Chapter 12 “How Much More, Seraphine?”
Clutching my left cheek, I looked at my husband who jabbed a finger in my face like he was scolding a child
Finished
“Let me make something clear, Sera” Elian seethed. “I did not spend three years on the battlefield cleaning wounds and healing warriors just so I could come back and be disrespected by you! I’m not the same weakling man that left. Hecame man on that battle field, I won’t stand for your rebellion”
Nyra sauntered over, running her fingers possessively along Elian’s arm.
“Your pathetic letters were quite entertaining the purred. “I read each one aloud to Elian while he made love to me. Wed laughed at your desperate words, your declarations of fidelity, your ad little reports about keeping his home ready”
My breath caught. “You read my letters
“Of course,” Elian said, shrugging. “What else were they good for but entertainment?
Nyra circled me. “You’re nothing like they described The Red Phantom–feared warrior, killer of men, protector of the kingdom. The girl who made even the Alpha King afraid she sorted. “Look at you. Pathetic Weak. Not even woman enough to please your husband”
She leaned in close. Tll show you what a real woman is, Seraphine. Il remind you daily of your place in this household. Under my heel.”
Emogen’s growl vibrated through my chest. “One swipe Just one swipe of our claws across her throat”
“Get out.” Elian ordered, pushing me toward the door. “Your new accommodations await.”
I stumbled into the hallway, clutching my meager belongings to my chest. Behind me, the door slammed, followed by the sound of Nyra’s laughter and the creak of my bed.
My life had turned to hell.
The servants‘ quarters were worse than I remembered. Dusty, cramped, with a musty smell that clung to the walls. A small cot with a thin mattress sat in the corner. No sheets. No Idankets Just–stained fabric and years of neglect.
For the last three years since Elian left for battle, the house went downhill. I secretly used my own money to help pay the bills while doing all the chores myself. Now that Elian was back, he didnt need rpy help. He had no idea that his family home would have been taken by debt collectors if I hadn’t pad them 203 gold coum. I thought I was protecting my husband’s home by using my inheritance to take care of things. Turns out I was only preserving it for the wornan now naked in my bed.
I set my belongings down and began to clean. Not because they ordered me to, but because I refused to sleep in filth. As I scrubbed, Emogen paced inside me.
“They’ve gone too far,” she growled. “We are warriors. We are Velkans. We do not how to this treatment.”
“I made a promise.” I whispered. “A warriors word should be as good as her sword
“Your mother is dead.” Emogen replied. “And she would never have wanted this for you.”
By the time I finished cleaning, my hands were raw and my back ached. I collapsed onto the cot, too exhausted to cry.
Morning came with shouted orders.
“Seraphine‘ Get up! There’s work to be done Lady Everette’s voice pierced through the thin door.
I dragged myself up, muscles protesting after a night on the hard cot. When I came upstairs, the house was in chaos. Servants. -new ones I’d never seen before–rushed about, carrying flowers, food, and decorations.
405 PM
Chapter 12 “How Much More, Seraphine?”
Finished
Lady Everette appeared, clapping her hands. “Don’t just stand there! Help with the preparations. The guests will arrive by
noon.
–
“Guests?”
“Yes, guests,” she snapped. “Important people. The kind who would never speak to someone like you unless you were serving
them wine
I spent the morning in the kitchen, peeling vegetables and scrubbing pots while the hired cooks prepared elaborate dishes.
By midday, the house was transformed. Flowers adorned every surface, candles glowed in silver holders, and the smell of roasted meat and fresh bread filled the air. Guests began to arrive–nobles, warriors, and merchants from across the territory.
I retreated to my room to change. I hoped to get some peace and quiet, instead I found my door ajar and mumbling inside. For a moment, I became a warrior again. Ready to confront danger and snap necks.
Instead, I found my mother in law fishing through my belongings.
“What are you doing?” I demanded.
She spun around, my leather pouch clutched in her hand. The pouch where I kept my gold, incase of emergencies.
“Thief!” she accused, holding the pouch up. “Hiding money from the family! From my son!”
“That’s mine,” I said, stepping forward.
She backed away. “Nothing in this house is yours. Everything belongs to Elian.”
“That’s my personal money-
“Your personal money?” She laughed, mocking me. “What would a poor orphan like you know about money? This clearly belongs to Elian.”
Celeste appeared in the doorway, her eyes gleaming with malice. “Is something wrong. Mother?”
“Look what our little servant has been hiding,” Lady Everette held up the pouch, coins jingling inside.
Celeste gasped with theatrical outrage. “How dare she? After all we’ve done for her!”
“All you’ve done for me?” I repeated incredulously.
“Providing a roof over your head, food in your belly, Celeste spat.
I opened my mouth to correct them, to tell them that my family’s wealth exceeded theirs many times over, but stopped. What was the point? They would never believe the truth. They’d never believe that as the last Velkan, I had become the richest woman in the entire kingdom.
You can have it,” I said quietly.
Lady Everette smirked. “Of course we can. Now, clean yourself up–there are dishes that need washing.”
They left with my gold, heads held high, victory in their steps.
I sat on the edge of my cot, staring at the wall. Emogen’s rage was a living thing inside me, clawing to get out.
*How much more will you endure? she demanded. “How much more can you take?*
“As much as I have to,” I whispered.
