...1787, Velmora Residence, Thalorwyn Kingdom...

"Ladies and gentlemen, please stand up, Duke of Velmora, Theodore Lucien, and Duchess of Velmora, Seraphina Eloira." said a guard in the wedding venue

Seraphina Eloira Virelion, is one of the Duchesses of the Virelion family, she actually planned to marry a royal prince, but instead she married the Duke of Velmora.

Her older sister, Serena Elaine Virelion, was actually the one who should marry the Duke of Velmora, but because her sister loved the royal prince, in the end she just gave up and married the Duke of Velmora, because she was not interested in either of them.

"Well, do you Duke Theodore Lucien take Duchess Seraphina Eloira as your wife?" ask a Priest to Theodore

"Yes, I am" answered Theodore looking at Seraphina

"Well is the Duchess..."

"Yes, I am." answer Seraphina without looking at Theodore, she looked down at the floor while holding a bouquet of flowers

Seraphina doesn't like Theodore, she did this because it was an important political alliance, between Velmora and Virelion alliances.

"Alright, now I pronounce you man and wife." said the priest to both of them

But suddenly the sound of footsteps was so loud someone was running towards here, the door was then pushed wide open.

"There is a rebellion, leave here immediately, the people are carrying weapons." shouted a guard to all of them

Everyone in the chapel panicked, and wanted to run out of here.

"Seraphina we better run too." said Theodore to her handing her a hand

But Seraphina had already walked towards her mother to accompany her home, without even responding to Theodore.

"Let's go, mother, I'll take you back first, this is very dangerous." said Seraphina lifting half of her dress holding her mother hands

"But Seraphina you just got married, you have to go with your husband it's tradition." said her mother, Callise Virelion

"But this is very dangerous let's go first, he will definitely understand that family is more important." said Seraphina holding her mother hand and walked away

...Virelion's Residence...

"I'm so scared of what will happen, will we be beheaded by them?" said Serena sitting in her chair

"Don't worry, you will definitely be given a chance to live because you are now part of the kingdom." said Sebastian Edmund Virelion, the second older siblings

"That would actually make me the first target with Cedric because he is the crown prince, and I'm his wife." said Serena suddenly covering her mouth

"What did you say crown prince, so the king has determined that Cedric will be the heir?" ask Sebastian with a smirk then look at Seraphina

"It's really sad, if I were Seraphina, I would be very disappointed, I should have married a crown prince, but instead I ended up with a Duke." said Sebastian looking at Seraphina who is sitting in her dressing table trying to remove her accesories

"Moreover, it's her wedding day, instead of being happy for her, you're saying this strange thing, what an attention seeker." said Sebastian then leaving the room

"I didn't do it on purpose, I swear, why are you so cruel?" said Serena to Sebastian

Two weeks had passed, the rebellion has been stopped by the ministers, Seraphina was still at her residence, didn't wanted to go back, that morning Theodore was about to arrived in front of her residence, to pick her up.

However, Seraphina, who heard this news, pretended to be sick to postpone it. The next week Theodore came again, Seraphina said that she was busy undergoing training.

One month has passed, finally Seraphina no longer has any excuses, even though she doesn't want to leave her residence, she has to go because this is no longer the home she should stay.

"Lady Seraphina, you'd better get going soon." shouted a servant to Seraphina standing next to her carriage

"See you later, mother will miss you" said Callise gave Seraphina a hug and let go

"I don't know when that was, Velmora is a place quite far from the kingdom, I'm afraid of loneliness." said Seraphina to Callise while stepping into her carriage

"Don't worry, there's Francesca, she will definitely accompany you, until we meet again, be careful." said Callise gave her a wave

In the afternoon they arrived at Velmora, all of Seraphina's belongings were neatly arranged by the servants, Seraphina walked into the palace of a castle belonging to the Velmora family who once led the kingdom.

This castle is dark, although neat and clean, but it is very dark, Seraphina is taken on a tour by a servant sent for her by Francesca Andwolyn.

