Chapter 88: A Truth Unveiled**

The palace halls felt colder than usual.

Seraphina’s steps were light, but each one felt heavier than the last.

She had **the Origin Relic**—the very thing she had risked everything for—**pressed against her skin beneath her cloak**, yet she felt no closer to salvation than before.

She could still feel **Cassian’s cold, disappointed gaze** burning into her memory.

*"You betrayed me, Seraphina."*

The words replayed in her mind like a curse.

Cassian had been the one person who had understood her. The one person she thought would **stand by her side** no matter what.

But after what she had done…

He didn’t even want to see her anymore.

She shook the thought away and **tightened her grip on the relic beneath her cloak**.

This wasn’t about **feelings**.

This was about **survival**.

She could feel it—**her lifespan slipping away with every use of magic**.

She had known for a while now.

Every time she healed someone. Every time she used her powers, **her years were cut shorter**.

The **Origin Relic** was supposed to save her. But how?

She had **no idea what to do with it**.

She had expected answers.

Instead, all she had were **more questions**.

A voice **snapped** her out of her thoughts.

“Seraphina.”

She turned to see **Princess Imogen** standing at the end of the corridor, her arms crossed, with **Isabella** beside her.

There was something **off** about their expressions.

Seraphina narrowed her eyes. “What?”

Imogen hesitated, exchanging a look with her sister.

“You… don’t know, do you?” Isabella asked, her tone unreadable.

Seraphina frowned. “Know what?”

Isabella inhaled deeply, almost as if **bracing herself** before she said it.

**“Lucian is married.”**

Seraphina felt her entire body **go still**.

A strange ringing noise filled her ears.

Imogen glanced at Isabella before continuing. **“To Ava.”**

Silence.

The words **didn’t make sense** at first.

Lucian. Married.

To **Ava**.

Seraphina’s fingers tightened around the **fabric of her cloak**, gripping it hard enough to leave wrinkles.

She exhaled slowly, keeping her voice steady.

“You’re serious?”

Imogen nodded. “It happened after… everything.”

Seraphina **forced herself to breathe**.

She shouldn’t care.

It **wasn’t her concern**.

She had **no right** to feel anything about this.

Lucian was a prince. Of course, he was going to marry someone eventually.

She swallowed.

“Well,” she said, **forcing her voice to stay calm**, “I hope they’re happy together.”

Imogen frowned. “You don’t seem surprised.”

Seraphina’s lips twitched in something that almost resembled a **smirk**.

“I don’t get surprised easily.”

She turned to leave.

“Seraphina.” Isabella’s voice was softer now. “Are you okay?”

Seraphina stopped but didn’t look at them.

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

Neither of them answered.

Seraphina **walked away** before they could press further.

She could still feel their gazes on her back.

But she didn’t stop.

Didn’t **let them see the way her fingers trembled slightly** at her sides.

\---

\### **A Confrontation That Couldn’t Wait**

She **wasn’t ready to see him.**

But Lucian **didn’t give her a choice**.

She barely stepped into the **royal gardens** before his voice **rang out behind her**.

“Seraphina.”

She froze.

For a brief second, she considered **walking away**.

Pretending she didn’t hear him.

But she turned.

Lucian stood there, golden eyes locked onto her, **his expression unreadable**.

Seraphina’s gaze flickered downward.

**His left hand.**

A golden **wedding band** rested on his ring finger.

Proof of what the twins had told her.

Proof that Lucian **no longer belonged to himself**.

A strange, bitter taste settled in her mouth.

“You’re married,” she said, her tone disturbingly flat.

Lucian didn’t deny it. “Yes.”

Something **tightened in her chest**.

Something she didn’t **want to name**.

Seraphina **tilted her head slightly**, her expression calm.

“I suppose I should congratulate you, then.”

Lucian’s jaw **tensed**. “Don’t.”

Seraphina raised an eyebrow. “Don’t what?”

“Don’t act like this means nothing.”

A cold, bitter laugh **escaped her lips** before she could stop it.

“Why shouldn’t I?” she asked, her voice light but laced with something dangerous. “It’s **none of my concern**.”

Lucian **took a step closer**.

“You pushed me into that portal, Seraphina,” he said, his voice rough. **“If you hadn’t—”**

He stopped himself.

But she already knew what he meant.

If you hadn’t pushed me, **none of this would have happened**.

Seraphina’s fingers curled into fists.

“You would have **died**,” she said quietly.

Lucian exhaled sharply. “And did you ever stop to think about what you left behind? About what happened after?”

Seraphina forced herself to meet his gaze. “I did what I had to.”

Lucian shook his head. “No. You did what **you** thought was best. But you never gave me a **choice**.”

The words **sliced into her** like a blade.

Seraphina clenched her teeth, keeping her expression neutral.

Lucian’s gaze flickered **to the fabric of her cloak**.

His eyes darkened.

“Where did you get that?”

Seraphina hesitated.

Lucian took a step closer, his voice dangerous. “Seraphina.”

She exhaled.

“I stole it.”

Lucian’s expression **hardened**. “From who?”

Seraphina hesitated.

Lucian’s **eyes sharpened**. “Cassian.”

She nodded.

His voice turned **low and unreadable**. “And?”

Seraphina forced a bitter smile.

“He caught me.”

Lucian’s posture stiffened.

Seraphina looked away.

“He doesn’t want to see me anymore.”

Lucian **stared at her**, something unreadable flashing across his face.

Then, in a **voice quieter than before**, he asked—

**“Are you in love with him?”**

Seraphina’s breath caught.

She **froze**.

The world around them **seemed to still**.

Lucian’s gaze **never wavered**.

He was waiting.

Seraphina **opened her mouth—**

But **no words came out**.

\---