4 New Beginning

She walked out of her room.

"Sera... Are you well?" Kara quickly ran towards her and asked. Sera nodded, giving a pleasant smile.

"I needed to change my dress... it was a bit... too much," she said, and Kara chuckled.

"Yeah, I knew you would not like it. Your father is waiting in the hall, you should talk to him. A lot happened. I believe that we need to have a talk as well," she said the latter with a stern voice.

The petite woman earned a brief nod from Sera. She thought no more before walking away from the girl and meeting the man of the house, who was now her father.

"Sera," he said with a sad smile that did not even reach his eyes.

Sera immediately understood that he was dwelling on how her mother died at the hands of the mysterious man.

"I'm so sorry, Si," he said and pulled her in for a hug. Sera felt the tears streaming down his face. "I... I couldn't save her... I saw him rip her apart right in front of my eyes... It was horrible. It was just... horrible. I wish I could take everything back. What could we ever do without her?"

Sera softly rubbed her father's back. Although he was not exactly her father, she felt the pain the poor man was going through. If she lost her real mother, this wouldn't be the only way she would weep. She would make sure that she gets revenge from the people who murdered the innocent woman. But on the other hand, she was kind to everyone. She was not someone who let unclean things shine, which was also why she was a strong queen to her kingdom before, when she was Jane.

"I'm sorry, Sera. You lost your mother because of me-" the man started to sob again.

"Sera, you should go take a walk outside. There is too much here. I will take care of him. Go."

A man walked inside, wearing grey robes. A grey robe that was a tunic made of wool that fell to the knee, with long sleeves and a loose fit. It was belted at his waist with a leather strap.

She felt as if the man rescued her from the tears that pooled in her eyes.

"Take care of him..." Sera said silently and walked outside. Her voice was coarse. She felt a sting as soon as the words left her lips.

As she walked outside, she saw the sun shining brightly. She had slept for far too long. A glimpse of hope clouded her heart. Things were bad as they started, but she knew that there must be something she could do.

"What were you doing, Seraphina?" Kara's voice came out of nowhere.

It took some time for Sera to realize that Kara was asking her. 'Seraphina' was not something Sera was used to. She knew she needed to get used to it, or time would support her.

Her tone of voice was rather angry, which made Seraphina question what she was asking about.

"Hmm? What are you talking about?" Sera asked calmly.

"What were you doing with the Oleander leaves? Whatever happened with Damian? And...you were acting strange...why?" she asked. "I have so many questions, Sera! So many!"

Her eyes were piercing through her soul as if she was begging for answers. Begging her to say what was going on. Begging her to be real with her. Sera sighed, feeling stuck in the situation.

"Whatever I'd do, it would be to benefit all of us. So, do not worry about it..." Sera whispered.

Kara's expression changed quickly. For the little time she had gotten to know Kara, she realized that Kara was one feisty woman. She knew that Kara understood her priorities and acted accordingly. This made her remind herself—when she was Jane.

"However, how could you say such a thing? What are you planning, Sera? If you don't tell me, I'll talk to your father and keep you inside," Kara's concern was evident in her words.

Sera immediately shook her head.

"I'll tell you, I will," she said and gave a playful smile.

"What do you have in mind, Sera?" Kara asked back.

Sera had plenty in mind, but she knew better than to reveal everything in her mind. Before anything, she knew she wanted to take a look around the kingdom. And she needed little to many things to start her new life here, as a commoner in a kingdom filled with magic. As delusional as it may sound to her.

"Kara... Do me a favor..."

Kara's eyes widened in question.

"I want you to take me around the kingdom. Show me everything that's here...except the palace."

"What? Why?" she asked, giving a weird look. "You were never interested in stepping outside the village, why do you need to go out?"

Sera looked away and shook her head, a tiny smile dancing on her lips. "With my mother passing away, I realized that there is more to life. And as hard as it may sound to believe, I need to distract myself. But... Uh, can you?" she asked, giving a pleading look to her friend. "Please?"

From the way Kara looked back at her, Sera knew that Kara was not a fan of her newfound passions, or simply put, she knew Kara did not completely like her. Yet, she couldn't help but ask for what she had to. She knew she guilt-tripped her, yet there were a lot of things to see.

Again, she was a survivor. She needed to absorb everything in order to survive. She needed to believe that everything happening to her was real and nothing else was attached.

-

A few minutes later, Kara and Sera strolled through the grassy grounds of the stables, surrounded by the sounds of horses neighing and the scent of fresh hay. The sun shone brightly overhead, casting a warm glow on everything around them.

Kara stopped in front of a row of horses and turned to Sera. "Choose any horse you like. We'll need them to explore the kingdom."

Sera's eyes widened at the sight of the majestic creatures before her. She had ridden various horses before when she was queen and had even taken part in jousting training. But a newfound excitement stirred within her as she gazed upon the magnificent beasts.

Approaching the nearest one, a brown mare with a black mane, she reached out to stroke it gently.

The horse nuzzled her hand, and Sera couldn't help but smile. "She's beautiful," she said, looking up at Kara.

Kara nodded. "Yes, she is. That's Midnight. She's fast and reliable but can be a bit stubborn at times."

Sera glanced at the other horses but found her eyes repeatedly drawn back to Midnight. "I think I'll choose her," she said at last.

Kara grinned. "Good choice. I'll help you saddle her up."

With a little help from Kara, Sera mounted Midnight and began to walk around the grounds, getting used to the horse. It seemed that Midnight was also enjoying having Sera on her back.

"She likes you!" Kara yelled from atop a white horse. "Daisy is faster than any of the horses here, and she's very friendly too!" Kara patted Daisy, the horse she was riding.

As she watched Sera on Midnight, so free and relaxed, Kara began to view her in a different light.

"She seems nice. When do we leave?" Sera asked, interrupting Kara's thoughts.

"Tomorrow, before dusk. I'll ask your father for permission. Until then, you can explore the territory. I have to head back now, but be ready tomorrow at five, okay?" Kara asked, her gaze fixed on Sera.

Sera nodded with a smile, gently nudged Midnight, and turned the horse around to explore the area.

To her surprise, Seraphina found herself feeling positively about Kara as she observed her acting so freely. She wondered if the stressed-out Kara she had encountered earlier inside the house was simply overwhelmed and burdened.

She nodded with a smile, gently urging Midnight forward, and began to explore the surroundings.

"Oh, and don't stay out too late! Return soon!" Kara called out after her.

Sera knew she wouldn't stay out too late. Witnessing the effortless death of the woman had made her aware that venturing beyond the territory would pose a similar risk to her own life.

"Let's go, girl!" Sera headed towards the woods, a wide grin adorning her face.