CHAPTER TWENTY - NINE

**SERAPHINA’S POV**

The sun dipped low on the horizon, casting golden lights across the palace garden. I watched from the balcony of my chambers, the beauty of the scene at odd with the turmoil brewing inside me. The court whispers and Lunara's venomous words clung to me like a second skin, a constant reminder that my every step was being scrutinized.

I closed my eyes, letting the breeze caress my face. If only it could blow away the doubts that plagued me.

"My lady," Lila's hesitant voice broke through me.

*There's a gathering in the east wing," she said, her eyes fixed on the floor. "The elders are meeting. They are discussing the engagement again."

Of course, they were. They would never let Kael have his way without a fight. A cold knot of dread settled inside me.

"I see," I replied. "Thank you for telling me."

Lila hesitated as if she wanted to say more. But then, she bowed and left the room.

I stood there for a moment, my mind racing. The elders disapproval wasn't new. But their meetings had become more frequent, their whispers more pointed. This was no longer simple gossip: it was a storm gathering strength.

Again, Kael's words from earlier echoed: We'll face it together.

But I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was a battle I needed to fight, too. I couldn’t rely on Kael to shield me from everything. If I was going to stand by his side as queen, I needed to prove that I was strong enough to weather this storm.

Summoning my resolve, I made my way to the east wing. I wasn't sure what I would have done there but I couldn't sit idly and watch the elders plot against us.

As I approached the corridor leading to the chamber, I heard their voices—low, urgent, and filled with disdain.

"She is a disaster to the kingdom," one voice hissed.

"The people would never accept her," another voice added.

I pressed myself to the wall, their words were like blades, each aimed at my heart. But beneath the pain, I felt a glimpse of anger. They don't know me. They don't know the sacrifices I'd made, the strength it took to survive in the world that seemed determined to reject me, so they shouldn't judge me.

I clenched my fists, taking a steady breath. I had a choice to make. I could retreat to my room and allow Kael to fight my battles for me, or I could confront them, show them that I'm more than the Whispers and judgment, they hurled at me.

Squaring my shoulders, I stepped into the chambers. The room fell silent as their heads turned towards me, their expression a mix of shock and disapproval.

"Good evening," I said, my voice steady, despite the thundering of my heart. "I understand that you've been discussing my engagement to the kingdom. And I thought it only right that I join in the conversation."

The silence was deafening, but my determination was stronger. This was my fight now and I won't back down.

"Elder Mike, Lunara's father was the first to recover, he stepped forward, his expression stern. "Lady Seraphina, this is a private council meeting and your presence here is.... unexpected."

"Unwanted, you mean," I spoke out, my tone even. I met his gaze head-on refusing to back down. "I believe being the subject of your discussion, I have the right to be here."

His lips thinned, and I could see the others exchange uneasy glances. They weren't used to being challenged, especially not by someone like me."

"Very well then," Elder Talon said, his tone heavy with disapproval. "If you insist on joining us, then perhaps you could explain why you believe you are fit to be our queen."

I drew in a deep breath, steadying myself. This was what I had come for. “I understand your concerns,” I began, my voice firm but not confrontational. “I am not a noblewoman. I do not come from a family of wealth or power. And yes, I possess magic that many of you fear.”

A murmur rippled through the room at my admission, but I pressed on.

"But my worth isn't defined by my bloodline or abilities. It is defined by my character, my actions and my love for Kael. I did not ask for his proposal nor did I manipulate him. He chose me because he saw something in me that you refuse to see—a partner who will stand by his side, not for power or prestige, but because I believe in him and the future he wants to build.”

The room fell silent again, but this time, it was different. I could see some uncertainty in some of their eyes, the seeds of doubt in their conviction.

Elder Mike was the first to break the silence again. "And what of your magic? Can you assure us that you won't bring ruin to our kingdom?"

I turned to him, my gaze steady. "I've dedicated my entire life to learning how to control my magic. But it is not my magic that defines me—it is how I choose to use it. I'm not a threat to this kingdom. I am a protector. But if you can't see that, perhaps it is not me you should fear but your prejudice."

A tense silence followed my words. I could feel their eyes on me, judging, weighing but I refused to back down.

Elder Talon finally spoke, his voice quieter this time. “You are bold, Lady Seraphina. Boldness can be an asset in a queen, but it can also be a liability. We will consider your words.”

I inclined my head acknowledging his words without yielding. "Thank you for your time," I said, turning to leave.

As I walked out of the chambers, my heart was pounding but I felt a strange sense of peace. Even though I hadn't won them over yet, I had managed to show them I couldn't be cowed.

Later that evening when I reached Kael's chambers, he was pacing by the window, his expression tense. The moment he saw me, his expression softened.

"I heard about the elders meeting," he said striding towards me. "You shouldn't have gone alone."

"I had to," I replied, meeting his gaze. "This isn't just your fight Kael, it's ours."

He cupped my face, his hands brushing against my cheeks. "Do you know you are incredible?"

I leaned into his touch., smiling faintly. "I don't feel... Incredible. I feel exhausted."

He pulled me into his arms, holding me tightly. *We'll get through this, Sera. Together."

As I rested my head on his chest, I allowed myself to feel a moment of peace. The battle was far from over, but for now, I had taken a step forward. And for the first time in days, I felt a glimmer of hope.