Chapter 1
eraphina didn’t have the guts to defy the King’s command to marry a dead man, so she threatened me to take her place in the tomb.
But just when I thought General Benedict had died a hero on the battlefield-He came back from the dead.
And just like that, I became the general’s wife.
hen out of nowhere, Seraphina threw herself at him, sobbing, saying I’d conspired with rebels to fake his death and steal her place.
thought maybe he’d believe me,
mean, we were married, even if just for a few days.
2
ut he just looked at me and said, “The one thing I hate most… is being lied to.”
hey beat me to death right there in the courtyard.
nd when I opened my eyes again-I was back.
ack on the very day Seraphina tried to force me to take her place in that cursed wedding.
opened my eyes.
hat same courtyard. That same sky. I was back.
ast time, the news came from the frontlines-General Benedict had died pushing back the invaders, a hero of the realm.
hen the royal decree arrived.
ing Cassian had ordered Seraphina to be posthumously wed to the late general.
was supposed to be an honor.
ut let’s be real-everyone in the capital knew Benedict had died in battle.
eraphina and her father, Lord Theodore, were fuming inside, but who’d dare go against the King?
oday marked day three of Seraphina’s hunger strike.
he was Lord Theodore’s eldest and only daughter.
[e’d spoiled her rotten since she was born-afraid she’d melt in his mouth or vanish from his hands. Every tantrum she threw, he caved.
ut this time, with the King’s command, even he was out of options.
Sweetheart, just eat a little, please. Your body can’t take much more of this….”
le stroked his beard, his eyes full of worry as he looked at his rapidly fading daughter.
Daddy, I don’t wanna marry a corpse…”
She didn’t even finish the sentence before Theodore snapped.
Seraphina! That man is a war hero-General Benedict.”
Watch your mouth! The walls have ears.”
If someone hears you, even I won’t be able to protect you.”
Seraphina burst into louder sobs.
Annoyed, Theodore stormed off.
Chapter 1
I watched from the doorway, my chest tight.
My parents died when I was a child.
Theodore bought me soon after to serve as Seraphina’s maid.
We’d grown up together, though I was always a step behind.
I carried in a bowl of fresh barley porridge, hoping she’d eat at least a spoonful.
Then she looked at me.
Her expression shifted-just slightly-but I saw it. Something brewing behind those teary eyes.
‘Evelyn, we’ve been together since we were kids… You know I love Luke.”
‘We promised we’d run away together and live free. Please, you have to help me.”
Her voice trembled, pitiful as ever.
But I knew what came next. I’d seen this play out before.
Last time, she drugged me.
When I woke up, I was already in General Benedict’s estate, bound in a red veil and called his bride.
Not this time.
‘d already died once.
And I wasn’t about to make the same mistake again.
