Chapter 2: Crown Prince of Thorns

The letter arrived by raven.

An ornate black envelope bearing the royal crest.

The message was simple:

[The Crown Prince will visit at dusk. Be present. Be silent. Be obedient.]

Seraphina—no, Rika—burned the letter in the fireplace.

It didn’t matter.

He was coming.

And he hated her.

The original Seraphina had publicly embarrassed him. Challenged him. Tried to control him.

No wonder someone had poisoned her.

Now Rika had to face him.

Dusk fell like a blade.

The prince arrived, draped in shadows and silver armor.

Eyes like winter.

Voice colder.

“Lady Rosewing.”

She bowed, low and deep.

“Your Highness.”

He studied her.

Something flickered in his expression.

Confusion?

Disappointment?

“You seem… different.”

She smiled.

“I died and got better.”

Silence.

Then a smirk.

“Amusing.”

He stepped closer.

“The wedding is reinstated.”

Rika’s stomach dropped.

“I thought you hated me.”

“I did.”

“And now?”

“I hate change more.”

That night, she dreamed of fire again.

But this time, it wasn’t an accident.

It was a warning.

And the flames whispered:

“Reset the story. Or burn with it.”