Chapter 13 The Announcement
#Finished
My husband’s welcome home party was almost as grand as our own wedding With the money my mother in law took from me, she funded the party by ordering the most expensive accessories Despite having more than 20 servants catering the event, she still wanted me to work I moved between the guests like a ghost invisible in the plain gray servants dress Lady Everette forced me into hours earlier
More wine. girl” a portly merchant called without lookin
I filled his glass, biting my tongue against the urge to remind him that he once cowered before me on the battlefeld
Emogen seethed under my skin. They dishonor us. They mock our sacrifices
The music quieted. Elian stepped onto the platform his hand posely around Nyra’s waist. The sight of them together
still made me nauseous.
“Friends, honored guests.” Elian spoke with the same charm he’d once used to fool me “Thank you for joining us on this
momentous occasion.”
I positioned myself in the corner, tray balanced in my hands
“Many of you witnessed my union with Seraphine three years ago he continued eyes scanning the crowd but never landing on me. “A political arrangement that served its purpose during wartime
Murmurs rippled through the guests. Several heads turned searching for me
“But fate had greater plans.” Elian’s face brightened. On the battlefield, when hope seemed lost the Moon Goddess blessed me with a miracle–my true mate
Gasps erupted. More eyes found me now, standing frozen in the commer
“For two years, Nyra has been my strength, my solace” Elian announced proudy. And now, I’m overjoyed to share that she carries my child–the heir to the Everette bloodline”
“Seraphine,” someone whispered nearby. The Red Phantom
Nyra stepped forward, her hand resting deliberately on her stomach. Her eyes found mine across the room before she addressed the stunned crowd.
“I know this may seem… unconventional,” she started. “But I wanted to address what some of you might be thinking”
The room fell silent, all attention on her.
“Elian and I found each other amidst chaos and destruction. While many fought with swords and claws, we fought with healing hands. The Moon Goddess blessed our union on the battlefield, and now she’s blessed my womb. She paused. “Something she’s withheld from others
My teeth clenched so hard I thought they might shatter. Inside me, Emogen howderf
“The truth is,” Nyra continued. “Seraphine has been nothing but gracious about our union
Lies. Every word dripping with lie
The day I arrived and shared our joyous news, she dropped to her knees and thanked me for giving her husband what she couldn’t. The legendary Red Phantom, whose name strikes fear into the hearts of our enemies, showed her true nobility. Despite being a barren woman, she showed no jealousy towards a real woman like me
Nyra’s eyes found mine again, challenging me to contradict her. Her announcement made everyone look at me.
“She’s pledged to remain as first wife in name, a position of honor, Nyra’s smile widened, “while happily serving as nanny to our child. She even embraced me as a sister, thanking me for caring for her husband during those long, terrible months of
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Chapter 13 The Announcement
position completely. We simply seek to celebrate a union that our entire family embraces with open arms.”
Finished
The wine glasses on my tray trembled as my hands began to shake. One slipped, then another, crashing to the floor in a spray of red wine that splashed across my dress like blood. This wasn’t just a celebration, it was a slaughter. A deliberate ceremony meant to shame me and strip me of all my dignity.
Conversations stopped again, and all eyes turned to me.
“My apologies,” I said. 1 knelt to gather the broken glass,
A pair of polished boots stopped before me. I looked up to find Elian staring down, disapproval etched across his face.
“Clean that up quickly,” he said, voice low. “And try not to embarrass yourself further.”
Behind me, I heard someone whisper, “Is that really the Red Phantom?”
“Not anymore, came the reply: “Look at her now.”
I gathered the last shard of glass and fled to the kitchen. After disposing of the broken pieces, I slipped out the back door.
How much more could I endure before breaking? I run to my room down in the servant quarters, stopping to finally take a break at the door.
“We crossed paths once before, though you wouldn’t remember someone as insignificant as me.”
I froze at the doorway. Nyra sat perched on my bed.
