Kael
As if on instinct, I reached for Seraphina, my hands steadying her so she wouldn't trip over. Her gaze was cold, and she looked like she was about to fall apart.
Angie, the woman she came to see, also reached out as if to comfort her. What happened in Seraphina's personal life was no business of mine, but I couldn't help feeling sad for her.
Poor girl had already been through so much. I always acted like I didn't know her or the kind of things she did, mostly to let her do her stuff and partly because she was the absolute opposite of what anyone would expect a spoiled princess to be.
A few months ago, she and Angie had tried to reach out to her biological mother. It was crazy to think about; I almost didn't believe it until Angie took us to where she was.
We found out what happened to her, and it was truly a pitiful thing. Amelia Sanchez Vale was the carbon copy of Seraphina and vice versa. It was as glaring as daylight.
But it was of no use—she was mentally unwell, pushed brutally to the streets to find her way and survive the cruelty of this world.
We discovered that Seraphina's father wasn't a saint either and had physically forced himself on Amelia, which resulted in Seraphina's birth.
The king wanted a male heir, and when she couldn't give him one on the first try, he threw her into the streets, separating both mother and daughter.
The impact of this act of cruelty pushed her to insanity. People said she used to walk around the palace walls chanting the former king's name, begging him to let her see her child, but it was a futile attempt.
I couldn't imagine the kind of things she probably went through on her own, mentally unstable and mourning a loss she barely had time to understand.
Shortly after Seraphina was born, the king died mysteriously. Her uncle, Lord Varyn, took over as per the laws of succession. Seraphina was to assume the throne on her twenty-fourth birthday.
A feeling of dread and guilt suddenly emerged from my gut, and I tried so hard to push those feelings aside. I couldn't think about it. I shouldn't feel emotions like guilt or regret.
I had maintained a streak of being the most dangerous player in the PMC zone.
Emotions like guilt and regret were things I didn't identify myself with, and though I deeply felt sorry for her, I had to suffocate whatever traces of emotion her situation triggered.
I was sexually attracted to her, that was undeniable, but that was as far as it went—nothing else.
"How? What happened to her?" Seraphina's voice sounded like she was about to cry, and truth be told, it was a valid reaction considering the effort that went into finding out who her mom was and finally being able to visit her occasionally.
Angie took her in at Seraphina's request and cared for her, but it was clear that we were too late.
She was at her last thread when we found her, and I knew it wouldn't take long before she fizzled out of life.
There was a long silence before Seraphina spoke up again.
"How silly of me to ask that. Of course the people I care about always leave me," she said, trying to stifle a sob but not quite succeeding.
"Don't say that, Seraph. Everything happens for a reason," Angie tried consoling her.
"I do not care anymore. I honestly can't deal with this anymore."
She paused, as if reflecting on what she was about to say next.
"Bury her. Take care of her funeral and let me know how much it would cost. Do anything you want but just bury her. I wish I could look at her one last time, but I can't do it right now. I fear I would crash."
Angie held her hands in a comforting manner. "I completely understand your feelings, Seraph, and I promise that I will take care of everything."
Seraphina nodded, and this time I saw the tears fall from her eyes. I turned my face away, once again trying to avoid the crippling feeling that entangled my gut.
I didn't hear the rest of what they were saying, but after what felt like an hour, Seraphina bade her farewell, and in a few moments, we were on the road.
"I could cancel your other appointments for today if you want." I didn't know why, but I felt compelled to help the situation. Nothing else. Yeah, right.
"That would actually be a good idea. I really do not mind it. My current headspace is in absolute shambles. If I had to talk to anyone about some official or paperwork nonsense, I would genuinely lose it."
I didn't say anything. There was no need for me to.
We got back to the palace around 6 p.m. Seraphina walked into her room with a forlorn look on her face.
"Call your friends," I said before she could close her room door. "They might be able to help you feel better."
She managed a smile before something that looked dangerously close to mischief appeared in her eyes.
"I never thought I'd see the day where the great Kael Riven showed affection."
I stiffened, as if to retrace my steps.
"Don't get ahead of yourself, Amorcito. Grief deals with us differently, and I was only trying to help."
"Thank you, Kael." Her eyes glistened with genuineness. The guilty feeling strangling me all morning almost succeeded, but she closed the door just in time.
I sat in the quietness of my own room, my thoughts wandering to the events of today. You're an evil bastard. The voices inside my head were becoming too loud, but it was nothing I couldn't handle.
I hadn't realized how fast time had gone by, and by the time I gained awareness, the sound of the distant clock in the background was a clear indication that it was midnight.
Unbidden, my eyes landed on the wooden wardrobe where I kept the masks, and dark thoughts slowly formed at the back of my mind.
Looking down my pants, I felt my heat coming alive, and flashes of Seraphina's pleasure-filled face serenaded my thoughts.
I conceded and made for the wardrobe. As opposed to my earlier resolution, I needed to taste her again.
Matter of fact, I needed her more tonight. I picked up the mask from the hidden drawer and put it on, reveling in the intensity of what I was about to do.