Chapter 2
Seraphine nodded.
“He has treated you well,” the leader said, astonished. “Moreover, you’ve been with him for ten years. You know the rules.”
She lowered her gaze to the bloodstained crack in the floor- -a mark left by a defector from the gauntlet last year.
“The Judas Cradle,” she murmured. “I know.”
The leader’s breath quickened. “That’s a cruel torture device! The iron spikes are poisoned, and the wound takes weeks to heal. Even if you survive, you’ll
bear scars…”
“I can take it,” she looked up, locking eyes with him. “I want to leave.”
Seeing her resolve, the leader could no longer persuade her. He sighed.
“In that case, you will undergo the punishment in ten days.”
When Seraphine left the gauntlet’s Forge, the sun was just rising.
She counted the days in her mind.
Ten days from now would be the day of Lucien’s marriage to Vivienne.
Valmont Keep was busy preparing for the wedding. Who would notice the departure of one insignificant gauntlet?
That suited her just fine.
She would slip away on the happiest day of his life.
As she returned from the gauntlet’s Forge, she saw Vivienne’s carriage parked at the entrance of Valmont Keep.
In the castle gardens, Lady Vivienne stood by the shimmering lake, clad in a flowing gown of pale lilac samite, its sleeves edged with delicate silver embroidery. Her unbound blonde hair was gathered at the temples with a slender circlet of moonstone, its ethereal glow mirroring the quiet nobility of her bearing.
Lucien stood behind her, his hand on her waist, the other gently holding her wrist, teaching her to paint.
“Make this line softer,” Lucien’s voice was unusually gentle, “Relax your wrist.”
Vivienne turned and smiled at him, “Lucien, you’re such a good teacher.”
Seraphine stood in the corridor, watching the smile in Lucien’s eyes, and for a moment, she felt dazed.
“Prince Valmont,” a guard hurried toward them. “Urgent report from the Marshalcy.”
Lucien frowned and was about to speak when Vivienne pushed him away with a smile, “Go. Let your gauntlet keep me company.”
She looked directly at Seraphine.
Lucien glanced at Seraphine. “Sera, stay with her.”
Once he left, Vivienne’s smile vanished instantly.
“How long have you been with Lucien?” Vivienne asked slowly as she picked up a cup of coffee.
“Ten years.”
“Ten years…” she set the tea down, “Kneel.”
Seraphine hesitated.
“What? You think you’re too good to kneel?” Vivienne scoffed. “Your master is Lucien, but soon, I will rule this household. Do you defy me?”
“No, my lady.”
Seraphine slowly kneeled, but just as her knees were about to touch the ground, Vivienne kicked the charcoal basin at her feet, her voice light and mocking. “Kneel on the coals.”
The fire in the basin was still burning brightly.
Seraphine raised her head, meeting Vivienne’s gaze, which was filled with disdain. “You refuse?”
Chapter 2
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“I obey.” she replied, kneeling in the fire.
The burning coals scorched her knees, and the pain spread through her body in an instant.
But Seraphine had bled on blades since childhood–this was nothing.
“The fire is too strong, it’s uncomfortable for me,” Vivienne leisurely sipped her coffee, “Put it out with your knees. Don’t rise until it’s dead.”
Seraphine knelt in silence, the pain of her flesh burning against the coals.
An hour passed before the fire finally died out, and her knees were a bloody mess.
“Get up.” Vivienne waved her hand dismissively. “Return to your quarters and stay there. I dislike noise.”
Seraphine staggered to her feet, turned to leave, and almost collided with Lucien, rushing back.
His gaze fell on her bloodstained knees, and his expression darkened. “What happened?”
Before Seraphine could respond, Vivienne had already stepped forward, “Lucien! Your gauntlet knocked over the charcoal basin, injuring herself and burning me as well.”
Lucien immediately took Vivienne’s hand, inspecting her fingers, and when he saw a slight red mark, he gently kissed her hand, “Does it still hurt?”
Vivienne blushed and shook her head. “No, it doesn’t.”
Seraphine silently retreated to her room.
When she lifted her robe, her knees were raw and torn.
She reached for the medicine chest but found that she had run out of Witch’s Salve.
Bound by Vivienne’s order, she left the wounds untouched.and simply lay down to rest.
But in the middle of the night, the wound became inflamed and caused a fever. Seraphine was delirious, unable to open
In her foggy state, someone seemed to lift the blanket, and cool ointment was applied to her wounds.
Seraphine forced her eyes open with difficulty, only to see it was Lucien.
her
eyes.
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