The Saintess Who Rose Again

Alessa sat in the grand drawing room of the Montreau estate, the soft hum of conversation filling the air around her. The tea party was proving more fruitful than she had hoped. With each interaction, she sowed the seeds of alliances she would need in the future.

Lord Varien had taken the bait; his cautious interest in her proposal for fairness in trade tariffs was evident. Others, like Lady Montreau, seemed charmed by her sudden maturity and sharp wit. Still, there were those who looked at her with suspicion—nobles who had benefitted from Seraphina's manipulations in her past life.

They'll need more convincing, she thought, sipping her tea.

After making her rounds, Alessa excused herself and stepped onto the balcony for a moment of quiet. The garden below was alive with blooming flowers and the soft buzz of bees. She leaned against the railing, allowing herself a moment to breathe.

But her solitude didn't last long.

"I didn't expect to see you here," a voice said behind her.

Alessa turned, her eyes narrowing slightly as she recognized the speaker. Standing in the doorway was Damian Caldir, the youngest son of the Duke of Caldir. In her previous life, Damian had been one of the few nobles who remained neutral during her downfall. He was clever and unpredictable—a wildcard she couldn't ignore.

"Lord Damian," she said, curtsying politely. "It's been some time."

He smiled, though it didn't reach his sharp gray eyes. "Indeed. You seem… different, Lady Alessa."

"So I've been told," she replied smoothly. "I could say the same about you. I hear you've returned from your studies abroad?"

Damian nodded, stepping closer. "Yes, and it seems I've come back to quite the spectacle. Everyone is talking about the young lady of House Elorin—how she's suddenly become so charming and astute. Quite the change, wouldn't you agree?"

Alessa held his gaze, her expression calm. "Change is often necessary for survival, my lord."

His smirk deepened. "Wise words. I wonder, though, what has inspired such a transformation?"

She tilted her head slightly, letting the silence stretch just long enough to pique his curiosity. "Perhaps it's better to leave some questions unanswered, Lord Damian. It keeps things interesting, doesn't it?"

For a moment, his amusement faltered, replaced by something unreadable. Then, with a small bow, he said, "Perhaps it does. I look forward to seeing how interesting you can become, Lady Alessa."

As he walked away, Alessa's mind raced. Damian was dangerous—not because he was her enemy, but because he was unpredictable. If she couldn't secure his loyalty, she would have to ensure he remained neutral.

One step at a time, she reminded herself.