Francesca had arrived here a month ago because she thought that the princess would arrive that day too.

"Let me introduce myself Duchess, I'm Francesca Andwolyn, you can call me Francess." said Francesca to Seraphina with a smile

"Nice to meet you too." replied Seraphina walked away

Seraphina is still not familiar with this big castle which is only left by Theodore himself, his parents have died of war, in this castle there are only him alone.

His relatives don't live in the castle because it's too dangerous, Seraphina knows that Velmora's is the one of the strongest after Embelle's who now leads Thalorwyn's.

Because since long ago they were the leaders, but because there was a time when war broke out between them, now Velmora is exiled, and is one of Embelle's enemies.

Virelion and Velmora have been allies for a long time, but this is the first time in history that the Virelion and Velmora families have united, by the marriage of Seraphina and Theodore.

"You've already arrived, nice to see you" said Theodore who had just returned from outside.

Seraphina didn't know how to respond, she stepped back and walked away without greeting him, acting cold.

"Then if you'll excuse us, Duke." said Francesca leaving following Seraphina along

Theodore didn't seem to care much about Seraphina either, he walked away without feeling anything.

"Duchess, what would you like to eat tonight?" ask Francesca to Seraphina while both of them walking in the hall

"I eat anything, just adjust it to him." said Seraphina standing in front of her reading room

"Alright Francesca, remember every time I'm in front of this door you can't enter without my permission, and you can't come any closer, if you get caught I won't forgive you." said Seraphina walking in and then closed the door

Francesca understood, she then left the place and walked downstairs, to prepare some dinner for tonight.

Countinued...

...Reading Room, Velmora Residence...

"Where did I put those things?" muttered Seraphina scrambled her things that she brought from Virelion

"This scroll, a potential deployment plan that could happen in the kingdom." said Seraphina opening the roll

All this time Seraphina has been secretly undergoing a program created by the Thalorwyn kingdom, where she disguises herself as a civilian to prevent a rebellion.

She took one step earlier to pretend to participate in the rebellion plan, so she can know when they will rebel and can prevent it before it happens.

She is one of the people who really loyal to the kingdom of Thalorwyn's, that's why she feels guilty if she marries an enemy.

She plans to continue her mission and try to trap Theodore in a scandal so that she can divorce him. Suddenly, at the front door, there was a knock on the door.

"May I come in?" ask Theodore voice outside the room

Seraphina didn't answer, she quickly put away her things and went out.

"You can't come in, Is there something?" ask Seraphina closing the door while replying to him

"I know we are both our last choices, but I hope you can survive your new living situation in this castle." said Theodore looking around

"So this is all you wanted to say?" ask Seraphina to him standing in front of him looking very serious

"No, I've been living here alone for a few years, it's a bit empty, you can decorate it however you like, as long as there are no elements of the Thalorwyn kingdom, I do accept it." said Theodore to her handing her a small Velmora badge

"This is for you, every Duchess who has ever lived in this castle has one, I made this especially for you with your initials on it." said Theodore handing it to her

Seraphina held the badge while looking at her initials arranged there, it was strange, but she put it away after that Theodore walked away.

"It seems like the rumors are true, it seems like he had some motives?" said Seraphina stored the badge in her table desk

All afternoon Seraphina was only in her reading room, she decorated the room neatly, and sitting there all day planning her new moves about her disguise.

"I'm so tired that I have to start all this tomorrow." muttered Seraphina stretching her back after sitting all-day

She walked downstairs for a quick dinner and found that Theodore was already downstairs.

"Francesca, where are you?" ask Seraphina walking towards the dining hall

"All the servants have returned to their resting places two hours ago that is the rule in this castle." said Theodore to her

"And, tomorrow we have to take a portrait together, the royal painter will be present." said Theodore getting up from his chair and walked away leaving Seraphina eating alone in a big castle dining hall

Seraphina didn't know what to answer, she didn't know and wasn't close to Theodore Lucien.

