Chapter 3: Whispers in the Walls

[Dawn – Seraphina’s Chambers]

Lady Mirelle (Maid):My Lady? You didn’t sleep again?

Seraphina: No. The walls here… they whisper. I kept hearing things. Voices.

Lady Mirelle: The servants say this wing is haunted. They don’t come here after sunset. They say the last duchess went mad-

Seraphina:There was no last duchess.

Kaelrith never married before me.

Lady Mirelle (hesitant): That’s what’s strange, my Lady… The portrait in the hall—there’s a woman in a black veil.

Seraphina (freezing): A woman…?

[Later – Hallway of the East Wing]

Seraphina (to herself): This wasn’t here last time… A painting. Covered in dust.

That face…

[Text Message Appears – Faded, Glowing Slightly]

Unknown Whisper: He’ll ruin you too.*

Seraphina (gasping): Who’s there?!

[No reply. The air turns cold.]

Kaelrith (appearing behind her): You're up early, wife.

Seraphina (startled): Kaelrith… you scared me.

Kaelrith: Good. That means you're still sane.

Seraphina: There was a voice… A woman’s voice. It said—

Kaelrith: Don’t listen to the walls. They lie.

Seraphina: What happened here? Why is this wing cursed?

Kaelrith (coldly): Because this castle is built on the bones of the past. And some pasts refuse to stay buried.

Seraphina: Then we should *dig them up*, not pretend they don’t exist.

Kaelrith: You want the truth? Fine. But don’t blame me when it bleeds.

[Later – Kaelrith’s Study. Dim lighting, a fire crackling.]

Kaelrith: The woman in that painting—her name was Elira. She wasn’t my wife, but she loved me. Or said she did.

Seraphina: What happened to her?

Kaelrith: She tried to kill me. Poisoned wine. But I survived… and she vanished into the east wing. Some say her soul never left.

Seraphina: You think she’s haunting this place?

Kaelrith: I know it.

Seraphina: Then why keep her portrait?

Kaelrith: To remember what trust costs.

[Silence. Seraphina studies him.]

Seraphina: You trust no one, do you?

Kaelrith: Only fools trust freely. And I’m no fool.

Seraphina: Then maybe you need someone brave enough to prove otherwise.

Kaelrith (low voice): You keep talking like you know me. Like you’ve seen behind the mask.

Seraphina (softly): Maybe I have.

[He steps closer. The space between them tightens.]

Kaelrith:You're not what they told me you’d be. Not a spoiled noble’s daughter. Not a puppet.

Seraphina:And you’re not a heartless villain. You bleed like everyone else. You just hide it better.

[A flicker of emotion crosses Kaelrith’s face—gone in a blink.]

Kaelrith: Go back to your chambers, Seraphina. Before the castle whispers more lies in your ear.

Seraphina: Not until you answer one more question.

Kaelrith: Speak.

Seraphina: Why did you agree to marry me?

Kaelrith (pauses): Because I needed an heir. And because no one else dared marry the Shadow General.

Seraphina (gazing at him): That’s what you tell yourself. But I think there’s more.

Kaelrith (quietly): And if there is?

Seraphina: Then maybe this isn’t a curse.

Maybe it’s a second chance.

[A sudden, violent rattle echoes from the east wing. A mirror shatters on its own.]

Kaelrith (drawing his sword): Stay here.

Seraphina:Like hell I will.

Kaelrith: You're reckless.

Seraphina (grabbing a dagger): I’ve died before. I’m not afraid of ghosts.

[Moments later – East Wing, cold and full of shadows. Fog creeps in.]

Unknown Whisper (surrounding them): You don’t belong here, bride of blood. He will destroy you.

Seraphina (defiantly): I’ve seen destruction. I’ve seen death. He’s *not* the monster you think.

Kaelrith: Seraphina, stop—

[A translucent figure appears—Elira, her face twisted with sorrow and rage.]

Elira (Spirit): He lies. He’ll make you suffer… as I did.

Seraphina: Why did you try to kill him?

Elira: Because I loved him!

And he gave his heart to war… not to me.

Seraphina (softly): Then maybe your soul wasn’t broken by him… Maybe it was broken by your own regret.

[Elira’s figure trembles. Fades. Silence returns.]

Kaelrith (staring at Seraphina): You faced her without flinching.

Seraphina: I told you. I’m not afraid.

Not of you. Not of ghosts. Not of the truth.

Kaelrith: Then maybe you really are a fool.

Or maybe… something else entirely.

Seraphina: Maybe I’m the woman fate sent to *rewrite your story*.

(He stares at her—for once, silent. Something shifts in his gaze.]

Kaelrith (quietly):The east wing will no longer be off-limits. Stay as long as you like.

Seraphina (surprised): Is that… permission or trust?

Kaelrith:Call it what you will.

[He turns to leave—but stops at the door.]

Kaelrith: Be careful, Seraphina. The deeper you dig… the more danger you invite.

Seraphina (whispering): Let it come.

Seraphina (to herself): Because this time… I’m not the girl who died. I’m the woman who *came back to win.

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