A Warm Solace in Winter's Frost

Everyone knew that the crown prince, Mathias Cavendish, was a handsome man with a calm and composed demeanor. He was a dream suitor for every woman of marriageable age in the city. However, no one knew how wild he was with Seraphina Montclair when his body pressed against hers every night and he thrust hard into her in all sorts of positions in bed. On the 1,001st night he met her through the secret passage, Seraphina lay weakly in the messy sheets, feeling sore all over. Mathias looked down at her after being fully satisfied, and she finally worked up the courage to say, "Your Highness will be marrying my older sister at the end of the month…" Her fingers clenched the corner of the covers as she said almost inaudibly, "Would you be willing to give me a place by your side on the same day?" Mathias was wearing his clothes when he suddenly paused. "No." He turned to look at her, his cold yet handsome face lit up under the flickering candlelight. "I promised Cordelia that she would be the only woman by my side. Your presence shall never be known to her." Seraphina turned pale instantly. "What would that make me?" Chapter 1 Seraphina Montclair's voice was trembling. "Is this what I mean to you? A quiet shadow meant only for the dark?" "What else could you be to me?" Mathias Cavendish looked at her with a small smile, but the look in his eyes was chilling, as if he was ridiculing her for not knowing her place. "What more do you want, Seraphina?" Mathias leaned over her, brushing his thumb gently over her lips. "I've told you before that Cordelia is the only woman I love, but I do enjoy your body immensely. I can give you anything except my love and a legitimate place by my side. "We'll still see each other and meet through the secret passage after Cordelia and I are married." His tone suddenly turned cold. "Remember that Cordelia can never know about us. If she gets her heart broken after finding out about us, you'll pay the price for it." Seraphina was stunned. It had never dawned upon her that Mathias never planned to marry her and that she was nothing but a secret plaything to him, never to be seen in the light. She trembled as she watched him leave, memories of their past racing in her mind. Seraphina was from the House of Montclair, but she was the daughter of a mistress. On the other hand, Cordelia Montclair was the pristine and noble daughter of the house. They were meant to be stark contrasts of each other from birth. Cordelia's clothes were made of the most expensive materials, and her accessories were equally exquisite. When it came to education, even her teachers praised her for her brightness. As for Seraphina, she was always living in her older sister's shadow. She wore Cordelia's unwanted clothes, and everything she owned was ordinary. Even Mathias, the crown prince coveted by every woman of marriageable age, had eyes only for Cordelia. Seraphina remembered how Mathias had made a promise in front of gathered nobles during the seasonal gala three years ago. "Cordelia Montclair will be my only wife, and I swear there will be no other woman for me but her." It was a grand occasion, and to this day, the people of Caventon still speak fondly of their love story. That was until one stormy night when Mathias was drugged with an aphrodisiac, and in a heated moment, he mistook Seraphina for Cordelia and took her virginity. Seraphina thought she would be sentenced to death the next day, but that fateful night evoked something within the aloof Mathias, and he became obsessed with her. He even went as far as to build a secret passage to summon Seraphina into his chambers every night. For the past three years, Mathias would ravage her body almost every night except for the days when she had her menstruation. Seraphina had seen a side of Mathias not many had seen before. He was cold and aloof, distant with everyone around him. However, when he was on top of her, he would pant uncontrollably, pressing down on her as he went wild on her body. Seraphina always thought such intimacy between them meant that Mathias felt something for her… "Ms. Montclair, it's time for your medicine." The palace matron, Aimee Hudson, entered the room with a bowl of herbal infusion, interrupting Seraphina's thoughts. Seraphina took the bowl from Aimee with trembling hands, and the scent of the bitter medicine filled her mouth and nostrils, making it difficult for her to consume it. Outside the door, a palace maid kept hurrying them. "Hurry up, Ms. Hudson. It's almost past the best time for Ms. Montclair for prevention of con…" Before she could finish, Aimee reprimanded her sternly, "Quiet!" Seraphina's hand quivered, and the bowl