“Lady Seraphina!” 

I spin my head back to see the maid from earlier, running at me. Her expression, innocent and fragile, as she clutched at her own maid dress.

She stops in front of me and catches her breath for a second before slapping me across the face.

“How could you just run off! What will happen if this enrages the Imperial princess!” she shrieked.

I cupped my hand on my stinging cheek as I glared at her.…. This woman, isn’t she supposed to work for Seraphina, why is she telling me what to do? No moreover, why do I have to take a beating from somebody I’ve met just 30 minutes ago!?

I swiftly stand up and slap her back.

“Are you implying that it isn’t already ruined!? Did you not hear what they said about me!?” I scream.

To be honest, I wasn’t really that mad at her… but after being murdered by some masked lunatic in what was supposed to be my new home and then waking up in this twisted world where my name is already in the dirt…. getting slapped by some rando who I did nothing to, was the limit.

The maid and I stood there, in the dazzling garden full of roses.…  pulling on each other's hair and clothes and cursing at eachother. Seriously, what did I ever do to these women?

Tears start welling up, again. God dammit! I’m so pathetic. 

“What are you girls doing?” The stern voice of a boy interrupts our embarrassing quarrel.

He wore a richly tailored royal blue tunic with tight fitted trousers, which were lined with gold threads and adorned with jewels. A long flowing crimson cloak lined with fur, draped over his shoulders. A sword was tucked neatly beneath his waist and his hair shone honey golden in the sunlight…. And just like the girl with curls, his magnificent blue eyes sparkled like the ocean.

He was handsome, not nearly as handsome as my husband Damien, but most certainly, handsome.

Even the maid that was viciously fighting me just a second ago has now let go of her grip and was blushing and apologizing to the boy.

“Y-your royal highness! I deeply apologise for the ruckus. I regret that you had to witness this.”

Royal highness? Is he the emperor's son? I gape my mouth open, questioning whether I heard that right.

His blue ocean-like orbs shift to my direction. He studies me, my face, my scuffed up dress and loose hair.

 “Seraphina Valemont?!” He shrieks in surprise as he flusters about.

Taken aback by his reaction, I stare at him questionably…. and then at the maid…  who looked just as clueless. 

“Sorry, what exactly is our relationship again?” I ask.

He glares at me, tomato red and then pulls me aside 

“Are you crazy? Why would you ask that when there's a maid right there,  don't you know how rumours can spread like wildfire?” he hissed in my ears.

Is Seraphina and the Imperial prince’s relationship something to hide about!? I scream internally. This is so weird, I’m a married woman for god sake!

He sighs and takes a step back. He then glances at the maid, 

“What had led you two to fight like this in the imperial garden!?” he hollowed.