Chapter 5

After spending the last three months with her family, Seraphine felt an unbreakable bond forming with each member. It was as if missing pieces of a puzzle had finally found their place. The changes in her were evident, and her family, though initially uncertain, grew fond of the newfound warmth in her demeanour.

During this time together, Seraphine learned more about her family's stories, their dreams, and their quirks. Likewise, they discovered sides of her they hadn't known before.

One day, she mustered the courage to approach her father, her eyes reflecting determination. "Father," she began, "please don't arrange my engagement to any nobleman just yet. I'm not ready."

Her father and brothers exchanged glances, their faces breaking into smiles of relief and understanding. It was clear they valued her happiness above all else.

As days turned into weeks, the much-anticipated debutante ceremony approached, marking a new chapter in Seraphine's journey.

**

As dawn broke, the mansion came alive with the soft footsteps of maids getting ready for the big day. Milli, Seraphine's loyal maid, gently woke her up with a soft voice.

"Miss Seraphine, wake up. Today's your special day."

Seraphine, once a famous actress named Sara, smiled as she woke up. She remembered her days in the spotlight and felt excited to shine again. She was ready to be treated like a queen.

She started her day with a relaxing bath filled with fragrant herbs and flower water. The soothing scents refreshed her, not just her skin but also her soul. After her bath, she used special skincare products, some made with magical ingredients.

"Thank goodness for magic," Seraphine thought, "It helps me keep my skin glowing."

Despite some objections from the maids worried about her appearance, Seraphine insisted on having a light breakfast.

"I need to eat to stay energetic for the dances and fun tonight," she said. They finally agreed and served her a small, healthy meal.

When it was time for hair and makeup, Seraphine chose a simple yet elegant hairstyle, decorated with a lovely hair accessory.

However, fate intervened when the maid responsible for her makeup suffered an accident, injuring her hand. With a deep breath and a steady hand, Seraphine took on the task herself. She chose makeup that accentuated her natural beauty, evoking a timeless elegance.

Finally, it was time to dress. Silken undergarments were slipped on, providing both support and comfort. Then, with the assistance of the maids, she donned her breathtaking midnight blue gown, its fabric shimmering like the night sky, complemented by long black gloves that added a touch of mystery.

As she stood before the mirror, Seraphine felt a swell of emotion. Today was more than just a debutante ball; it was a celebration of her journey, from actress to royalty, from Sara to Seraphine. With a final glance in the mirror, she was ready to embrace the night and all its enchanting possibilities.

As Seraphine was getting ready, a gentle knock echoed through the room. Milli answered the door to find Duchess Selina, Seraphine's mother, standing there, radiating elegance.

Seraphine turned her gaze from the mirror to her mother, her eyes lighting up. "Mother," she greeted warmly.

The Duchess placed a hand over her heart, visibly moved by her daughter's sweet greeting. "Oh, my dear," she sighed, clearly enchanted by Seraphine's charm.

Seraphine laughed softly, her eyes twinkling. "You look as radiant as an angel, Mother."

With a playful skip in her step, the Duchess approached Seraphine and planted a loving kiss on her forehead. "And you, my darling, are the very image of an angel."

The maids in the room couldn't help but smile, witnessing the heartwarming exchange between mother and daughter.

Reaching into a velvet box, the Duchess pulled out a breathtaking diamond necklace. As she fastened it around Seraphine's neck, the diamonds sparkled, perfectly complementing her midnight blue gown. The final touch transformed Seraphine into a vision of otherworldly beauty.

"Now, you truly look like the princess of Blackwood Duchy," the Duchess declared, her eyes filled with pride.

The maids joined in with compliments, each expressing admiration for Seraphine's stunning appearance. As Seraphine looked at herself in the mirror, she felt a wave of happiness wash over her. She truly looked every bit the sophisticated lady she had hoped to be for this unforgettable night.

**

In the soft glow of the evening light, the time had come for Seraphine and her family to depart for the royal palace. The grand debutante ball awaited them in the palace's majestic banquet hall.

Seraphine and her mother descended the stairs, radiant in their gowns, drawing admiring glances from those awaiting them below. The warmth of their smiles was infectious, lighting up the room.

"Oh, our honourable ladies look stunning tonight. I wish I could freeze this moment forever," the Duke exclaimed with a twinkle in his eye. The Duchess playfully tapped his chest and said, "Enough flattery, you'll make our dear Seraphine blush." Their playful banter left their children shaking their heads in amusement.

Nathaniel, the eldest, broke the moment, "Alright, enough of that. I've captured this moment in a magical portrait. It's a new creation from the magic tower."

Oliver, the clever mage of the family, chimed in, "Yes, and I designed and developed this magical device. Quite proud of it."

Seraphine laughed warmly, "My brother never ceases to amaze me. I'm so proud of you, Oliver." He beamed with pride, earning smiles from the onlookers.

The Duke cleared his throat, "It's time to leave, everyone. Let's go." Nathaniel couldn't resist a playful jab, "Oh, you've finally remembered, have you?" He received a gentle smack on the head from his father for his cheekiness.

The butler interjected, "The carriages are ready, my lord." With that, they made their way to their respective carriages.

The Duke and Duchess rode together, while Nathaniel, Oliver, and Seraphine took another carriage. As the carriages began to move, Seraphine found herself lost in thought, anticipation and excitement filling the air as they journeyed towards the royal palace.