"I know, you feel that I am expressing my motives as rumored, but remember, darling, I am not like that." whispers Theodore suddenly to Seraphina then walked away

Seraphina was shocked because he could read her mind, this was quite scary for her, the whisper earlier made her tremble a little.

"Let's live this marriage well, no matter how long we last, that's how long we will be together." said Theodore in the middle of his walk with a small laughter

The next morning Seraphina was dressed by several maids, she was styled and dressed in the typical Velmora noble clothes, with lots of diamonds as accessories, and a pearl as her necklace.

"Duchess, this is the crown belonging to the Duchess of Velmora, and you will be the first to wore it again." said Francesca helping Seraphina to wore it

After finishing dressing herself, she went to the main hall with Francesca, Francesca helped her to tidy up her dress, there she saw Theodore who was already ready.

...Velmora's Main Hall...

Seraphina was shocked because it was the first time in the last month after their marriage that she had seen Theodore dressed up like that.

"That crown, suits you perfectly." whispers Theodore to Seraphina while staring at the painter

Hearing this, Seraphina was a little surprised and wondered how she knew this must be part of one of Theodore's plans.

"Alright, keep the position, I will start drawing." said the royal painter

Seraphina and Theodore sat quite close and this was awkward for both of them who didn't want this at all.

After a few hours of sitting there, the portrait was finally finished, Seraphina could finally leave to continue her mission quietly.

"Alright, this is the finished portrait." said the royal painter handing it to them

"Thank you very much." said Theodore to the royal painter

"It is an honor for me to be able to draw a portrait for you." replied the royal painter to Theodore

After that, the portrait was immediately displayed in the main hall, where everyone who passed by the castle could see it.

“Duchess would you like to take off this coat first?" ask Francesca to Seraphina walking towards her

"It's fine, I'll take it off myself." said Seraphina to Francesca sitting a while on a chair

"Duke, this tax report is due this week, it seems you have to come to this house, The Penrose family in person, because the several times I've gone they've made long excuses." said a guy to Theodore

"I understand, just put it on my desk, I'll go later." replied Theodore to the guy

Hearing this conversation, it seems Seraphina will have to cancel her mission today, as she will clash with Theodore, who will reveal that she is an undercover in disguise to protect the Thalorwyn Kingdom later.

"Francesca, are there any fun activities this afternoon, I think I'd like to join in and get to know the castle." whispers Seraphina to Francesca awkwardly smiling

Countinued...

...Velmora Garden...

"Duchess why do you suddenly want to do this with me, it's so strange?" ask Francesca confused to Seraphina

"No, I find it exciting to pick flowers and arrange them, I think this could be a fun hobby." said Seraphina plucking the flowers while secretly spying Theodore

"I've heard from Duchess Virelion, I heard that you don't like the atmosphere here, so I'll try to make this feel like home." said Francesca to Seraphina while plucking flowers too

"Feels like home, You're right, thanks for the idea Francesca, I know what I have to do." said Seraphina getting up from the garden and walked inside the castle

It turns out that Seraphina was thinking about Theodore's words last night, and planned to decorate these castles.

"Alright everyone, I hope for your cooperation and help me decorate this castle, I have drawn everything on this paper, so you just adjust the position, If you need to ask questions, never ask." said Seraphina handing them a big scroll of paper

Everyone worked together to decorate the dark castle into a colorful and bright castle, even though the dark atmosphere was still there.

"Duchess are you sure this is a good idea?" ask Francesca to Seraphina

"Yes, this is my house now, there's no harm in decorating it as I wish, as long as there are no Thalorwyn elements in it." said Seraphina looking around the castle

"But this castle has never been this colorful again since the death of the fifteenth Duke and Duchess Velmora." said Francesca to her

"It's fine, trust me." said Seraphina displaying a small Thalorwyn badge in the main hall

She deliberately put it there to provoke Theodore's emotions and get herself divorced, she never wanted to be a widow this much.

