The king's words still echoed through the throne room.
"Speak, Lady Seraphina. What is your request?"
Every gaze in the court seemed to weigh me down. My parents stood behind me, composed and silent. Nobles leaned forward like crows, hungry for scandal.
I smiled softly — polite, poised, just sharp enough to cut. "If Your Majesty truly means what you say… then I wish for another engagement."
A ripple of disbelief spread through the room.
The king's brows furrowed. "Another engagement?"
"Yes, Your Majesty," I said clearly, then turned toward the dais. "To the Crown Prince."
The silence that followed was almost sacred.
Murmurs broke like a tide. Gasps, whispers, a few outright chokes. I didn't have to turn to feel my father stiffen or see my mother's raised brows.
Then I glanced at the Crown Prince.
He was smiling.
Not mockingly, not politely — just quietly, as if he'd been expecting this all along.
[Well, this escalated beautifully,] Nero finally murmured. [And I'm pretty sure His Royal Highness is enjoying this.]
He's smiling, Why is he smiling?
[Because chaos is attractive, host. Especially when it wears a gown.]
The king's voice cut through my thoughts. "Lady Seraphina, you cannot be serious—"
"With respect, Your Majesty," I said smoothly, "you did say 'anything' within your power. I merely took you at your word."
Gasps fluttered through the audience again.
The king frowned. "An engagement to the heir of the throne is no trivial request."
"I understand," I said. "Which is why I'd like to explain why it would be a wise one."
I took a step forward, each word measured. "I am trained in diplomacy and statecraft. I've studied our kingdom's military and political structures in depth. I command strong magic, ranked second among my class at the Royal Academy. My father commands the strongest army in the realm, my family is loyal, and I am acquainted with His Highness already. I can serve the crown faithfully — and effectively."
[You forgot to add: and you have a mean right hook.]
I think that's implied.
The king sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Lady Seraphina, this is highly irregular—"
"I agree," said another voice.
Every head turned.
The Crown Prince rose from his seat, calm and deliberate. He moved down the steps of the dais, each stride unhurried but commanding. His dark hair caught the light, and his golden cloak trailed behind him like sunlight woven into silk.
He stopped before me. Close. Far too close.
"Your Majesty," he said, eyes still fixed on me, "Lady Seraphina makes a sound case. A union between the royal family and House Valemont would strengthen the throne."
The king's jaw tightened. "Elias—"
The prince continued evenly. "She is brilliant, skilled in both diplomacy and battle. Her father's command of the military would fortify our defenses. Her magic alone could rival half the court's battlemages." His gaze softened just slightly. "And she possesses a beauty so rare that none in this hall, nor in the kingdom, could compare."
I blinked, caught off guard.
Did he just say that out loud?
[He absolutely did. And he's enjoying it, too.]
My voice came out quieter than I intended. "Your Highness flatters me."
He stepped closer, just enough for me to feel the air shift. Then he reached out, brushed a strand of hair behind my ear, and said softly, "It's not flattery if it's true."
For one horrifying moment, I forgot how to breathe.
The second prince shot to his feet. "Brother, this is outrageous!"
"Silence," the king snapped.
But Elias — the Crown Prince — didn't flinch. "Lady Seraphina is wasted on petty politics and false accusations. If she seeks to serve the crown, let her do so beside me."
The hall erupted into chaos. Nobles gasped, whispers flew like arrows.
Behind me, my father's fury was practically vibrating in the air. My mother, meanwhile, looked like she was trying very hard not to smile.
[Your dad looks ready to duel the entire royal guard.]
Noted.
The king rubbed a hand over his face. "Elias, we will discuss this privately. You cannot simply—"
"Then consider this my formal proposal," the prince said smoothly.
The king let out a slow, exhausted breath. "Very well. We will discuss it further. For now… I expect the court to keep silent about today's events until I decide otherwise."
He rose, giving his son a long, unreadable look before turning away.
As the guards began ushering people out, the prince inclined his head toward me. "Until next we speak, Lady Seraphina."
I managed a curtsy. "Your Highness."
[Well, congratulations, host. You just got engaged again — this time to someone who actually seems pleased about it.]
I didn't plan this
[No, but fate did. And it has excellent taste.]
I glanced back at my parents.
Dad's expression said how do I un-approve this royal marriage without starting a war?
Mum's said finally, someone with proper cheekbones.
And me?
I was somewhere between mortified and very, very intrigued