Chapter 2

2

Bianca stood there, stunned.

She never expected me to cut her off like this.

Her hands clenched tightly, and she looked like she had been deeply wronged.

She dropped to her knees. "Princess, you are of noble blood. You shouldn't lower yourself to do such dangerous things."

I narrowed my eyes at her.

Bianca's nails were digging so hard into her palms they were drawing blood, yet she didn't flinch.

Instead, a sharp, stabbing pain shot through my own fingers.

"Are you implying that the General isn't worth my protection?" My voice was light, but it made her break into a cold sweat.

"Sera, that's enough…" Caleb couldn't stand it anymore and began to criticize me.

But I wasn't going to let it go.

"Caleb Sterling, think carefully. Is it going to be me or her?"

I didn't believe a power-hungry man like him would give up the chance to be the son-in-law of the Vance family.

But he didn't care. He slapped me hard across the face.

"Seraphina, you really disappoint me. Bianca is my savior."

Caleb was certain I wouldn't stay mad at him. I was waiting for this exact moment.

I thought my pain would transfer to Bianca if he hit me.

I stared at her face, trying to find any sign of discomfort.

There was nothing.

A burning, stinging pain radiated from my cheek. It hurt so much I wanted to cry.

Bianca suddenly rushed forward and stood in front of me. "General, please don't hurt the Princess! If you must hit someone, hit me!"

She acted like a loyal protector, and it almost made me laugh.

But right now, I didn't have the energy to deal with them. I turned and walked back to my room.

I ordered my maids to bring me every ancient book we had. I had to know what was happening to me.

As night fell, a piercing pain shot through my wrists.

Long, thin gashes began to appear on my skin.

It was Bianca!

A small cut even appeared on my face.

Just as I was about to call for a doctor, Caleb burst in. He scooped me up into his arms, his voice urgent. "Sera, how are you feeling?"

I didn't say a word. I didn't want to look at him.

He sighed with frustration. "Sera, don't take it too far. I'm already here to make it up to you."

I tried to push him away.

But the dizziness from the blood loss made me stop.

I cut him off and commanded, "I want to see Bianca Frost."

Confusion flashed in Caleb's eyes. He looked hesitant. "Bianca only did what she did to save me. Sera, stop being so jealous."

I didn't want to argue. I just repeated, "Bring her to me."

Only by seeing her could I understand what this curse was.

Fifteen minutes later.

I lay on the bed, my face pale as a ghost.

Bianca was kneeling on the floor, but her expression was smug.

She discreetly showed me a small knife in her hand and mouthed the word: "Fool."

As if showing off, she carved another line into her arm.

Agony ripped through me. I curled into a ball, shaking.

"How is this possible?" I screamed, bordering on hysteria.

My consciousness began to fade, and my head slumped against the pillow.

I heard Bianca let out a cold laugh.

"You'll never know why, because all of this is…"