My dreams have always been about the pain of my years of training. I spent an entire year in the Liddicoat's family house. It is where their family library stands, underneath that big, old house. And there, I scour ancient tomes and scrolls, learning more spells that might come in handy when my quest for revenge starts.

In my dream, my fingers will dance over different parchments, tracing the arcane symbols and incantations of long-lost spells. Caius also provided me with seers, monks and alchemists. And because they are being blackmailed by the vampire prince, they are forced to share their techniques with me - all poultices, elixirs and enchantments.

But handy techniques and skills are not the only things I peruse. I also worked on my skills of using powerful and potent spells, like that powerful sleeping spell.

'Revenge is worth any price,' I will say to motivate myself, when things have become so hard.

And then, my dream will transport to an island, where I spent another year of training - to make my body more durable and more resistant. There, I would summon different elements at the behest of Caius' master, who also became my master.

The old man's name is Vincere, who would always tell me that I should learn to properly control my magic during combat, not just to unleash it on great bursts. He always said that it's not the only way to overwhelm an opponent.

In the first week, I would always tell him that 'Control takes time' and things like 'Time is a luxury I don't have.'

Which the old man will answer with a, 'Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither will your mastery be achieved overnight.'

Or sometimes, it will be a 'You are more than your scars, Serra. You are a force to be reckoned with.'

It all depends on the current situation. Like for example, during my final task, I was surrounded by rogue vampires and almost died, because Vincere never even considered helping me.

Still, on the sideline, he is chanting the words, 'Adapt, survive, conquer, Serra.'

I wonder how Caius had grown into a happy-go-lucky man with Vincere as his master?

********************

My eyes flutter open at the first rays of sunlight that are piercing through the cracks of the window shutters. I groggily sit up, my head throbbing with a dull ache. It's another very long, but familiar dream.

As I stretch, I catch sight of myself in the small but elegant mirror on the wall.

Disfigured. Twisted. Unrecognizable.

As I stare at my face, I see that it's getting worse. I am getting uglier by the second. Why?!

My skin is being further marred by angry scars and puckered burns, and then it starts to crisscross over my face like a grotesquely growing spider web. I raise a trembling hand to touch my cheek and I feel the rough texture beneath my fingertips.

The sight makes my stomach churn, bile rising in my throat. I can't help when a shrill scream escapes my mouth.

And then I wake up - really wake up to my reality. I rise up and stand in front of the mirror. I heave a sigh of relief when I see that my reflection is still well-hidden by glamour.

These dreams, they're not leaving me soon. No. Not until I take my revenge!

There is a knock and then the door opens. Gideon, my fuck-up husband, comes in. He looks worried as his eyes go to my bed. And not finding me on the bed, his eyes scour the room until his gaze settles on me. A sigh of relief escapes his lips at the same time that his shoulders relax.

"There you are..." Gideon whispers. "Are you okay? I heard a scream."

I look at Gideon, his eyes are clouded with worry for me, and I stop myself from snorting.

"Just a nightmare, that's all," I tell him, trying to keep my voice steady. My heart is still racing from the dream, and the grotesque scars are still fresh in my mind.

"I'm okay now," I add, brushing a strand of hair out of my eyes and forcing a smile.

He frowns, not convinced, but nods anyway. Perhaps it's because he doesn't want to push it further, or else he is going to bring up all his wrongs that he won't be able to apologize for in this lifetime.

Instead, Gideon approaches and wraps his arms around me in a comforting embrace. He then places a soft kiss on my forehead - a gesture that feels so misplaced and hollow in everything he has done to me.

"You should go back to bed, Serra," Gideon murmurs into my hair. "It's not yet time for breakfast."

I shake my head, pulling away from him with a small smile that doesn't quite reach my eyes. "I can't sleep anymore."

I walk over to the window and pull open the shutters, allowing the faint morning light to stream in. The sight of the sparkling dew-kissed grass is beautiful, it always is, but it stirs no joy within me... at least, not anymore.

"Serra..." he begins, his voice a low rumble. "About the past. I apologize for all the wrongs I've done to you. Our relationship might not be the same as before, but I promise you that I will treat you better now."

