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My eighteenth birthday was supposed to be the turning point of my life. As the only child of my Duke father, I had been declared the heir to his legacy and lands. This, of course, attracted the attention of many noble families' sons around me. But there was one among them whose gaze managed to make my heart flutter from the very first moment: Count Alaric.

Alaric was a charismatic young man whose handsomeness was legendary. At every reception, every ball, he would approach me, showering me with the most beautiful compliments that caressed my heart. Although I initially enjoyed this attention, my father's advice echoed in my ears: "A noblewoman should act with her mind, not her heart, my Seraphina." My father believed that Alaric's family was not well-established and that his true aim was my wealth.

However, love is an emotion that transcends the boundaries of reason. I couldn't ignore the warm feeling that blossomed within me with every glance, every touch of Alaric's. He spoke such beautiful words to me that it felt as if the entire universe consisted only of the two of us at that moment. The poems he wrote for me, the serenades he played, the rare flowers he brought... they all drew my heart in deeper. Despite my father's expressions of concern, my feelings for Alaric grew stronger day by day.

During a luncheon, Alaric knelt down and, looking into my eyes, asked that magical question: "Beautiful Seraphina, will you unite your life with mine?" At that moment, my world seemed to stop. My heart was pounding as if it would break out of my chest. Ignoring the disappointment on my father's face, I said with a trembling voice, "Yes." At that moment, I would never forget the triumphant smile that appeared on Alaric's face and the sorrowful look in my father's eyes.

Our engagement was held shortly after in a magnificent ceremony. Everyone shared in our happiness, at least seemingly so. My father remained distant throughout the engagement. His coldness towards Alaric never subsided. He even secretly called me aside once and said, "Seraphina, there's something about this man that makes me uneasy. Please, keep your eyes open." Although my father's words planted a small seed of doubt in me, my love for Alaric didn't allow that seed to grow.

While the wedding preparations were in full swing, my father suddenly fell ill. His condition worsened within a few days, and unfortunately, we lost him. This sudden loss deeply shook me. My father was everything to me, my mentor, my closest friend. The darkness that descended upon me with his death was somewhat dispelled in Alaric's arms. Alaric was the one who gave me the greatest support during those difficult days. His compassion and care gave me hope even in the deepest moments of my grief. With my father's death, I clung to Alaric even more tightly. It was as if he was the only branch I could hold onto in life.

After my father's funeral, Alaric hastened the wedding preparations. I was in no state to object. My grief was fresh, and Alaric's presence gave me comfort. As our wedding day approached, a strange unease began to creep into me. It felt as if something was wrong, but I couldn't quite put my finger on what it was. Perhaps it was the doubt created by my father's last words.

Finally, that day arrived. The preparations for the wedding were complete. I put on my wedding gown, and my hair was carefully styled. Alaric was waiting for me in the church. When our eyes met, it was difficult to describe the complex emotions I felt at that moment. On one hand, great happiness, and on the other, a gnawing suspicion...

The marriage ceremony went smoothly. The "I do" that fell from Alaric's lips felt like the confirmation of a curse falling upon me. As we exited the church, amidst the applause of the guests, I took Alaric's arm. I was now Countess Seraphina Alaric.

The wedding feast and ball were joyful. Alaric didn't leave my side for a moment. With the loving words he whispered in my ear, he managed to steal my heart anew. That night, I fell asleep in my new husband's arms. I felt safe and happy.

The first weeks of our marriage were like a dream. Alaric was extremely kind and attentive towards me. He would bring breakfast to my bed in the mornings and surprise me with various delights throughout the day. We would go horseback riding together and stroll hand in hand in the manor's gardens. My father's suspicions seemed unfounded. Perhaps he had only thought that way out of fear of losing his daughter.

However, as time passed, I began to notice small changes in Alaric's behavior. He wasn't as attentive as he used to be. He would come home late at night and get up early in the morning. The warm looks he used to give me had been replaced by a more distant expression. When I asked what was wrong, he would say he was tired or had important business to attend to.

One morning, Alaric said to me, "My dear Seraphina, today I want to take you to a very special place." His voice was as warm and inviting as ever. Despite the slight unease within me, the thought of spending time with him made me happy. Perhaps he was going to make up for his recent coldness.

I got ready, and Alaric and I got into the carriage. As we moved away from the manor, the greenery around us increased. When I asked Alaric where we were going, he simply replied, "It's a surprise."

The carriage entered a wooded area. As we made our way through the trees, the unease within me grew stronger. Finally, we arrived at a small clearing. In the middle stood an old, moss-covered log. Alaric stopped the carriage and helped me down.

"Where is this, Alaric?" I asked, looking around. This place was nothing like the places we usually chose for our outings.

Alaric turned to me with that enchanting smile from the early days. "I wanted to give you a memory you would cherish forever, my dear."

My suspicions had intensified. What were we going to do in this ominous forest? Just as I was about to open my mouth to ask something, Alaric pulled a gleaming dagger from his pocket. My eyes widened in horror.

"Alaric, what is this?" I whispered, taking a step back.

The smile on Alaric's face vanished, replaced by a cold, cruel expression. "I'm sorry, my dear. But your father's inheritance should have been mine."

At that moment, my father's concerns, Alaric's recent coldness, and now the dagger in his hand... everything came together in my mind. Alaric had deceived me. All those beautiful words, those loving looks, those wedding vows... they were all lies. His only goal was my wealth.

"You... did you poison my father?" I asked, my voice trembling.

Alaric shrugged nonchalantly. "Of course. I couldn't wait for that old man to leave you his inheritance. And you were so naive and easily believed everything, so everything went according to my plan."

Tears began to stream down my face. The man I loved, my husband, had killed my father and was now preparing to kill me.

"Why?" I whispered in agony. "I trusted you. I became your wife."

Alaric let out a mocking laugh. "My wife? You were just a source of inheritance, you foolish countess. And now, prepare to bid farewell to that inheritance."

He raised the dagger. I stumbled backward helplessly. I could feel the cold breath of death on my neck. I closed my eyes.

I felt a sharp pain. When I opened my eyes, I saw Alaric's dagger plunged into my chest. I looked at his face in shock. He was smiling with a triumphant expression.

He pulled the dagger back, and I collapsed to the ground. An unbearable pain shot through my chest. Blood soaked my clothes like a warm flood. Alaric looked down at me.

"Goodbye, you foolish countess. Your inheritance is now mine and my family's."

Then he turned his back, got into the carriage, and left me in that forest, abandoned to die.

My eyes were slowly closing. The life energy was draining from my body as if it were being pulled away. My blood began to flow from the wound, down the log it had pierced. Drop by drop, it seeped into the earth.

And at that moment, deep beneath the earth, something that had been in a deep slumber for centuries began to stir. With my blood mingling with the soil, the chains of a forgotten magic were breaking. A race imprisoned in the dark depths below was awakening from its long sleep. My dying blood had become the sign of their rebirth. But I, unaware of this miraculous awakening, was dying in that forest...

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