitude!”
Julian spoke through gritted teeth, his face a perfect echo of the man who had forced me to break our engagement three years
ago. The composure was a sham. He was still the same arrogant, condescending heir, and he had never changed.
I touched the jade pendant at my waist. Prince Adrian had fastened it there himself before I left Lyria.
“Even if the House of de Valois cannot compare to the House of Blackwood, we are still a respected family in this city. What makes you so certain that no one would be willing to marry me?”
Julian thought I was bluffing. He warned me again. “Seraphina, since you refuse to see reason, then we shall see.
Before he could finish, a loud, clear voice cut through the tension.
“A Royal Decree has arrived-
The Lord Chamberlain entered, holding a bright yellow scroll. Everyone scrambled to their feet and then fell to their knees.
In the decree, the Emperor praised my grace, wisdom, and virtue, calling me a model for all the noblewomen of the capital.
He bestowed my hand in marriage to Prince Adrian, the wedding to take place before the end of the year,