I shift my attention to him again. Of course, our relationship won't be the same as before. I'm not as gullible and stupid as before. This time, I will have the upper hand.

"I..." I start, but paused to pretend that I am hesitating. "Your words are unexpected," I say, being careful with each word.

"I know, but I-"

"It's fine," I say, raising my hand to stop him. "When I planned to return, I... I have already decided to forgive you."

Gideon's eyes lit up. He moves closer to me and takes a hold of my hand.

"Serra," he whispers, his voice filled with gratitude. "As we restart, there might be lingering resentment in your heart... But I will do my best to rebuild the trust between us."

What 'trust' between us? There is nothing like that before, and definitely nothing now. Still, I nod and give him a faint smile.

"To start anew, we need to let go of the past. We both deserve a chance to move forward."

I almost vomit in disgust at the words I uttered. I may be unaware when people are taking advantage of me, but I am not that stupid!

He squeezes my hand gently, his expression softening. "Thank you, Serra. I promise to prove myself worthy of your love."

Then, he pulls me towards the chair and makes me sit. "There's also one other thing," he starts. "I've sent my concubines away - all but the pregnant ones."

If Gideon is really serious about treating me well, sending his concubines away is the bare minimum. I know that now, but if I were the same Serra as before, this piece of news would have made me feel especial. But now, it did nothing to quell my need for revenge.

"Children, huh..." I whisper. "We don't have one..."

"We can have one, if you like." He kneels before me and takes my hands in his again. "When I lost you, I needed to sire heirs, but now that you're back, we can try again."

It was not so long ago that I was desperate for a child, but now, every thought of it fills me with hatred, remembering how the child in my belly died due to all the stress and pain of being his wife.

"I can't... right now," I answer in a small voice. "I don't want my child to get embroiled in an inheritance war, especially with all your other concubines..."

He squeezes my hand. "They won't be!"

'They?' Don't tell me he plans to have more than one child with me?! The thought alone repulses me!

"Only your child and mine will be able to inherit the throne." He takes a deep breath and adds, "You are my only Luna, Serra. And soon, you will be my only Queen."

He presses his forehead on the back of my hand, and so my eyes harden as I look down at his crouching form between my knees.

"And what of your other children?" I ask, stopping myself to add if he will abandon them, now that he has no use for them - just as he did to me.

"They won't be forgotten," he says, inching closer to bury his face in my stomach. "But for our future children, whatever it takes, I will make sure that our child shall be yours and mine alone. They won't be used or manipulated by anyone, but they will still inherit my throne."

The sincerity in his words surprises me, but then again, this is the same man I once loved deeply. The man who once shattered my heart so completely that I am reduced to the person I am today.

And so, I push at his shoulders. I am becoming uncomfortable in the way he holds me close to him.

"Okay," I whisper. "Let's start anew, Gideon."

"Yes, Serra. A new beginning," he murmurs, lingering for a moment before he lifts himself up. His eyes find mine, his gaze burning with an intensity that I want him to hold as long as possible - all for the success of my plans.

*************

I stand in front of the door of the grand dining hall, dressed in an elegant blue gown that Gideon had prepared for me. I touch the skirt of the gown. Before, Gideon never chooses my dresses for public functions. He only ensured that my dresser was full of dresses that I could choose from.

And it's not because he was giving me freedom... It was because he doesn't care enough if his poor wife embarrasses herself in social events. In fact, it will be advantageous to him. Putting me in a bad light is beneficial for his search for a new wife - someone who is voluptuous, flawless and beautiful.

The only one who cares enough is his mother, who teaches me all there is to know on how to face the Dunkerson nobles.

I take a deep breath, and now, I am invited for lunch with him and his mother, the current Queen Marinella Dunkerson, who is holding the position until her son finds a new Queen. And so, as I take a deep breath, I wonder what the Queen is thinking about my sudden return.

Gideon takes my hand and gives it a reassuring squeeze, reminding me that I am beside him. I look up at him and smile. He smiles back and I almost frown at the way his happiness radiates from his entire being. It annoys me, and so I look away and focus my eyes on the door of the dining hall.

"This lunch is too formal," I comment.

Before, I can have lunch with Marinella even in our private rooms. It was all informal, too comfortable, and something that made me believe that she cared about me, too. Seems like that was never the case. She only cared for one thing - her precious son.

