Chapter two: A vow unbound

Pale sunlight filtered gently through the sheer curtains of Lady Seraphina’s chamber. She lay in bed, a damp towel pressed to her forehead, her skin still faintly flushed from fever. Beside her, Lady Isolde and Amara sat close, worry etched deeply on their faces.

Seraphina’s voice broke the silence, soft yet firm. “Oh, my goodness.”

Amara’s eyes brimmed with concern. “How can we smile when you lie here, Lady Seraphina? Like a fallen queen.”

Seraphina managed a faint smile, despite the weariness in her body. “I will be fine.”

Lady Isolde’s tone was sharp. “And yet, they have not caught whoever poisoned you. I must say, I am deeply disappointed in the royal guards.”

“It was an assassin,” Seraphina stated quietly.

“How do you know?” Amara asked, startled.

Lady Isolde nodded. “She is right. I’m certain it was the Marquis’s niece. After all, the Crown intercepted her before the engagement party.”

“Say no such thing!” Seraphina turned to Lady Isolde, her voice low but resolute. “Last time, I awoke from that fever—the poison’s curse—begging for that wretched Crown Prince. But not this time.”

She closed her eyes briefly. “I was a pawn on parchment. This time... I will divorce that nightmare.”

Amara frowned. “But how can we be sure it wasn’t the witch?”

Lady Isolde’s eyes narrowed. “A lady mustn’t be so vulgar.”

Amara stuck her tongue out playfully. “Since this argument started—both of you, stop it!” Seraphina chided, though a small smile tugged at her lips.

“Fine,” Lady Isolde conceded.

A knock interrupted them. The door opened and in stepped Sir Lancelot. “Your Royal Highness, the High Priest has arrived.”

Amara hurried to open the door wider as the High Priest entered, his face lined with worry.

“You grow weaker, Your Highness. Might I inquire after your well-being? Do you require any succour? I have earnestly sought the holy powers these past three days to lift the venom coursing through your veins. Is your fever worsening?”

Seraphina met his gaze with calm resolve. “I am indeed burdened with fever and weariness, but that is not why I have summoned you.”

The High Priest inclined his head. “Pray, enlighten me as to the true purpose of your summons.”

She motioned for him to sit.

“I find myself compelled to dissolve my engagement to the Crown Prince,” Seraphina said quietly, locking eyes with him.

The High Priest’s face faltered. “That is grievous... Surely it is the fever speaking?”

“I assure you, it is I who speak, not the fever.”

“Are you certain it is not the poison that articulates these words?”

Lady Isolde thought to herself, Will he truly accept her word? Then she smiled faintly. If Seraphina wishes this, I will stand by her.

Seraphina met the High Priest’s gaze squarely. “I give you my word.”

The High Priest nodded gravely. “The head of your household must petition His Majesty for an audience. There is no other path.”

“Must there not be an alternative?” Seraphina asked, her voice almost a whisper.

The High Priest’s eyes softened, but his tone was firm. “Alas, the law is clear.”

Infuriating, Seraphina thought. If only I could shatter the law itself.

“A valid justification is requisite to annul an engagement,” he continued. “Your words carry weight, dear child. A disalliance intertwines realms—you shatter more than a vow; you dissolve a treaty.”

Seraphina’s lips curled into a small, defiant smile. Let it crack and shatter. A realm founded on disingenuous love is already decaying.

Lady Seraphina, thought, I would rather endure the Sovereign’s ire than live a lie.

Sir Lancelot smiled quietly to himself as he stood nearby.

“What do you imply if you refuse to wed Leoric, the Crown Prince? Whom do you nominate instead?” the High Priest asked.

He left the room, closing the door softly behind him.

Seraphina collapsed back onto the bed, exhaustion washing over her.

“My lady!” Amara cried, rushing to her side.

“I’m all right,” Seraphina assured them, “just a little shocked.”

“You weren’t prepared,” Amara said gently, “but you did well.”

Lady Isolde and Amara exchanged a knowing glance, then turned to Lancelot, teasing him.

“Are you happy or sulking? Pick one.” Isolde nudged him playfully.

Before he could respond, a sudden noise startled them. A figure leapt through the window.

“Lord, good Lord!” Lady Isolde exclaimed.

“I told you not to do that!” Lancelot admonished with a grin.

It was Dame Norwen Barristan, Lancelot and Isolde's mother, She was in charge of the Dukedom's guards. She entered with strength and grace.

“What is the meaning of this?” she demanded.

“The meaning of what?” Seraphina asked, sitting up.

“Your annulment of the engagement,” Dame Norwen said sternly.

“Oh, you heard that?” Seraphina smiled wryly. “ I was on the training ground, when I saw Lancelot, leaving your chamber, I figured I'd pay you a visit. The shortest route being your window. By the time I got to the window. He had return with the high priest, so I waited until the priest left. I couldn’t risk him seeing me jump in through the window, so I jumped after he left.”

“Ah,” Seraphina exhaled. “I’ll explain everything later. For now, I need rest. The medicine still makes me lightheaded.”

One by one, they left her chamber, leaving her to the quiet peace of her room.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***