“How did you..
“I thought it was time we spoke plainly, away from prying eyes and wagging tongues. Her smile never reached her eyes.
“I have nothing to say to you. Get our
“I served as a battle cook once, did you know? I prepared meals for your illustrious family during the border patrols. You walked past me a dozen times, never seeing me–too consumed with your own importance to notice a mere servant.”
When I looked at her, I saw past the shallow resentment and jealousy. This wasn’t simply about Elian. Her hatred had deeper
roots.
“You and I are more alike than you’d think, Seraphine. I too lost my family in the same massacre that took yours.”
My heart stopped, I bit my tongue. The pain helped me block out the memories of that tragic day.
“I was serving in the courthouse that day. Cooking with my mom and sister, serving food. I was there when you came to your family about some silly dream you’d seen. Shocking, isn’t it, that your dream came true when you were safe, miles away.”
She got up, pacing around my room with a hand on her flat stomach.
“I didn’t know the wine I was serving was poisoned, if I did, I wouldn’t have served it. When the rogue assassin came, he slashed through and killed everyone in the courthouse like it was a hobby. When he got to me, I begged for my life like a child would be for candy, and he spared me.”
“That’s impossible, no one survived that day. I murmured.
No one except your mother, you mean.” She smiles. “I remember the words the rogue said to you.”
She paused, as if for dramatic effects.
“Run little wolf. Run fast. Because next time,we won’t be so merciful.”
Her words
are accurate, it’s foolish to deny. But how How had someone else been there? How could the rogue spare anyone? “Why would he spare you?”
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Chapter 13 The Announcement
Finished
I watched every little thing she did. Emogen was awake within me, suddenly alert, “I choose life. I agreed to be his pawn. So, he used me to spy on you. But when you choose to marry and step back from battle, his plans were somewhat ruined.”
“Why? What did he want from me?”
“I wish I knew. At first, I thought it was just the awe of the red phantom. But seeing how he spared your life that day, letting you save your mother and run. I’m inclined to believe that he has orders not to kill you. He speaks of you so highly. Seraphine. Talks about the great things you’d accomplished if only you’d realize who you are.”
“In all honesty. I’m jealous of you. You have everything any woman would want. I can’t be a warrior unless I come from a noble family. You’ve had the privilege to choose your own path. You’re blind to your own privilege,” she spat. “Do you have any conception of what it’s like: Ive served you my entire life, and now finally, you serve me. I can order you around. You’re my servant now. The great Seraphine Velkan, reduced to nothing but a maid in her husband’s house. A servant under my command. How the tables have turned.“”
She had a smile on her face, the kind one gets from pure prestige. She saw herself better than me. Undoubtedly because of my silence and refusal to defend myself.
She slid one foot in front of the other, smiling sadistically at me.
“Go on, kiss my feet, and I’ll convince Elian to give you the guest room, not this dump.”
Her command was the final straw. In mere moments, it became clear to me how far I’d fallen from grace.
“Never.” I spat. Instead, she simply got up.
“I knew you wouldn’t be easy to break” She murmurs. “Unfortunately, Seraphine, I don’t have the grace or the patience to train you to be a good pet for me.””
At that moment, I finally caught the scent of gasoline poured all over my bed and on the walls. How hadn’t I caught it before?
Nyra stood at the door, looking back at me. “I thank the Goddess that Elian is my mate. Because of him, I got the chance to grow above the most feared battle warrior of all time.”
“So tonight, Nyra said, pulling out a match from her sleeve.
“They’ll know it was you.” I warned, muscles tensing to spring.
“A tragic accident. The disgraced wife, overcome with humiliation, ending her suffering.” Her smile turned cruel. “No one will question: it.”
She struck the match. “Farewell, Red Phantom.”
She threw the match towards the bed, and the fire lit up. I sprung into action, but she slammed the door closed, locking it in place.
I was now trapped in a small room with fire all around me.
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