Episode 15| You love him, dont you?
The Valmont estate was unusually quiet that afternoon.
Sunlight filtered softly through the tall windows of the private garden lounge, where a delicate tea setup had been prepared—fine porcelain, fresh pastries, and the calming scent of blooming flowers in the air.
It was a familiar setting.
One Seraphina had shared countless times with the one person who knew her best.
“…You used to be terrifying, you know.”
Seraphina raised an eyebrow, setting her teacup down with quiet elegance.
“Used to be?”
Across from her sat Lady Diana VanHale, daughter of Viscount Fredrick VanHale—her closest confidante and, perhaps, the only person who could speak to her so casually.
Diana leaned back in her chair, smiling mischievously.
“Yes, used to be. Now you’re just… confusing.”
Seraphina exhaled softly.
“I fail to see the difference.”
“Oh, there’s a very big difference,” Diana replied, reaching for a pastry. “Do you remember when we were younger?”
Seraphina’s gaze softened slightly.
“…I do.”
Diana laughed.
“You were absolutely relentless.”
Seraphina sighed.
“That’s an exaggeration.”
“No, it isn’t,” Diana shot back immediately. “You chased after His Highness like your life depended on it.”
A pause.
“And I helped you eliminate every ‘rival’ who got in your way.”
Seraphina’s lips twitched faintly.
“…You make it sound worse than it was.”
“Oh, it was worse,” Diana said with a grin. “Lady Corinne mysteriously losing her invitation to the royal banquet? Lady Elise suddenly deciding to pursue ‘spiritual enlightenment’ far away from the capital?”
Seraphina took a slow sip of her tea.
“…Coincidences.”
Diana burst out laughing.
“You’re unbelievable.”
For a moment—
They both laughed.
The memories, though questionable, were oddly comforting.
Familiar.
Simple.
But then—
Diana stopped.
Her laughter faded.
Her gaze sharpened slightly as she studied Seraphina more carefully.
“…You’ve changed.”
Seraphina paused.
“…People do.”
Diana shook her head slowly.
“No. Not like this.”
Silence settled between them.
Seraphina avoided her gaze, reaching for her teacup again.
“…What are you implying?”
Diana leaned forward slightly.
Her voice lost its teasing edge.
“…Your heart isn’t in the same place anymore.”
Seraphina’s hand stilled.
“…Diana—”
“You love him, don’t you?”
The words fell—
Direct.
Unfiltered.
Unavoidable.
Seraphina froze.
The world seemed to still for just a moment.
Diana watched her closely.
Waiting.
Expecting denial.
Excuses.
Deflection.
Anything.
But instead—
Seraphina exhaled softly.
“…Yes.”
Diana blinked.
Once.
“…Oh.”
That… was not the reaction she expected.
“You’re not even going to deny it?” she asked, stunned.
Seraphina shook her head slightly.
“…There’s no point.”
Her gaze lowered to the tea in her hands.
“…I tried to ignore it at first.”
A faint, almost self-deprecating smile touched her lips.
“…But I can’t.”
Diana leaned back slowly.
Processing.
“…Well,” she muttered, “that was easier than expected.”
Seraphina shot her a look.
“…Don’t make light of it.”
“I’m not,” Diana said quickly, raising her hands slightly. “I’m just… surprised.”
A pause.
“…It’s the priest, isn’t it?”
Seraphina didn’t answer.
She didn’t need to.
Diana groaned softly, covering her face with one hand.
“…Of course it is.”
“Alright,” Diana said after a moment, regaining her composure. “Then we just proceed as usual.”
Seraphina frowned slightly.
“…Usual?”
Diana nodded confidently.
“Yes. We observe, gather information, identify weaknesses—”
“No.”
The refusal was immediate.
Firm.
Diana blinked.
“…No?”
Seraphina met her gaze.
“I won’t do that.”
“…Why not?”
“Because that’s not who I want to be anymore.”
Silence.
Seraphina’s expression softened, but her resolve remained unwavering.
“…Ryan deserves better than that.”
Diana’s eyes widened slightly.
“…You’re serious.”
“I am.”
Seraphina looked away, her voice quieter now.
“If he knew the things I’ve done in the past… he would despise me.”
Diana tilted her head slightly.
“…You don’t know that.”
“I do.”
A pause.
“…He’s not like us.”
That much was clear.
Painfully clear.
Seraphina’s grip on her teacup tightened slightly.
“…I want to be someone he can respect.”
Someone worthy.
Diana watched her for a long moment.
Then—
She smiled.
Softly.
“…You really have changed.”
Seraphina didn’t respond.
But she didn’t deny it either.
“…Alright,” Diana said after a moment. “Then we’ll do it your way.”
Seraphina blinked.
“…You’re agreeing?”
“Of course,” Diana shrugged. “You’re my best friend.”
A small smile formed on Seraphina’s lips.
“…Thank you.”
But then—
Diana’s expression shifted again.
“…There’s just one problem.”
Seraphina frowned slightly.
“…What is it?”
Diana leaned forward.
“…You’re not the only one.”
Seraphina stilled.
“…Explain.”
Diana sighed.
“I’ve been hearing things.”
Her tone became more serious.
“The Crown Prince.”
Seraphina’s expression darkened slightly.
“The Archmage.”
Her brows furrowed.
“…And the Duke.”
Silence.
Heavy.
Unsettling.
Seraphina’s fingers tightened around her cup.
“…All of them?”
Diana nodded slowly.
“…All of them.”
A pause.
Then—
“…Are these men gay?”
Seraphina choked slightly on her tea.
“Diana—!”
“I’m serious!” Diana continued, clearly baffled. “Because from what you’re telling me, and what I’ve heard—”
She gestured wildly.
“They’re all circling around the same man!”
A beat.
“…Or is the priest the one who’s—?”
“Stop.”
Seraphina pressed her fingers to her temple.
“…Just stop.”
Diana frowned.
“I’m just trying to make sense of it!”
“…There is no sense to be made.”
Because even Seraphina didn’t understand it.
Not fully.
Not yet.
Diana leaned back again, muttering under her breath.
“…This sounds like a poorly written romance plot.”
Seraphina sighed.
“…Unfortunately, it’s real.”
Another pause.
Then—
“…What are you going to do?” Diana asked.
Seraphina was quiet for a long moment.
Then she looked out toward the garden.
Her expression calm.
Resolved.
“…I’ll face it.”
Diana blinked.
“…Face it?”
Seraphina nodded.
“I won’t run.”
A pause.
“I won’t scheme.”
Another.
“And I won’t lose to them without trying.”
Her gaze hardened slightly.
“…Even if my chances are low.”
Diana smiled slowly.
“…That’s more like the Seraphina I know.”
Seraphina exhaled softly.
“…Just… a better version.”
Diana chuckled.
“I’ll hold you to that.”
As the conversation faded into a more comfortable silence, one thing became clear.
This was no longer a simple rivalry.
No longer a predictable story.
It was something far more chaotic.
Far more complicated.
And far more dangerous.
Because for the first time—
Seraphina Valmont wasn’t playing to win.
She was playing…
For love.