fell with a clang to the ground. "It's for the prevention of conception?" Her voice was trembling as she heard the words in disbelief. "I've been taking herbal infusions to prevent conception all this time?" Aimee looked at her grimly. "This is at the request of His Highness." It felt like a knife to Seraphina's heart. Mathias had never wanted her to get pregnant, yet she had been silly enough to think that the herbal infusion was to help with impregnating her. She laughed self-deprecatingly and then gulped the new concoction in one swallow. It was extremely bitter, but not as bitter as how she was feeling. Seraphina remained in a daze all the way back to Montclair House via the secret passage. "Come here, Seraphina." Her mother, Mireille Brown, called out to her with great delight. "General Sterling has sent word from the borders to ask for your hand in marriage!" She held Seraphina's hand. "You're the daughter of a mistress, and your status cannot compare to Lady Cordelia's. General Sterling might be far away at the borders, but he is a good-looking man with a noble character, and this is the best marriage proposal I can seek for you." Seraphina looked up and, for the first time, noticed her mother's hair turning gray. It saddened her. For years, she had been waiting for Mathias to propose to her officially and had declined many marriage proposals, which had worried her mother immensely. "All right, Mother," she replied softly. "I'll marry him." Mireille was overjoyed. "That's wonderful! I'm glad you've finally thought things through!" She quickly stood up, as if afraid Seraphina would go back on her word. "I'll inform the House of Sterling right away. Lady Cordelia will be marrying the crown prince in two weeks. We should set your wedding on the same day. It'll be double the joy!" Seraphina lowered her eyes in agreement, and she got up to walk Mireille out. When she came back, chests of gifts arrived from the crown prince as his palace servants brought them in one after the other. "His Highness really dotes on Lady Cordelia!" "Look at that fine silk from Nordlam! I heard His Highness imported it specially for Lady Cordelia to be used for her wedding dress!" "He said that Lady Cordelia deserved the best!" Every word sounded hurtful to Seraphina. She wanted to return to her room, but Seraphina accidentally stepped on someone. Cordelia screamed and slapped her. "Don't you have eyes?! You've dirtied my shoes! They are special satin shoes His Highness just delivered to me!" Seraphina apologized right away, "Please forgive me, Cordelia. I didn't step on you on purpose…" "What's the point of apologizing?" Cordelia said haughtily, "You're just a lowly daughter of a mistress who is just as unpresentable as your mother!" Every hurtful comment that Seraphina had quietly digested bubbled to the surface, and for the first time, she retaliated. "Please be careful with your words! You may vent at me, but please do not bring my mother into this!" There was silence all around. Cordelia did not give Seraphina more trouble, but a strange expression appeared on her face. Seraphina turned to look in the direction Cordelia was staring at. Mathias was standing in the corridor with a cold look in his eyes. He swept a glance at Seraphina as if she were a stranger, then walked straight toward Cordelia. Mathias held her slightly cool hands in his, and he gently blew on them to warm them up. "Why are you standing outside when it's such a cold day?" Cordelia was relieved that Mathias did not lose his temper because of her arrogant behavior, and she replied coquettishly, "Your Highness, I was just lecturing Seraphina for stepping on my new shoes, but she talked back at me instead. How infuriating." She even stomped unhappily while speaking. "If that's the way she's choosing to behave, why waste time talking to her?" Mathias' tone was calm as he finally glanced at Seraphina. "You should kneel for four hours for disrespecting your elder sister and allowing your tongue to run loose." Cordelia broke out into a beautiful smile as she circled her hands intimately around Mathias' arm. "You've always been the best, Your Highness!" She threw a Seraphina a gleeful glance and left happily while pulling Mathias along with her. The freezing breeze gushed as Seraphina knelt in the cold, and her thin clothes became wet from the melting snow. The chilling air crept from Seraphina's knees and spread throughout her body, but the cold was nothing compared to the chill in her heart. Four hours later, her personal maid, Lottie, came to her while brimming with tears. She helped her up. "Get up, Ms. Montclair. Your knees will get damaged if you continue kneeling in this freezing