That night, when Theodore arrived at the castle, he found that the castle he was living in had been decorated by Seraphina to make it a place worth living in.

Seraphina was in her study busy planning an undercover mission while waiting for Theodore's angry reaction.

"Let's see what he will do after seeing Thalorwyn's decorations there." muttered Seraphina holding her quill while smiling

Some time passed, but there was not the slightest reaction from Theodore, this made Seraphina surprised because he had clearly placed it in the main hall.

Seraphina finally went down to the main hall and saw it for herself because she wanted to make sure that it was striking.

"It looks obvious, does he have an eye problem, why doesn't he realize it?" muttered Seraphina looking at the Thalorwyn badge she hangs beside Velmora

"You expected me to be aware of the decoration in the main hall right, but unfortunately you failed again." said Theodore to Seraphina suddenly appears behind her

"You noticed it?" said Seraphina stunned and shocked turned back to Theodore

"This is an easy trick, better luck next time." said Theodore to Seraphina walked away

Hearing that, Seraphina looked like a fool, but this was not the last thing, she already planned many tricks to make Theodore want to divorce her.

A few weeks later, she celebrated a grand feast at the castle by inviting the nobles to revel in Velmora's treasures.

"What a fun party, I wish my husband could join, it was really fun." said Seraphina to another nobles laughing

"Did the Duchess do this on purpose?" ask a servant to Francesca

"I don't know, but it seems like she is trying to find a way to get divorced by the Duke." replied Francesca staring at Seraphina from afar

"Please eat this, this is very fancy food, I invited the royal chef to cook especially tonight." said Seraphina handing them a tray of roasted stuffed meat

But this plan failed, Theodore was even more delighted to see this castle colorful and bustling with life, as he had long wanted that.

"Theodore, there's someone here I'd like to introduce to you." shouted Seraphina to Theodore gave him a wave

Theodore walks there, Seraphina has a plan to make Theodore turn his gaze to another woman, so that he will divorce her.

"Theodore this is, the countess of Floremone, Jacqueline Floremone." introduce Seraphina to Theodore handing Jacqueline hand to Theodore

"Nice to meet you, I'm Theodore Lucien Velmora, Duke of Velmora." said Theodore with a smile to Jacqueline Floremone gave her a handshake

After that, Theodore didn't continue the conversation but instead joined in the meal and party, Seraphina's plan failed once again.

"Better luck next time, sweetheart." whispers Theodore to Seraphina, suddenly walked to her holding her waist tossing a glass of wine then walked away while drinking it

"How could he not fall for it?" muttered Seraphina confused and shocked

The next month later, Seraphina was invited to a meal at the Thalorwyn kingdom, and she herself was invited by her sister Serena, and Cedric to their newborns party who are twins.

Seraphina uses this as an opportunity to provoke Theodore into a rage as he walks into Thalorwyn's palace, and divorces her for ruining his mood.

...Kingdom of Thalorwyn...

"Welcome, Duke and Duchess of Velmora, it is an honor for you to be here." said Cedric of Thalorwyn to both of them with a smile

Seraphina smiled, and walked towards Serena to see the twins, Theodore smiled awkwardly with Cedric, but he looked fine.

"They are so adorable, what are their names?" ask Seraphina to Serena while looking at the twins

"Edward Embelle Thalorwyn, and Edmund Embelle Thalorwyn." replied Serena to Seraphina

"What a great name." said Seraphina smiling to the babies

Theodore and Cedric stood awkwardly looking at their two wives who were looking at the twins.

"Your majesty, we both had a gift for you and my sister, right Theodore?" said Seraphina suddenly staring at Theodore with a smile

"Oh yes, this, I designed a special badge for your majesty which has it own initial, and this is the C for you, prince Cedric." said Theodore gave that to both of them smiling back to Seraphina

"He has prepared it for them, I failed again?" muttered Seraphina in disbelief looking at Theodore sly smile

Seraphina also felt betrayed, because he said it was specially designed for her, but in fact her sister and Cedric also got it.

Countinued...