"You've been gone for a while," he defends. "And this will be the only time we will be formal about this. The next ones won't be like this."

Only time.

That's what it is. He had never enjoyed joining me and Marinella for our meals before.

The door opens and we walk inside. There is only one table in the room, but it is filled with an array of delicious dishes. Despite myself, the aroma makes my stomach grumble with hunger. Back in Liddicoat, I was never able to enjoy eating because I never grew used to their food. But then, what should I expect? Vampires don't share the same taste buds as Lycans or human mages.

As Gideon and I approach Queen Marinella, she greets me with a, "Welcome back, Serra." It is coupled with a smile that doesn't reach her eyes.

I smile back, hoping that my smile is more authentic than hers is. Now, I am certain that she is doubting the true intention of my return.

"It's good to see you again, Your Majesty," I reply politely as Gideon pulls out my chair for me - another unfamiliar gesture from him. He never once did it for me.

As we start our meal, Queen Marinella strikes up a conversation with me. She asks us about my trip from Liddicoat and how I am settling back into the Dunkerson palace. I answer her questions honestly, trying to keep a neutral tone and not reveal too much about my relationship with Caius Liddicoat - only painting him as a charitable second prince.

But as the conversation continues, Marinella suddenly asks, "Why did you come back to Dunkerson kingdom, Serra?" Her voice is gentle yet laced with suspicion. "And how did you really survive that tragedy?"

"I missed this place," I say without hesitation, skipping her last question, and hoping she would believe the lie. I also glance at Gideon and smile shyly. "And my life is here," I add.

Queen Marinella raises an eyebrow at my response before turning her gaze towards Gideon, who pauses from eating and is smiling so brightly. I feel like I will get blinded by him soon if he doesn't stop feeling this happy. His emotions are so open that I wonder how I was never able to notice his cheating before.

I look down at my food as a terrible answer crosses my mind - I was so deeply infatuated and in love with him, that is why I was so blinded. I was so foolish to give all my love to the wrong person.

But before I can dwell on these thoughts any longer, Gideon interjects, "I am surprised at her return as well, but I am very pleased to see you again, Serra, my wife."

Gideon's voice breaks me out of my trance and I glance up at him with a small smile. "Thank you, Gideon," I say.

Queen Marinella looks between the two of us with a doubtful expression on her face. "It seems like there is more to your story than meets the eye."

Gideon chuckles lightly and reaches for his glass of wine. "There's nothing more to say, mother," he says smoothly.

But Queen Marinella doesn't look convinced. "Well then, how about we play a little game?" she suggests.

I feel a knot form in my stomach as I turn to look at her. What kind of game is she talking about? And why does it sound so ominous?

"What kind of game?" Gideon asks.

"A truth or dare game," Queen Marinella declares, her eyes still fixed on mine.

The thought of the childish game almost makes my heart leap - that is, in its stupidity. Was I really this gullible that she thinks I will reveal all my secrets in such a foolish game?

"Okay..." I answer, as soft as possible.

Queen Marinella claps her hands together and orders for a bottle of wine to be brought out.

"Gideon?"

"Actually, mother," he begins in a serious tone. "I don't think this game is appropriate for Serra at this time. She needs some time to adjust and settle back into her life here."

I stop my brows from lifting. At least, he can already say NO to his mother. Before, whenever Marinella asks him to treat me better, he will grumble like a spoiled brat, but he will still do it.

"Come on, my dear child. A glass of wine and some harmless fun won't hurt, right?" she asks no one in particular. "Besides, wine is the color of blood, which I am pretty sure Serra had been familiar with when she was in Liddicoat."

Gideon looks taken aback by his mother's words, but quickly regains his composure. "Mother, you know that she wasn't turned into a vampire," he says. "I am certain you can sense that."

Queen Marinella shrugs. "Serra, what do you say?"

"It's alright, Gideon," I say with a small smile. "I don't mind playing a harmless game."

Queen Marinella's eyes light up and she pours each of us a glass of wine. "Excellent! Let the game begin," she declares.

"No, mother," he insists. "Why don't you just ask your questions to her directly?"