weather!" Seraphina's knees had lost all senses, and she was only able to stand with Lottie's help. Lottie massaged her knees while choking back a sob. "How unfair life is to you. Lady Cordelia is given everything good in life because she's the legitimate daughter, and even His Highness…" "Stop, Lottie." Seraphina interrupted her gently in a hoarse voice. "But what have you ever done wrong, Ms. Montclair?" Lottie started crying. "His Highness saw that Lady Cordelia raised her hand at you first, but he still insists on punishing you. How unfair…" Seraphina looked in the direction of Mathias' chambers, and suddenly laughed. It was a sorrowful laughter that was so sad, it stopped Lottie from crying. Lottie was right about Seraphina being in an unfair situation, but she no longer wanted to fight for anything. All Seraphina wanted was for her wedding to arrive as soon as possible so that she could leave the city of Caventon and never return. Chapter 2 Seraphina returned to her room and started taking out every piece of jewelry Mathias had bequeathed her. She planned to sell them and give Mireille the earnings she gained from them. Every piece of jewelry was exquisite, and he had put them on her hair or on her wrist personally whenever he gifted them to her. Now, however, they felt like needles piercing into her fingers so hard that it hurt immensely. The next day, she left the house with the box of jewelry but unexpectedly met Cordelia. "Stop right there!" Cordelia spotted the box in her hands right away and immediately looked wary. "What's that in your hands?" Before Seraphina could reply, Cordelia opened the box, and her expression turned grim at the sight of the jewelry inside. "How dare you steal my jewelry, Seraphina!" Cordelia started screaming as she grabbed Seraphina's wrist. "Take her to the family chapel!" "I didn't steal anything!" Seraphina tried to explain, "These are my personal belongings!" Cordelia refused to listen and instructed the maids to drag Seraphina into the chapel. It was not long before the entire family was alerted. "Father!" Cordelia pointed at the box of jewelry and said shrilly, "This jewelry was bequeathed by the royal family. How can an illegitimate daughter have possession of them? It's clear that she has stolen what belongs to me!" Alistair Montclair, the Duke of the House of Montclair, looked at the box of jewelry grimly. "Where did you get these, Seraphina?" "Please, Father," Seraphina curtsied and said in a trembling voice. "These belong to me. I promise you that I didn't steal them." "She's lying!" Cordelia sneered and ordered the maids to bring over several brocade boxes. "Look. His Highness gave these to me. They are the exact jewelry you see in her box!" Seraphina started trembling. She knew why they were the same. It was because Mathias had made two of every item. One was for Cordelia, while the other was given to Seraphina in secret. "Are you still refusing to admit to the crime?" Cordelia looked at her reproachfully. "According to the rules of the House, thieves will have their limbs broken and evicted from the family!" Seraphina kept trembling, unable to reveal the truth about where she had obtained the jewelry. All she could do was repeat, "I didn't steal them…" "Invite His Highness here," Cordelia said loudly. "He will be able to identify if what you have is from the palace!" Seraphina turned pale. She could not imagine what would happen if Mathias were here, but she had no power to put a stop to this. It was not long before Mathias appeared, dressed in white. He was handsome, looking just like an angel from heaven, but his expression was cold. "Your Highness," Cordelia wrapped her hands around his arm intimately. "Take a look at this. Are all of these from the palace?" Mathias swept a glance at all the jewelry scattered on the ground and nodded. "Yes, they're from the palace." "Seraphina!" Cordelia turned to look at her with anger. "What do you have to say now that all the evidence is against you?" All Seraphina could do was fall to her knees on the cold ground and look up at Mathias. Those eyes that used to look at her with passion were now cold as ice. She wanted to say something, but nothing came out of her mouth. All she could do was look at him pleadingly. All it would take was one word from him to save her… Mathias glanced at her nonchalantly and looked away, acting as if she were just an unimportant stranger. Cordelia continued asking, "Your Highness, have you ever bequeathed any of these to Seraphina?" Mathias replied coldly, "No." His answer was like a sharp knife through Seraphina's heart. She felt a chill all over as she finally understood Mathias did not care if she lived or died as