Peace didn't last long after breakfast. I should have expected it. Seraphina thrived in chaos and the world couldn't spare this villainess five minutes of quiet.
[No, host. Villainesses never get peace. Chaos follows them like ducklings follow their mother,] Nero observed.
The heavy doors of the dining hall burst open and a butler practically tripped himself into the room. "Your Grace! My lady! A royal messenger has arrived—he says it's urgent!"
Dad didn't even blink. "Of course it is," he muttered. "They can't go a single morning without bothering us."
Mum sighed and set her cup down. "Send him in. If the royal family insists on ruining a perfectly good morning, they can do it to our faces."
[Oh, this should be entertaining,] Nero purred in my head.
The doors opened again and the messenger came in, all navy and gold, posture practiced and bow overdone. "By command of His Majesty, King Aldric of Aurernhart," he announced, voice meant to wake the ancestors, "I bear a royal summons for Lady Seraphina Valemont."
I raised an eyebrow. "For me? How flattering."
Dad rose slowly; the room shifted around him in a way that made people uncomfortably aware of how big his shadow was. "And what, exactly, does His Majesty want with my daughter?"
The messenger's confidence blinked. "The second prince has requested that Lady Seraphina deliver an apology at court tomorrow morning. His Majesty expects her attendance."
Mum went still mid-sip. "He what?"
Dad's jaw tightened. "An apology? For defending herself?"
I set my teacup down with the faintest smile. "How public of him."
Dad's voice sharpened. "Tell His Majesty that the Valemont Duchy does not kneel to liars or lechers."
The messenger went pale. "I—I could not possibly—"
"You can," Dad said evenly. "And you will."
He bowed so low I feared for his spine and retreated fast enough to prove it wasn't his finest hour.
When the doors closed, Mum pinched the bridge of her nose. "Honestly. Politics before dessert. Why did I ever marry into this chaos?"
"Because you love the chaos?" I offered.
"And you love me," Dad said, deadpan.
Mum gave him a look that meant "don't push it," but she smiled anyway.
Fair enough—I am the reason half the chaos exists.
Dad exhaled, slower now. "Seraphina, you don't have to apologize. If the royal family wants a spectacle, I will stand with you."
"That won't be necessary," I said, calm but steel-edged. "If the prince wants a scene, I'll give him one."
[Host, that's your cue,] Nero said lazily. [Tomorrow's task—end the engagement once and for all.]
A slow smile tugged at one corner of my mouth. "Gladly."
[That's the spirit. You'll make quite the impression. The kind that lingers in nightmares.]
"I'd rather it linger in gossip," I murmured. Mum looked at me curiously.
"Nothing, Mum," I said, standing. "I'll start preparing. I have an apology to ruin."
[And an engagement to destroy,] Nero added cheerfully.
I paused in the doorway, glancing back at my parents. Dad already looked like a man drafting threats in his head; Mum looked ready to set the royal household on fire with a smile.
For a second, warmth settled in my chest.
Then I put on my composed, dangerous, villainess smile.
It came so naturally.
[You're hardwired to exude an air of calm, grace, and villainess,] Nero said, smug amusement coating every word.
I couldn't help the faint laugh that escaped me. "Then let's make sure tomorrow they see every inch of it."
[Now that's my host.]
Tomorrow, the royal court of Aurernhart would meet Seraphina Valemont—properly this time.
Gosh, being a villainess is so fun.
[You said it, host.]