The truth only Seraphine knows

Behind the sprawling manor lay a dense forest with towering trees that reached up to the sky. The duo appeared there, Seraphine staying a respectful distance of three steps behind Evan.

The canopy above was thick and lush, casting a dappled shade over the forest floor below and masking Evan's intention. As he came under the shadow, it seemed as if the suppression emanating from him had thickened, quadrupling. 

A bewildered glint flashed across Seraphine's sapphire eyes as she narrowed them while looking at his back.

Just a few days ago, it looked like she could read him like an open book, leading her to believe that she had him in the palms of her hand.

However, overnight, everything changed.

Her plans crumbled apart, and now she couldn't see through him at all.

In fact, what happened today made her misunderstand that he had been acting all along, showing weakness to fool not only her but also the entire empire!