long as Cordelia was not hurt. Chapter 3 "Father!" Cordelia said aloud. "Please punish her according to the rules of the House!" Alistair was about to give the orders when Mathias suddenly said, "Wait." Everyone in the family chapel turned silent and looked at him. "It's bad luck to see blood before the wedding," Mathias said calmly. "Those are just mere jewelry. You may treat it as a gift to the women of the family from me." Mathias was giving Alistair a chance to let this go. "You should thank His Highness for his generosity." Seraphina bowed robotically to thank Mathias. "Thank you for your grace, Your Highness." "No!" Cordelia refused to let this go. "We can't go against the rules of the House. She should at least be whipped 30 times as a warning to others!" Mathias looked at Cordelia with adoration and said, "If that's what you wish, so be it." With that, he turned to leave without another word. Seraphina was forced to kneel as she was whipped in the back. When the first whip came down, she bit hard on her lip as she felt the burning sensation on her back, stubbornly refusing to utter any cries of pain. As the second whip came down on her, her clothes ripped from where the whip landed. Seraphina clutched her sleeves, digging her nails deep into her palms. "Five, six, seven…" Seraphina's back was covered in chilling flesh wounds with blood all over them after suffering whip after whip. The blood from her back dripped to the ground, forming into a pool. She had become numb from the pain, and all she felt was cold. She tried her best to open her eyes and saw Mathias' blurry figure covering Cordelia's eyes. "Don't look." His gentle voice sounded sharp to her ear. "You'll have nightmares." When the last whip landed on her back, Seraphina finally gave out. She fell unconscious to the ground. When she woke up, her wounds had been bandaged, but it was done badly. She got up with difficulty and saw the two boxes of jewelry that caused the uproar at the end of her bed. There were two extra boxes next to them. "His Highness sent them over, Ms. Montclair," a maid informed her after choosing her words carefully. "The boxes contain many high-quality medicines for your wounds as well." Seraphina looked at the shiny jewelry and said hoarsely, "I don't want them. You may return all of them." The maid hesitated before saying in a low voice, "His Highness knows that you're hurt and got the royal physician to take a look at your wounds. He has asked that you visit his chambers for the treatment." "No need." Seraphina shook her head. "It's difficult for me to move right now, so I'll have to decline the offer. Such exquisite items that belong to high society are not for an illegitimate daughter like me to enjoy." The maid tried to convince Seraphina otherwise, but Seraphina was determined, and she had no choice but to sigh and leave with all the boxes. Seraphina stayed in her room to recuperate for the next few days. When it was late at night, she would hear light movement in the secret passage, and she knew it was Mathias waiting for her. Even so, she pretended not to hear anything and ignored it. This continued until Seraphina heard that Mireille had gotten sick. She forced herself to get out of bed to pray for her mother in a church outside the city, but after she was done praying, she unexpectedly bumped into Mathias and Cordelia under the tree outside the church. "You're both a match made in heaven, and I'm sure you'll grow old together," a clergyman from the church gave them his blessing as he handed them a blessed rosary. Cordelia leaned against Mathias' shoulder shyly as Mathias placed the rosary in her hand. Serahina turned to leave quietly, but when she got to the stairs of the church, someone grabbed her by the wrist. She looked up and met Mathias' deep eyes. "Why didn't you come the last few days?" He spoke unhappily in a whisper. "Are you throwing a tantrum with me?" Chapter 4 Seraphina laughed bitterly as she pulled her hand away. "Your Highness must be joking. I would never dare go against the word of royalty." However, Mathias' grip on her got stronger. "Come over tonight." "My mother is seriously ill. I need to stay by her bedside." "Tomorrow," he said firmly. "I need to make sure my mother takes her medicine tomorrow." "The day after tomorrow." "I'm seeing the physician…" "Seraphina!" Mathias finally lost his temper as he pulled her closer to him. "When will you stop your tantrum?" The breeze gusted by as her hair danced in the wind. Seraphina looked up at him with calmness in her eyes. "I'm not throwing any tantrums." Mathias stared at her for a while before suddenly sniggering. "All right. I'll deal with our relationship after my