Chapter 599

Chapter 599
Lana stood in front of Seraphim’s chamber doors, hands neatly folded in front of her, posture flawless, expression composed to the point of stillness.
From afar—
Footsteps.
Measured.
Approaching.
Her eyes shifted slightly.
Just enough.
Then—
The crystal in her hand lit.
“Ivanna?” Lana murmured, voice low.
On the other side, Ivanna didn’t bother lowering hers.
“He’s coming.”
Lana’s gaze sharpened.
“…Who.”
“Lord Jaden.”
A beat.
Lana’s composure cracked—
Just slightly.
“What do you mean he’s coming?” she whispered sharply. “You were supposed to stop him.”
“I tried,” Ivanna shot back. “He doesn’t stop. Also—”
A pause.
Lower now.
“…Papa knows.”
Silence.
Lana’s fingers tightened around the crystal.
“…Papa Ivan?”
“Yes.”
Of course.
Lana exhaled slowly, forcing control back into her posture.
“…Understood.”
From the end of the corridor—
A silhouette formed.
Jaden.
Lana straightened fully.
“I’m ending the call,” she said quietly.
The crystal dimmed.
Gone.
By the time Jaden reached her—
She was already perfect again.
“My lord.”
Jaden stopped in front of her.
His gaze moved once—
To the door.
Then back to her.
“Where is she.”
Lana didn’t hesitate.
“She is getting ready.”
A pause.
“She is thirty minutes late,” Jaden replied.
Lana’s chin lifted slightly.
“She is a girl.”
Jaden’s eyes narrowed just a fraction.
“And you,” he said calmly, “are lying.”
Silence.
“Both of you,” he added.
A step closer.
“She’s not inside, is she.”
Lana held his gaze.
Steady.
Unshaken.
“She is,” she said.
A beat.
“…getting ready.”
Jaden looked at her for a long second.
Then—
“Move.”
Lana didn’t.
“She is a girl,” she repeated, quieter now, but firmer. “She requires privacy.”
Jaden’s expression didn’t change.
“She is my daughter.”
A pause.
“And I will not have her miss her own coronation.”
Lana stepped slightly to the side—
Still blocking.
“My lord—”
“Lana.”
Her name.
Not raised.
Not harsh.
Final.
Lana froze.
Then—
Slowly—
She stepped aside.
Jaden didn’t hesitate.
He opened the door.
Inside—
Steam.
Soft light.
The scent of something sweet in the air.
And—
Seraphim.
Wrapped in a towel, hair damp, turning sharply toward the door.
“Father—!”
Jaden stopped immediately.
Just as fast.
“…Apologies.”
A beat.
Then—
“Why are you taking so long.”
Seraphim blinked once.
Then straightened slightly, recovering fast.
“I was bathing,” she said, tone almost offended. “Milk and honey.”
A pause.
Jaden looked at her.
Measured.
Then exhaled.
“…Fine.”
He stepped back.
“You have ten minutes.”
Seraphim nodded immediately.
“Yes, father.”
Jaden closed the door behind him.
Silence settled again.
Lana stood outside.
Still.
Perfect.
Then—
A small nod.
Silence lingered for half a second.
Then—
Lana moved.
She stepped inside and shut the doors properly this time, ensuring they locked with a quiet, precise click.
Her eyes went straight to Seraphim.
Sharp.
Assessing.
“You weren’t here,” Lana said.
Not a question.
Seraphim didn’t even look guilty.
She was already moving across the room, fingers working calmly at the fastening of her inner tunic, damp strands of hair clinging lightly to her neck.
“No,” she replied simply. “I returned when I could.”
A pause.
Then, almost casually—
“I was still at the temple.”
Lana exhaled slowly, stepping closer.
“You were almost discovered.”
Her hands moved to help, catching the zipper of Seraphim’s dress with practiced ease, pulling it up smoothly along her back.
“A few seconds more,” Lana added, quieter now, “and my sister and I would be explaining your absence to the Crown.”
Seraphim smiled.
Not apologetic.
Not worried.
“You would have handled it.”
Lana’s hands stilled for a fraction of a second.
“That is not the point.”
But she finished adjusting the dress anyway.
Seraphim turned slightly, allowing her.
“Everything is prepared?” she asked.
