Chapter 241

AURELIA’S POV The faint smile that had almost tugged at my lips was gone the moment Seraphina entered. She glided into the corridor as though she owned it, every step deliberate, her silken gown whispering against the polished floors. Her beauty had always been her weapon, sharpened with wit and arrogance—and she wielded both with effortless precision. Her eyes lingered on the men flanking me, a calculating gleam in her gaze. “Well,” she purred, “aren’t you two a surprise.” I stiffened. Of course she’d waste no time testing her charms on them. “Allow me to introduce myself,” she continued smoothly, resting a delicate hand on her chest. “Seraphina, Aurelia’s sister. The prettier, livelier one, if I may say so.” She smirked, then tilted her head toward me with mock sympathy. “Don’t mind her. She’s not very good with words. Always got her nose buried in books. And when she’s not reading…” Her voice dropped, playful, edged with venom. “…she’s usually busy doing things she shouldn’t. You’ll