wedding to Cordelia." He turned to leave after that as his white cloak fluttered in the wind. Seraphina watched as he left, saying softly, "You don't need to anymore." She would be married to the borders, far from Caventon, on the day of his wedding. They would never see each other again. Seraphina pulled herself together and was about to leave when Cordelia suddenly appeared, blocking her way. "What did His Highness want with you?" She looked at Seraphina suspiciously, but all Seraphina did was lower her eyes and reply softly, "His Highness said he wanted to surprise you on your upcoming birthday and asked me for my opinion." Cordelia smiled widely as she touched her hair ornament. "His Highness has always treated me very well. He even ordered luminous pearls to decorate my veil…" She kept chattering about how much Mathias doted on her as Seraphina listened quietly, feeling numb about everything. That was when they heard a galloping horse running toward them. The horse suddenly ran up the path and came straight toward them. "Look out!" Mathias lunged forward in an instant to grab Cordelia in an embrace, rolling to the side of the path, but the horse crashed into Seraphina. She was thrown into the air before she rolled down the stone steps. Seraphina was lying below the steps with broken bones, hardly able to breathe from the pain. Blood dripped down the side of her head and into her eyes, blurring her vision. She looked up with difficulty and saw Mathias looking at her worriedly. It looked like he was about to ask his men to check on Seraphina when Cordelia exclaimed. "Your Highness…" She suddenly fell into his arms weakly. "I'm feeling dizzy…" "Cordelia!" Mathias quickly carried her in his arms and ran off without looking back. Before he left, he instructed hurriedly, "Check on her." Seraphina watched them disappear around the corner as she tried to stand up through gritted teeth. She rejected the help of one of Mathias' guards and walked back on her own while in pain. It was a winding path back, and she stopped often to rest from the pain. By the time she returned home, the sky had turned dark. Mireille had been waiting at the door, and she was shocked to see Seraphina return with blood all over her clothes. "Seraphina! What happened to you? Who did this to you? Was it Lady Cordelia?" Mireille's hand was trembling as she caressed the wound on Seraphina's face. "My poor daughter. We should postpone the wedding and wait until your wounds have healed before you get married. Wait while I discuss this matter with The House of Sterling." "No…" Seraphina shook her head weakly. "I want to get married on that day…" Before she could finish her words, a galloping horse was heard outside. Mathias had arrived with Cordelia and heard their conversation. He pulled on the reins and asked coldly with a frown, "Who is getting married?" Chapter 5 Mathias' voice was cold as ice, and it scared Mireille so much that she trembled while trying to pull Seraphina along with her to kneel. Seraphina tolerated the pain as she knelt with her mother and quickly said, "My mother and I were talking about Cordelia's wedding." Mathias frowned as he swept glances at Mireille and Seraphina, but he did not ask any more questions as he carried Cordelia in his arms and headed to her room. Mireille quickly helped Seraphina to her room. She carefully cleaned Seraphina's wounds under the candlelight while tears streamed down her face. "Do you hate me, Seraphina?" She sobbed. "I'm forcing you to marry so far away…" Seraphina shook her head. "Why would I hate you? I accepted this marriage proposal willingly." "Really?" Mireille's hand paused. "Can you really forget about that man?" Seraphina froze. She remembered how she had told Mireille three years ago that she was in love with a man who had promised to marry her. Mireille had believed her then and relented when Seraphina kept pushing away any idea of marriage. Seraphina forced a smile. "Mother, what man are you talking about? I made that lie up." The medicine almost fell from Mireille's hand. "What?" "I lied to you because I wanted a few more years with you." Seraphina looked down, afraid to meet her mother's eyes. "Don't take it seriously." The candlelight flickered in the night, shining its light on Mireille's tear-streaked face. She caressed her daughter's face with trembling hands. "You silly child. It doesn't matter if you were lying or telling the truth. It's all in the past now." "You're right. It's all in the past now." Seraphina nodded and continued with a sigh, "It's time to wake up from my dream." Mireille held Seraphina in her arms and patted her back just as she did for Seraphina when she was young. "When you