Apology In Vain

Lady Liliana,now apparently addressed as Princess Liliana after some early plot events,stood beside the Prince, golden curls glowing in the sunlight, looking like a literal ray of protagonist sunshine in a soft pink gown. She was laughing at something a countess said, radiating warmth.

Seraphina's modern brain short-circuited.

Okay. Apology time. Be normal. Be kind. Don't say 'slay queen.'

She approached, curtsying awkwardly. The movement felt too natural in Seraphina's body and too weird in her mind.

"Princess Liliana," she started, voice softer than she expected. "I… wanted to speak with you."

The entire garden seemed to lean in. Even the birds got quiet.

Liliana turned, her smile sweet and perfect. But Seraphina caught the micro-expression,subtle wariness in those bright blue eyes. The kind of look you give a dog that once bit you but is now wagging its tail.

"Lady Seraphina," Liliana said warmly, "how lovely to see you. Are you well?"

Seraphina swallowed. "Look, I know I've been… a total nightmare to you. The rumors, the comments, the whole 'evil stepsister' energy I had going on. I'm really sorry. Like, genuinely. I was going through some stuff,probably a quarter-life crisis or whatever,and I took it out on you. That wasn't cool. You didn't deserve any of it."

Silence.

Someone dropped a teacup.

Seraphina realized too late she'd slipped into modern cadence. "I mean… my behavior was most unbecoming and unworthy of my station. Please accept my sincere apology."

She added, awkwardly, "You've got, like… really pretty hair. Super shiny. Goals."

Liliana blinked. The sweet smile stayed plastered on, but her head tilted slightly, confusion flickering. "Thank you… Lady Seraphina. That's… very unexpected. I appreciate your words." She paused, eyes searching Seraphina's face for the trap. "Are you quite certain you're feeling alright?"

Prince Ralph was watching now, brows furrowed, maintaining a careful three-meter distance like she carried the plague.

Seraphina laughed nervously. "Yeah, totally fine. Just had a wake-up call. Literally. Like, truck-level wake-up call. You know how it is."

More silence.

Liliana's wariness deepened, though she covered it with a gentle laugh. "I'm glad to hear you're reflecting. Perhaps we can start anew?"

"Yes! New game plus. I mean,yes, that would be wonderful."

Seraphina curtsied again, this time nearly tripping over her own dress. As she straightened, she caught Prince Ralph's gaze. For a split second, something like curiosity flashed across his face before the cold mask returned.

Don't simp. Don't scheme. Just survive.

She backed away carefully, almost knocking into a servant carrying a tray of delicate pastries. "Whoops,my bad!"

As she retreated toward a quieter corner of the garden, heart pounding, Seraphina muttered to herself, "Ten out of ten for effort. Zero out of ten for execution. Why did I say 'goals'? Who says that to a princess?"

But underneath the panic, a small, rebellious smile tugged at her lips.

She'd done it. Apologized. Broken the script a little.

Maybe she wouldn't die at twenty-one after all.

But wait .....

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