Chapter 13: The Snake in the Garden
The grand halls of the imperial palace echoed with the hushed murmurs of servants and nobles alike. Though none dared to speak against Seraphina openly, the tension in the air was suffocating.
Seraphina had spent years in the palace, first as a powerless empress, then as a vengeful ruler reborn. She had learned that the court was not unlike a garden—and among the roses, there were always snakes.
Tonight, one of them would reveal itself.
She sat in her private chamber, the golden candlelight casting flickering shadows against the walls. A faint rustle near the doorway made her lips curve slightly.
"You're late," she murmured.
From the shadows, a figure emerged.
A man in dark robes, his face partially hidden beneath a hood, knelt before her. The insignia embroidered on his sleeve marked him as one of her whisperers, spies who moved unseen through the empire.
He bowed his head. "Your Majesty, I bring news."
Seraphina leaned forward. "Speak."
The whisperer hesitated. "Duke Valen—he has sent a secret message beyond the palace walls."
She did not react. She had expected this.
"To whom?" she asked, swirling the wine in her goblet.
The whisperer lowered his voice. "To the Third Prince of Velanthia."
For the first time, Seraphina stilled.
Velanthia.
A neighboring empire, one that had once been allied with hers—until betrayal severed their ties. The Third Prince, Cassian Velanth, was a cunning tactician, rumored to be as charming as he was ruthless.
And now, Duke Valen had reached out to him.
"Do we know what was written?" she asked.
The whisperer nodded. "A request for support. It seems Valen does not believe he can overthrow you alone."
Seraphina's fingers tightened around the stem of her goblet. How foolish.
She had not even needed to pressure him—Valen had condemned himself with his own desperation.
Rhys, standing by the window, finally spoke. "If Velanthia involves itself, this could become… problematic."
Seraphina exhaled slowly. "Then we ensure they never get the chance."
She turned to the whisperer. "Find the messenger. Make sure the letter never reaches Velanthia."
The man nodded and disappeared back into the shadows.
Rhys studied her for a moment. "You seem… calm."
Seraphina took a slow sip of her wine. "Because I knew this would happen. Valen was never loyal. I simply needed him to prove it."
Rhys tilted his head. "And now?"
A cold smile graced her lips.
"Now," she murmured, "we cut off the snake's head before it can bite."
The Next Morning
Duke Valen awoke to a sealed imperial decree delivered to his estate.
He unrolled the parchment, reading the words carefully. His breath caught in his throat.
It was a summons.
Seraphina had called for a meeting.
His fingers trembled as he clenched the letter. He knew—he knew she had found out.
And there would be no mercy.