arrive at the borders, focus on your new life. General Sterling is a good man who will take good care of you." Seraphina leaned her head on Mireille's shoulders as she nodded gently. The Seraphina who only had eyes for Mathias was completely 'dead'. From now on, she would be the wife of General Sterling at the border and would no longer have anything to do with Caventon or Mathias. After that day, Seraphina kept herself busy at home to prepare for her upcoming wedding. However, Princess Aurelia, the ninth princess, was hosting a winter garden party, and she had extended an invitation to the womenfolk of the House of Montclair, which meant Seraphina had to attend as well. There was laughter everywhere in the royal garden. The moment Seraphina arrived, she saw Mathias heading toward the garden while holding Cordelia's hand. He was dressed in dark blue and looked handsome yet aloof. Cordelia was wearing a bright red cape and looked ravishing in the garden of white. "His Highness treats Lady Cordelia with such care." The ladies around Seraphina started whispering amongst themselves. "I heard that His Highness personally helped Lady Cordelia put on her hair ornaments." "They're close because they grew up together. What an envious sight they are." "His Highness' love story will become legendary if they continue being in love as they grow old together." Seraphina lowered her head to sip her tea. It was warm, but it could not warm her cold fingers." "Oh, stop it…" Cordelia suddenly said shyly as she blushed and stood up. "I'm heading off to admire the flowers!" Mathias quickly took off his coat to put it on her. When he leaned over, an exquisite scented bag fell out of his pocket with a clatter. Aurelia was sharp-eyed enough to spot it and picked the bag up. "This embroidery must be Cordelia's work." She smiled and teased, "Mathias must love it a lot if he brings it with him everywhere." Seraphina almost dropped her cup. The scented bag was a gift from her to Mathias three years ago, and there was a small picture of her inside. Mathias had rejected every gift she gave him except for this scented bag, and it was his acceptance of the bag that made her think that he had feelings for her. "What's inside the bag, Mathias? Let me have a look!" Aurelia opened the bag enthusiastically. Seraphina stood up right away and said in a trembling voice, "Don't!" Everyone turned to look at her questioningly, and Seraphina realized that she had lost her composure. She quickly said, "I heard that one shouldn't open such bags or the loving couple would have a falling out." She stared at the scented bag intensely. That picture of her could not be exposed to the public… "That's just superstition!" Aurelia pouted. "My brother and Cordelia are a match made in heaven, and they're engaged. Even the gods can't break them apart." Seraphina looked pleadingly at Mathias, but he looked indifferent, as if this had nothing to do with him. Seraphina could only close her eyes in despair as the scented bag was opened. Chapter 6 When Seraphina opened her eyes again, she saw that the picture in Aurelia's hand was of Cordelia. "Do you bring Cordelia's picture with you wherever you go, Mathias?" Aurelia was surprised. "You must really love her a lot!" Mathias smiled. "Of course. It's a cure for me missing Cordelia when I don't see her." His words only made everyone even more envious of the love between Mathias and Cordelia. However, a young lady asked, "This embroidery work doesn't seem to be from the hand of Lady Cordelia." Mathias replied, "I didn't want Cordelia to labor at things like this, and I was worried about her hand getting hurt from this, so I hired a seamstress to make it." Seraphina's heart fell to her stomach. Mathias had accepted her scented bag because he had treated her as a seamstress, not because he had feelings for her. That was why he got rid of her picture and swapped it for Cordelia's. Aurelia smiled, but then turned to look at Seraphina reproachfully. "Mathias and Cordelia are in love and were made for each other. They can't be broken up so easily. Do you believe in the strength of their love now, Ms. Seraphina?" Seraphina lowered her eyes and replied, "Yes, I do. His Highness and Lady Cordelia's love for each other is strong, and they deserve to be with each other for the rest of their lives." Mahias frowned and glanced at her thoughtfully, but he said nothing. He held Cordelia's hand and turned to leave with the scented bag in his hand. When Seraphina returned home, she found a master builder she trusted to seal the secret passage. The bricks covered the entrance one by one, burying everything that had happened there in the past three years. "It's