“Yes.”
“And the hall?”
“Full.”
Seraphim nodded once.
Satisfied.
Then Lana stepped back—
And for the first time—
Really looked at her.
Seraphim was dressed for a coronation.
Not excessive.
Not heavy.
Intentional.
A long, structured gown in deep ivory, layered with subtle silver embroidery that traced down the fabric like quiet veins of light. The design followed her frame without restricting it, elegant but not fragile.
Her shoulders were partially bare, the sleeves falling just enough to reveal the strength beneath the softness. At her waist, a thin belt of worked silver rested, delicate but unmistakably royal.
Her hair, still slightly damp, had been gathered and braided loosely back, allowing strands to fall naturally around her face—softening nothing, only framing it.
And beneath it all—
The presence.
Not loud.
Not forced.
But undeniable.
Seraphim adjusted one of the cuffs, then glanced at Lana.
“Too much?”
Lana’s expression didn’t change.
“No.”
A pause.
“It is appropriate.”
Seraphim hummed lightly, satisfied.
Then she stepped forward.
Lana moved with her immediately—
Two steps behind.
Exactly where she belonged.
The doors opened.
And Seraphim walked out—
Not rushing.
Not hesitating.
Exactly on time.
They hadn’t reached the entrance yet when he stepped into her path.
Not rushed.
Not accidental.
Deliberate.
Darien Sol.
Seraphim slowed.
Just enough.
“You left your place,” she said.
"You weren’t there,” he replied.
“That doesn’t justify it.”
“It does.”
A pause.
His gaze moved over her—slow, attentive, unapologetic.
“…You look beautiful,” he said.
No teasing.
No game.
Seraphim held his gaze.
“I know.”
That earned a quiet smile.
Behind her-
Lana stepped forward, posture immaculate, chin lifted with quiet authority.
“You have delayed her enough,” she said calmly. “If Lord Jaden returns, this will become inconvenient for everyone involved.”
Darien glanced at her.
Paused.
Then tilted his head slightly.
“…That tone.”
Lana didn’t blink.
“Is appropriate.”
“No,” he said lightly. “It’s familiar.”
A beat.
“You sound exactly like Sir Ivan.”
Seraphim’s lips twitched.
“…She does.”
Lana lifted her chin a fraction higher.
“I was raised correctly.”
Darien hummed.
“I’m sure you were.”
A small pause.
Then—casual. Too casual.
“Does he also know you sneak out to meet my brother?”
Silence.
Seraphim blinked.
“…What.”
Lana didn’t move.
Not a single muscle.
“I do not know what you are referring to.”
Darien looked at her.
Unimpressed.
“You’re better at discipline than denial.”
Seraphim slowly turned her head.
“…Lana.”
Lana spoke over her immediately.
“What matters right now is that Lord Jaden is already suspicious, and if he finds you both here—”
“That wasn’t a denial,” Darien cut in.
“It was a dismissal.”
“Of the truth?”
“Of irrelevance.”
Darien let out a quiet breath, almost amused.
“…You really are his daughter.”
Seraphim was staring now.
Fully invested.
“…His brother?” she asked slowly.
Lana didn’t even look at her.
“You are about to be crowned,” she said instead. “Try behaving like it.”
That confirmed everything.
Seraphim’s smile crept in—
Slow.
Dangerous.
“…We’re discussing this later.”
Lana ignored her.
Completely.
Darien looked between them, entertained.
“…I should go before I get reported to your father.”
“That would be wise,” Lana replied immediately.
He leaned in—
Closer.
Softer now.
“I’ll see you inside,” he murmured to Seraphim.
Then he kissed her cheek.
Not hidden.
Not rushed.
Seraphim caught his sleeve for just a second.
“Don’t be late.”
“I won’t.”
He pulled away—
Gave Lana one last look.
“…Try not to get caught.”
“I won’t,” she replied smoothly.
He smiled—
Then turned and walked toward the hall.
Silence.
Seraphim turned slowly.
“…His brother.”
Lana adjusted her sleeve.
Perfect.
Untouched.
“We are late.”
That was not an answer.
Seraphim smiled wider.
“Oh, we’re definitely talking about this.”
Lana stepped forward.
“You may try.”
And just like that—
They kept walking.