Chronicles of the Forsaken

The weight of the dagger in Seraphina's palm felt heavier than it should. It was more than just a weapon—it was a choice. A symbol of the path she was about to walk, one she could never turn back from. The Seraphina Valemont from her past life, the girl who had merely read stories of war and power, was dead. In her place stood a woman who had no choice but to become the villain her family feared.

Caius watched her closely, his violet eyes gleaming with interest. "I expected hesitation," he remarked, tilting his head slightly. "A moment of doubt. But you seem… determined."

Seraphina met his gaze with cold resolve. "What would hesitation get me? Mercy? That's never been an option for people like me."

A flicker of amusement crossed his face. "Good. Then let's test that resolve, shall we?"

Before she could respond, he moved faster than she expected. In a blur of motion, he closed the space between them, his own dagger flashing toward her throat. Instinct kicked in, and she barely managed to lift her weapon in time, metal clashing against metal. The impact jarred her arms, and she stumbled back, heart pounding.

"What the hell?" she hissed, regaining her footing.

Caius grinned, his expression one of pure enjoyment. "You didn't think this war would be won with just words, did you?" He lunged again, his movements fluid and effortless. "If you want to survive, Princess, you'll need to fight for it."

Seraphina barely dodged his next strike. He wasn't holding back, and that realization sent a sharp spike of fear through her. This wasn't a training session with dull swords or a controlled sparring match. This was a lesson. A brutal, unforgiving one.

She gritted her teeth, tightening her grip on the dagger. If he wanted her to fight, then she would fight. She lunged, aiming for an opening near his ribs, but he sidestepped effortlessly, knocking her off balance. She barely managed to recover before his blade was at her throat again.

He leaned in, his breath warm against her skin. "You hesitate," he murmured. "That's going to get you killed."

Seraphina's jaw clenched. Damn him. Damn his arrogance.

Without thinking, she slammed her knee into his stomach, throwing him off just enough for her to twist out of his grip. The moment she was free, she spun, aiming her dagger toward his shoulder. He dodged, but just barely. A thin line of crimson appeared where her blade had grazed his skin.

Caius stilled, then let out a low chuckle. "There it is," he said, stepping back and sheathing his dagger. "The fire."

Seraphina was breathing hard, her entire body tense. "What the hell was that for?"

"You needed a reminder," he said smoothly. "Words won't keep you alive. Power will."

She wiped her wrist across her forehead, scowling. "I don't need you to lecture me on survival."

"Maybe not." He turned toward the table, picking up the scroll with the Emperor's decree. "But if you're serious about this—about standing against the Valemonts—then you're going to need to prove it."

Seraphina narrowed her eyes. "And how exactly do I do that?"

Caius's smirk returned, but this time, it was sharper. Colder.

"There's a nobleman in the capital," he said. "A snake who's been feeding information to your father. He knows where you are, and soon, the Emperor's hounds will come sniffing this way."

Seraphina crossed her arms. "Let me guess. You want me to silence him."

"Oh no, Princess," Caius said, his voice dripping with amusement. "I want you to destroy him. Make the kingdom remember your name."

A chill ran down her spine.

This was it. The first true test. If she accepted, there would be no turning back. She would not just be an outcast—she would be a threat. A force of destruction.

Seraphina lifted the dagger in her hand, staring at the dark metal, at the reflection of the woman she was becoming.

If they wanted a villainess… then a villainess they would get.

The Mission Begins

The night air was thick with the scent of rain-soaked earth as Seraphina rode through the dense forest, her hood pulled low over her face. The city gates loomed in the distance, their towering iron bars glistening under the pale moonlight. The nobleman, Lord Sebastian Aurelian, was hosting a gathering tonight—an extravagant affair filled with the kingdom's most influential figures.

A perfect hunting ground.

Her fingers tightened around the reins as her thoughts raced. This would be her first step into the abyss, her first act of rebellion. Her father had painted her as a villain; now, she would give him something to fear.

Caius's words echoed in her mind. Make the kingdom remember your name.

The plan was simple. Get inside. Isolate Lord Sebastian. End him. But there was a problem—she had never taken a life before. The idea of plunging a dagger into someone's throat, of feeling the warmth of blood on her hands, sent a shiver down her spine.

Would she be able to do it?

She forced the doubt aside. This wasn't about morality. It was about survival. If she hesitated, if she faltered, then she would be the one lying in a pool of blood.

The city walls loomed closer, and Seraphina exhaled slowly, steeling herself. The hunt was about to begin.

And by dawn, the kingdom would whisper her name in fear.