novelblue
Chapter 68: A Dance in the Shadows
Chapter 68: A Dance in the Shadows
The second prince of Shambell, Prince Edric Vael Shambell, was known for his ambition. Unlike his elder brother, who was a puppet king waiting for the throne, Edric was a schemer, a man with his own plans for the kingdom. He surrounded himself with advisors, whispered into the ears of nobles, and moved his pieces in the shadows. While the king was blind to the corruption in his court, Edric saw it, embraced it, and used it to his advantage.
That made him dangerous.
With the Duremonts and the Ravenspires gone, Seraphis knew it was only a matter of time before Edric tried to seize control of the remnants of Shambell’s military. He would rally forces, manipulate nobles, and turn the chaos into an opportunity.
She couldn’t let that happen.
Tonight, Prince Edric would not live to see the sunrise.
The castle was a fortress, its walls high, its gates guarded by elite soldiers. But Seraphis didn’t need the gates.
She moved like a ghost through the shadows, scaling the outer walls with ease. Her daggers found purchase in the cracks of the stone, her movements swift and precise. The guards never saw her.
At the top, she slipped through an open balcony—one of the many that lined the prince’s private wing.
She landed silently, the night air cool against her skin.
The hunt had begun.
Edric’s chambers were on the eastern side of the castle, near the royal library. He was a scholar as much as he was a politician, spending his nights studying military tactics, history, and the weaknesses of his enemies.
But tonight, he was alone in his chambers.
Seraphis approached the door and knocked softly.
A moment later, the door creaked open, revealing Prince Edric himself—tall, sharp-eyed, and dressed in dark robes. His brows furrowed as he took in her presence.
"Who are you?" he asked, suspicion already lacing his voice.
Seraphis smiled sweetly. "Oh, I think I’m lost. Can you help me?"
Edric frowned. "Lost? In the royal palace?"
She stepped forward, pushing the door open wider as she slid past him. His room was lavish but simple—bookshelves lined the walls, and a desk covered in maps and documents stood near the window.
She glanced around, then turned back to him, her smile widening.
"Never mind," she said softly, reaching into her cloak. "I think I found my place."
In a blur, her metal playing cards shot forward, slicing through the air.
Edric reacted instantly, ducking as one of the cards embedded itself in the wooden door behind him. He twisted, reaching for a dagger hidden beneath his robes.
But Seraphis was faster.
She lunged, closing the distance between them in seconds. Her knee slammed into his chest, sending him staggering backward. The dagger slipped from his grip, clattering to the floor.
"Impressive," he gasped, gripping his ribs. "You're not just an assassin. You're a professional."
Seraphis tilted her head. "And you’re surprisingly quick."
Edric smirked, his eyes gleaming with something other than fear.
"Tell me," he said, wiping blood from his lip. "Who sent you? My brother? The council?"
Seraphis chuckled. "Does it matter?"
Edric exhaled sharply. "Not really. But I must admit… I didn’t expect to die tonight."
She took a step forward. "Everyone says that."
Suddenly, Edric moved.
With a flick of his wrist, he knocked over a lantern on his desk. The glass shattered, and within seconds, the papers around them caught fire.
Seraphis clicked her tongue. "Desperate, are we?"
Edric smirked. "I prefer the term ‘resourceful.’"
The flames spread quickly, filling the room with smoke.
Seraphis didn’t flinch. She didn’t need to see—her instincts were sharper than any pair of eyes.
Edric tried to run.
But before he could reach the window, a playing card flew through the smoke, slicing into his leg.
He collapsed to the floor, gasping in pain.
Seraphis emerged from the haze, her silhouette outlined by the flickering firelight.
"Nice trick," she said, kneeling beside him. "But not good enough."
Edric gritted his teeth, sweat dripping down his forehead. "You’re not just here to kill me, are you?"
Seraphis smiled. "I’m here to end this kingdom’s corruption, one body at a time."
With that, she pressed a blade to his throat.
Edric stared up at her, his expression unreadable.
Then, he laughed.
It was a low, bitter sound.
"You think killing me will change anything?" he asked. "The rot runs too deep. Another will take my place. The game will continue."
Seraphis shrugged. "Then I’ll just have to keep playing."
With one swift motion, her dagger sliced through his throat.
His body twitched once, then fell still.
The fire was spreading fast.
Seraphis rose to her feet, her cloak billowing as she turned toward the window. She vaulted onto the ledge and leaped into the night, disappearing just as the flames engulfed the room.
By the time the guards noticed the fire, it was already too late.
Prince Edric, the cunning second prince of Shambell, was dead.
And the White Raven had left her mark once again.
As she landed on the rooftops below, Seraphis allowed herself a small smile.
The pieces were falling into place.
Shambell was crumbling from within.