Chapter 1
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A month before our wedding, Lord Damian secretly rode to his childhood sweetheart.
Fearing scandal, he hired a sorcerer to create his perfect double.
“What if Lady Seraphina finds out?” his squire worried.
She won’t‘ Damian sneered. “Even if she does, she’d never break the betrothal. The court knows she clings to me like a burr–tiresome, but harmless. Clara deserves better. Seraphina should be grateful to be my mist
ress
Behind the tapestry, I trembled. 1, who knew every star in his eyes, would surely spot an imposter. Yet this was his cruel plan
On our wedding day, Damian returned with Clara just as I approached Thorne Cathedral in silver and pearls.
He dragged me onto cobblestones, my veil torn, jeweled circlet scraping bloody trails down my face.
Then I saw it–his automaton rushing toward me.
“Seraphina! How dare you proceed with this wedding behind my back?”
The voice was familiar, laced with a fury I knew well, Damian was back.
A ripple of confusion and excitement went through the crowd of onlookers.
“Who is that man? To speak to a daughter of House Ashton in such a way, does he court death?”
“He looks familiar… just like Lord Damian, the groom! Can it be him?”
“Impossible. On his wedding day, Lord Damian should be waiting at the altar. This man isn’t even wearing his wedding doublet. He must be here to cause trouble!”
Hearing the whispers, Damian’s face darkened. A guard from House Thorne moved to intervene but hesitat ed upon seeing his lord’s face.
“My lord, what are you doing here? Weren’t you supposed to be-”
“Did my messenger not reach you?” Damian cut him off, his glare fixed on me. “I sent word that this wedding was to be canceled at all costs! Why is the entire city celebrating our union today?”
My hands clenched into fists, my knuckles turning white. I never imagined he would shame me so publicly. Today was meant to be our wedding day, a betrothal I had fought tooth and nail to secure.
It began two years ago. My grandmother lay gravely ill, and in my grief, I rode to the old abbey in the hills to pray. The mountain road was treacherous. A wheel of my carriage struck a rut, and I was thrown violently from my seat. I closed my eyes, bracing for the impact.
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Chapter 1
Instead, I fell into a warm, strong embrace.
I opened my eyes cautiously. As I did, the string of the man’s simple riding mask snapped, revealing a face of breathtaking beauty. Flustered, he murmured, “Be careful, my lady,” and was gone before I could find m
voice.
It was love at first sight.
Later, at a court banquet, I saw him again. He was Lord Damian, the heir to the Dukedom of Thorne. He didr t seem to recognize me.
From that day on, I cast aside the decorum of a highborn lady and pursued him with a singular focus. I sha melessly orchestrated “chance” encounters, desperate to make him see me. I spent nights embroidering a handkerchief with his sigil and had it delivered to him.
Then, I overheard the whispers. He had a childhood love, Clara, the daughter of a Knight–Banneret. My cour age failed me. I retreated, ceasing my pursuit.
But he sought me out. He cornered me in the palace gardens, showing me the embroidered handkerchie tucked into his belt.
It was the one I had made.
He smiled, a slow, intoxicating smile. “Seraphina of House Ashton, what is the meaning of this favor?”
Mortified, I reached for it, but he deftly blocked my hand.
“You have another you are sworn to! Give it back! Forgive my intrusions these past months!”
For the first time, his smile reached his eyes. “She is but a friend. And you… do you truly not understand my
heart?”
That night, emboldened, I begged my father to petition the King for a royal decree, uniting our houses throu gh marriage. I believed our love was mutual, I never imagined that on the day the decree was announced, Clara would quietly leave the capital.
And Damian, panicked, finally realizing where his heart truly lay, rode after her, leaving a perfect imitation in his place to fool a kingdom, and a bride.
I was the biggest fool of all.