**

In the carriage, Seraphine was thinking about the original novel. She sighed and thought: finally, the long-awaited moment has come: the beginning of the original novel.

This is a typical fantasy story with a pitiful Cinderella and her prince charming. But in reality, Cinderella is a cunning fox, and the prince charming is a characterless, idiotic person.

The original novel is about the love story between an illegitimate daughter of a Baron's daughter, the heroine of the novel and the noble crown prince and how they overcome the obstacles in their way. And one of these obstacles is Seraphine Arial Blackwood the only daughter of Blackwood duchy.

Seraphine fell for the crown prince at her debutante ball, but her feelings led to a scandal. She was set up and found in a compromising position with the crown prince who drugged her drink at the ball, tarnishing her reputation. This was rooted in a family history of broken engagements: her mother, Selina, was once engaged to the current emperor, only to be betrayed. Instead of becoming an empress, a commoner named Camellia took the title.

After Camellia became an empress, it became clear she wasn't suited for the role. The responsibilities overwhelmed her, and she struggled to fulfil her duties as the mother of the nation. The emperor began to regret his decision, realizing he had made a mistake in choosing her as empress.

As tensions grew, a vassal suggested to the emperor that he marry Selina, who was trained to be an empress. Tensions continued to rise as the emperor considered marrying his former fiance Selina who was trained to be an empress, to replace Camellia.

Rumors circulated that the emperor planned to replace Camellia with Selina the daughter of Forestwood duchy. This angered the empress, who already felt threatened by Selina.

However, Selina's father intervened, arranging Selina's marriage to the Duke of Blackwood instead, to prevent another scandal.

Selina was heartbroken by the emperor's betrayal, amidst this turmoil, Selina found solace in her marriage to the Duke of Blackwood. Despite the empress's attempts to harm her, Selina's happiness grew, contrasting sharply with the strained relationship between the emperor and empress.

The empress's jealousy intensifies, fueled by Selina's happiness and the emperor's regrets. The palace was filled with intrigue and betrayal, as each person sought to secure their position in this complex web of relationships.

After Selina's marriage to the Duke of Blackwood, the emperor's regret grew over his choice of Camellia as empress. He married a princess from a neighbouring kingdom to fulfil the empress's duties and took on numerous concubines.

He was actually a characterless man, he was furious because he got what he wanted but didn't get Selina who was meant to be his. His son, the crown prince, mirrored his father's behaviour in the original novel.

In the original novel, the crown prince married Selina's daughter, Seraphine, seeking revenge for his mother, Camellia. Initially, he appeared to be an ideal husband, and it was not until Seraphine fell deeply in love with him.

However, he soon fell for Bella, an illegitimate daughter of a baron the heroine of the novel and a priestess. She was a beautiful girl with white hair and brown eyes.

Because she saved his life with her divine power and always understands him. After a few meetings they started having more intimate relationships and the prince started spending nights with her.

After the temple finds out about Bella's relationship with the prince they promote her as the saintess though her powers are not sufficient enough to be a saintess.

As the prince began to ignore Seraphine and spend time with Bella, the empress bullied Seraphine relentlessly, there was also the pressure of work. Heartbroken and alone, Seraphine became depressed, isolating herself from her family.

Upon hearing rumours of her husband's affair with Bella, Seraphine visited the temple to confront Bella and the mistress. The prince, fearing for Bella's safety, rushed to the temple. Upon entering, he misinterpreted the situation, seeing a knife in Seraphine's hand and Bella crying.

In a tragic misunderstanding, the prince fatally stabbed Seraphine. Bella ran into his arms, crying, creating the impression that Seraphine was the aggressor.

Seraphine's death was labelled as the act of a villainess, with the true events of that fateful day remaining hidden. The novel primarily focuses on the sufferings of the empress and the crown prince, with the heroine eventually healing their broken hearts.

After Seraphine's death, the Blackwood family faced repercussions, accused of rebellion. The protagonists married and enjoyed a happily ever after, while Seraphine was unjustly portrayed as the villainess in the story.

##

Seraphine's POV...

In the depths of my memories, I know the truth about Seraphine's intentions that fateful day at the temple. She never intended to harm Bella; she sought to frighten her by risking her own life. Yet, Bella's love for the crown prince blinded her, making her justify her actions even as Seraphine's life hung in the balance. That day Bella also revealed that she was pregnant with the crown prince's child.

The pain of knowing this truth weighs heavily on me. Seraphine was wronged and labelled a villainess when she was innocent. The suffering she endured within the palace walls was unimaginable, a cruel fate for a young woman who loved deeply and passionately.

The Blackwood family, devastated by the loss of their beloved daughter, sought justice. They uncovered evidence of Seraphine's innocence, fighting tirelessly to clear her name. But their efforts were in vain, leading to their tragic end.

It's a heartbreaking realization, knowing that Seraphine's life was cut short unjustly, her true story hidden behind the lies and betrayals that filled the pages of the novel. Her memory lingers, a poignant reminder of the injustices she faced and the love she held for a man who couldn't see past his own desire.

**********

#. Seraphine's dress for her debutante ball:

📍(picture from Pinterest)

#. Accessories :

📍(this picture is mine ☺️)

#. High heels:

📍 (picture from Pinterest)

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