CHAPTER THIRTY

**Seraphina's POV** 

The palace walls felt colder today, as though they shared the disapproval that hung heavily in the air. I moved purposefully, ignoring the hushed whispers and cold stares. My confrontation with the elder has been bold, but boldness alone couldn't win this battle.

The reality was clear: if truly I wanted to earn my place in this kingdom, I needed to do more than just defend myself. I need to prove my worth—not just to the court but to the people.

I reached the garden seeking solace amongst the vibrant flowers and rustling leaves. It was Kael's mom, the late queen who had nurtured this garden. It reminded me of her legacy, a legacy that is now mine to uphold if I dare claim it.

The breeze carried the distant noises of the marketplace. Then an idea came to me suddenly, an impulse, I couldn't ignore. If the court was determined to paint me as an outsider, I would show them I wasn’t. Not to the people.

I turned and hurried back inside. Lila, ever vigilant, appeared as I stepped in.

"My lady?" She called, her eyes flickering with concern.

"Get me a veil," I said, my voice steady. "I'm going into the city."

Her eyes widened with surprise. "Alone?"

I softened my voice, placing a hand on her ear shoulders. "Not alone. You will come with me. I can't sit down here doing nothing while they decide my fate behind closed doors. I need to see the people. I need to understand them and they also need to see me."

Lila hesitated, then nodded, fetching the veil. Moments later, we slipped out of the palace through a lesser-used gate, the guards offering no more than curious glances.

The marketplace was alive with activity. Merchants called out their wares, children darted between stalls, and the air buzzed with the scents of spices, fresh bread, and the faint tang of metal from the blacksmith’s forge.

I wrapped the veil around my face, observing everything. It was chaotic yet beautiful—a stark contrast to the cold, formal palace.

As I wandered around, I couldn't help but notice the conversation. My name was on everyone's lips.

"They say she's a sorcerer," a woman whispered to her companion as they examined the bolt of fabric together.

"A danger to the kingdom," her companion replied, glancing around as though I would appear.

But not all the whispers are venomous.

"I trust the king's judgment," another man said to his friend. "She must be kind for him to be head over heels for her. And If she wanted to harm us, wouldn’t she have done it already?”

Their words stung and soothed in equal measure. The people didn't know me, not really. But that could change.

I approached a fruit stall, the merchant eyeing me eerily. I pulled out a note from my purse. "Apples."

He hesitated before handing me one, his gaze darting to Lila, whose presence likely marked me as someone of importance.

"Thank you," I said with a smile. "They looked delicious."

He nodded, his expression softening. It was a small victory, but a victory nonetheless.

As we moved deeper into the marketplace, a commotion drew my attention. A young boy stood frozen in front of a toppled cart, its contents—a pile of firewood—scattered across the road. A wheel had broken, and the vendor, an older man, was struggling to fix it.

Without thinking twice, I stepped forward, helping the boy to gather the fallen wood.

"Are you hurt?" I asked gently.

He shook his head, his eyes widened. "No ma'am."

The vendor looked up, his hands pausing as he realized who I was. "Lady Seraphina," he greeted, bowing. "You shouldn't have—"

"I want to help," I interrupted, offering him a reassuring smile. "Do you have a tool to fix the wheel?"

He hesitated, then gestured to a small box nearby. I retrieved it and examined the damage. I worked swiftly, fastening the wheel as best as I could.

When the cart was upright again, the vendor's expression shifted from disbelief to gratitude. "Thank you."

"It’s nothing," I replied, brushing dirt from my skirt. "You do far more for the kingdom than I do."

He looked at me for a long moment, before nodding.

"You are not what they say," he murmured.

Words of the incident spread quickly, by the time I reached the outskirts of the marketplace, the people were already looking at me differently. Some approached hesitantly, offering greetings or asking questions about the palace. Others simply nodded, their skepticism melting into curiosity.

Lila leaned forward as we approached the palace gate and she whispered. "You've done more today than any speech in the court could."

I smiled faintly, though my heart was still heavy. "This is just a start. I'll make sure to give them— the people, elders, and nobles, the benefits of the doubt."

That night as I prepared for bed, Kael entered, his expression a mix of relief and exasperation.

"You went to the city gate," he said closing the door behind him

."Yes, I did."

He came forward, guiding me towards the couch. "What if something had happened to you? Going out without guards can be dangerous."

"But I had to, Kael." I placed a hand over his. "The court may decide laws, but the people shape the kingdom.

If they fear me, I’ll never truly belong here."

He pulled me into an embrace. "You know, you don't need to do too much, right? With or without their approval, I have chosen you."

"I know," I whispered against his chest.

The lingered between us as he held me close to his chest. "Let's get married next month, Sera," he said, his voice soft. "There's no need to delay anymore."

Happiness surged through me as I pulled out from the embrace, glancing at his face. "Really?"

"Yes," he replied with a nod. 

I went back into his arms, our hearts beating rhythmically. Though the path might not be smooth, with Kael by my side, I've got nothing, absolutely nothing to be afraid of.