done, Ms. Montclair," the master builder said in a low voice. Seraphina nodded as she stared at the stone wall that had been rebuilt, thinking that Mathias would not care about such a small matter as he was busy with his upcoming wedding. However, someone suddenly opened her room door late at night the next day when she was just about to go to bed. Mathias was standing outside the door, dressed in black. There was anger in his eyes as he questioned her coldly, "Why did you seal the secret passage?" Seraphina's heart skipped a beat, but she forced herself to calm down. "My family almost discovered the secret passage, and I know how worried Your Highness is about Cordelia finding out about us. So, I sealed it before it was discovered." Mathias' expression softened. "You did the right thing. I'll find another mansion and figure out a way to move you there. Wait for me." Seraphina felt bitterness in her heart when she heard his words. She could not understand why he would go through so much trouble and refuse to let her go. She could not help asking. "You're about to be married to Cordelia. Why do you refuse to let me go seek a marriage for my own?" Mathias did not expect this question from her, and he was silent for a moment before replying, "You've lost your chastity to me, Seraphina. I will bear responsibility for that." "Bear responsibility?" Seraphina laughed sadly. "Do you plan to do that by letting me live a life in the shadows, without the right to bear a child of my own?" Mathias stared at her, aware that she had found out about the herbal infusion to prevent her pregnancy. "Allowing you to stay by my side is the extent of what I can give you. You shouldn't cross the line by asking for more. My child is of the royal bloodline, and only Cordelia will have that child. Why must you be greedy when I'm offering you a life of luxury?" His tone turned cold. "Be a good girl and stop making a fuss. I won't allow you to marry another." Mathias' words were sharp, and Seraphina's heart was cut into bloody pieces by them. She wanted him to know that she no longer wanted anything to do with him, but the sound of hurried footsteps was suddenly heard from outside the door. "Your Highness! Lady Cordelia fainted in her room!" Mathias did not say another word as he ran toward her room with a worried look on his face. A group of physicians had gathered in the Montclair House while Mathias stayed by Cordelia's bed. He was filled with worry for the woman he loved when he saw how pale she was. "Lady Cordelia had been weak since she was a fetus in the womb. She needs the blood from the heart of her closest kin," an old physician said in a slightly quivering voice as he hesitated. "It would be best if it were a healthy woman of a similar age." Mathias' head jerked up right away. "Bring Seraphina here right now!" It was not long before Seraphina was dragged into the room by guards. She struggled to stand up straight. Seeing Mathias looking at Cordelia, who was passed out in bed with such worry, she could not help feeling a pang of pain. "Take the blood from her heart," Mathias ordered coldly. A chill ran down Seraphina's back. For years, Cordelia had used her status as the legitimate daughter of the House to humiliate Mireille and her. She could never forget Cordelia's insulting words and condescending looks, and now, she had to save Cordelia by giving her the blood from her heart. "Your Highness," Seraphina said through clenched teeth, "I'm not willing to give my blood." The look in Mathias' eyes turned cold. "This isn't up to you! If you're not willing. Your mother will be evicted and become homeless." Seraphina turned pale, and she nearly fell to the ground. How could he threaten her by using her mother? Mireille was weak and sick. If she were evicted… "All right," Seraphina finally agreed in a trembling voice. "I will give my blood, but Your Highness has to agree to one condition from me." Chapter 7 Mathias frowned as he swept a glance at the unconscious Cordelia in bed. He replied impatiently. "All right." The old physician passed a silver blade to Seraphina right away. She took a deep breath before taking the blade and aiming it at her heart. When the sharp blade sliced into her skin, she nearly passed out from the intense pain, but she bit her lip and refused to call out in pain. Her blood dripped from the silver blade and down her hand. One drop, two drops… Seraphina's sight started to blur. She had no idea how much time had passed before she heard the physician call out in delight, "Lady Cordelia is awake!" Mathias lunged toward the bed and hugged Cordelia tight in his arms. His voice was incredibly soft as he uttered, "You're finally awake, Cordelia…" Meanwhile, Seraphina