“Fool! You took her heart’s blood for that harlot? Her health is fragile–how could you abuse her like this?! Do you even know that it was Guinevere who entangled many of the court officials? If you have any decency, go and bring Seraphina back, and marry her!”
Vince had intended to pursue Seraphina, but at that moment, he was cornered by his father. His gaze grew colder, and his throat tightened with emotion.
“If it weren’t for Seraphina complaining to you, if you hadn’t fought on her behalf and made Gwen take poison, how would she have resorted to offering her heart’s blood? You’ve restrained me since I was young. I’ve never been allowed even the slightest mistake. So why is it that, when it comes to the person I love, to my marriage, I have no say? Why can’t I decide for myself?”
His father paused, his eyes darkening.
The Lady Mother who had remained silent until now, gave a bitter laugh.
“Vince, dare you claim you don’t love Sera? If you didn’t love her, why would you risk your life again and again to save her?”
Vince’s lips parted, but no sound came out.
He did. Loved her enough to carve out his own heart.
Yet their relentless pressure had made him rebel–even against his own soul.
The Lady Mother continued.
“Sera came to say her goodbyes to us yesterday. That kind–hearted, pitiful child. Her only wish before she left was for you to live long and happy, year after year.”
Vince suddenly remembered Seraphina’s farewell words from yesterday. His face stiffened, and after a moment of stunned silence, he spoke.
“But if she truly came to say goodbye, why would she ask for my marriage decree?”
The Lady Mother sighed deeply, her tone filled with regret.
“Read it!”
Vince’s mind went blank as he fumbled for the decree from his chest.
When he read the contents, it was as though he had been struck by lightning. His body shook, and he stood there, frozen.
The words on the paper were in Seraphina’s handwriting, but there was no mention of her name. Instead, she had written “Guinevere.”
Vince suddenly recalled Seraphina’s bitter smile yesterday. She had said that she wanted to fulfill his marriage to Guinevere.
The Lady Mother of the House patted his shoulder.
“Guinevere never took the poison herself. She’d seduced Lord Pembroke—his lady wife retaliated. Gwen sought you as shield. All of this had nothing to do with Sera.”
A deep, indescribable pain surged in Vince’s heart.
Soon, the wife of the official and Guinevere were brought before him.
Lady Pembroke collapsed at his feet.
“Mercy, my lord! I didn’t know the harlot was yours! But it was Guinevere who seduced my husband first, and that’s what made me so angry. Please, my lord, forgive me this once!”
Vince’s face went blank for a moment, as though something inside him had shattered. He looked at Guinevere and said sharply,
“Before you fainted yesterday, what did you say to me?”