struggled to stand. She used the last of her strength to bite the tip of her finger to write on a white handkerchief with her blood—'Mathias Cavendish, the crown prince, agrees that Seraphina Montclair is free to marry whomever she desires and promises to never harass her or give trouble to her husband.' Every word written exhausted Seraphina's stamina, and it felt like her broken heart was being paraded to the world in those words as her blood was absorbed into the handkerchief. "My condition is for Your Highness to put your seal on this handkerchief…" Seraphina handed the handkerchief with the bloody words on it to Mathias with trembling hands. He was too occupied with the awakened Cordelia and printed his seal on it without looking at it. "Happy?" She clenched the bloody handkerchief weakly and looked at the bright, red seal on it. She suddenly laughed as tears streamed down her face. She was happy. It was finally all over. Seraphina locked herself in her room for the next few days to recuperate from her wound. Montclair House was bustling as everyone was making preparations for Cordelia to marry into the palace. Seraphina was the only one who sat quietly in front of the window to stare at a pear tree, which had lost all its blossoms, in the garden. "It's time to dress up, Ms. Montclair." Lottie entered the room with Seraphina's wedding gown as she teared up. Seraphina snapped out of her reverie. It was her wedding day, and also the day Cordelia would be married into the palace. Montclair House was decorated brilliantly for Cordelia's wedding. As for a mistress' daughter like her who would be married to the borders, she would be exiting from a side door where no one would notice. "I heard that His Highness has personally come to pick up Lady Cordelia and has even brought more gifts for her," Lottie said in a whisper while brushing Seraphina's hair. "Every woman in the city is envious of her…" Seraphina listened quietly without feeling anything in her heart. She knew that she had finally let him go. She was about to change into her wedding gown when loud music and drumming could be heard outside. "His Highness is here for Lady Cordelia!" A maid ran into the room excitedly. "Ms. Montclair, according to tradition, His Highness will be presenting gifts to the family's sisters. Come outside, quick." Seraphina had no choice but to leave her room. When she arrived at the main door, Mathias was riding a big horse toward them in his wedding suit, looking extremely handsome. He was smiling happily as he looked forward to finally marrying the love of his life. Mathias came forward with gifts for all the sisters. Every one of Seraphina's sisters was given jewelry, but Seraphina was the only one who received the deed to a land. It was the deed for a mansion in West Caventon. Seraphina's finger trembled as she looked up at Mathias and met the indifference in his eyes. She was suddenly reminded of what he said to her on that day, "Once Cordelia and I are married, I'll find a mansion and move you there." She smiled bitterly. He had always planned to make her live in the shadows. Unfortunately, she was no longer the same woman who could be easily manipulated because she had loved him. Seraphina was no longer afraid that Mathias would punish her when he found out the truth, as he had printed the crown prince's seal on her blood contract, which was hidden in her pockets. The contract had clearly written that Seraphina was free to marry whomever she wanted, and he could not go back on his words as he had personally sealed it. Mathias noticed something different about Seraphina when he saw her looking blankly at the deed. He frowned, wanting to go up to her, but that was when a huge commotion was heard from inside Montclair House. Cordelia was dressed magnificently in her wedding gown as a crowd of people ushered her out the door. He turned away from Seraphina right away as he only had eyes for his bride. Seraphina watched quietly as Mathias and Cordelia left hand in hand, and she returned to her room. The candlelight flickered as she placed the deed into the fire and watched it slowly burn to ashes. "It's time to dress you up, Ms. Montclair," Lottie said with teary eyes as she put on the veil for Seraphina. Seraphina looked breathtakingly beautiful in her wedding gown as the mirror reflected her beauty. She took a last look at the mansion that had kept her locked up for years, and she left for the far borders without looking back. She was finally free from all ties with the House of Montclair and Mathias. The Seraphina Montclair, who was in love with Mathias, was forever left behind and buried in this winter season, never to return.