The tension in the room is thick as Queen Marinella looks between Gideon and I. I can tell that she's not used to her son defying her.

Then Marinella takes a deep breath and says, "Fine, you spoilsport of a son." She shifts her attention to me and asks, "Tell me, what was your time like in Liddicoat? Did you make any friends?"

I take a small sip on the wine and answer, "I was injured and sick the entire time, and when I was healthy enough, it was difficult to befriend the citizens there."

"And how about that Prince Caius?"

"He helped me adjust to my life there and he also showed me kindness," I tentatively say. "But he is still a prince. He was very busy and wasn't able to spend as much time with me. Besides, I am just a guest in Liddicoat kingdom. In fact, I stay in a separate house from the castle."

"Are you certain? Nothing happened between the two of you?" she insists.

"I am certain, my Queen," I reply calmly, as I feel Gideon's growing frustration.

"But before, I know for a fact that Prince Caius was infatuated with you. I thought that he-"

Gideon suddenly slams his glass on the table. It was a bit too hard that the wine glass almost shattered. Marinella and the servants turn to look at him in surprise.

"Serra and I will need to excuse ourselves," he says through gritted teeth.

Without waiting for a response from his mother, Gideon stands up and takes hold of my hand, pulling me up from my seat as well. He leaves the room in large strides, dragging me along behind him. As we exit the room, I cast a final glance towards Marinella. Her eyes are wide in shock, her fingers clutched tightly around her wineglass.

We stride down the corridor, my hand still firmly in Gideon's. When we reach a quiet corner, he finally lets go of my hand and leans against the wall with his eyes closed.

"I apologize for my mother's behavior," he says after a few moments of silence. "She can be quite persistent."

"It's alright," I say with a small smile. "I understand that she is just concerned for her son."

"I should have put a stop to it earlier."

"It's fine, Gideon," I assure him, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. I can feel the tautness in his muscles, like an uncoiled spring ready to snap at any moment. "I am really fine."

Besides, worrying about me this late of a game in our relationship, is just laughable.

He looks at me with a grateful expression. "You..." he whispers. "You have always been forgiving... I... Thank you, Serra, for understanding..."

I almost blow up at that. How can he say that I am forgiving?! After all the pain he caused me, is there really any woman alive who would still forgive this bastard?!

Thankfully, he thinks that there is... He thinks that the previous Serra still exists in this world.

"But Gideon, you cannot shield me from every line of inquiry," I say. "I also understand where all the questions are coming from."

He looks at me, his body getting more relaxed.

"Besides, if it becomes worse, I can just leave and not cause you any of my problems," I continue. "It's mine to begin with, anyway."

He suddenly feels apprehensive. "That's not the solution, Serra," he says quickly, alarm clear in his tone. "You leaving... It won't solve anything."

I look away from him. Intentionally, I bite my lip as I consider his words. "Gideon, I-" I begin, but he cuts me off.

"Serra, listen to me. Yes, my mother can be overbearing - she's had her way for too long and doesn't really know when to stop. But you are not the problem here."

His hands reach out and gently cup my face, guiding my eyes back to meet his. "Please don't think that you're causing me any trouble. You're not. And believe me, I can handle my mother now. You don't have to leave."

I stare into his eyes, searching for any hint of insincerity or hesitation. "And if it gets worse?" I ask.

Gideon shrugs confidently. "It won't, so please, Serra," he pleads softly. "Don't leave."

A small smile forms on my lips as I lean into him. "I have a request though," I say, looking up at him through my lashes.

"Anything," he replies.

"Yesterday, I embraced you," I say, increasing my body temperature so heat will rise to my cheeks. "Can I do that again?"

Gideon's lips twitch into a smile as he wraps his arms around me and pulls me close to his chest. "Of course," he says, his voice deep.

I tuck myself into his embrace. I can smell his familiar scent that I learned to hate. It's been awhile.

"I missed this too," Gideon murmurs against my hair, pressing a soft kiss on top of my head.

At his words, I know that he still wants me, even after we separated. Or maybe he only wants me because I was gone for a long time. But honestly, I think it's my talent in magic that he missed the most.

"I missed you too," I whisper back, resting my head against his chest.

And soon, he will really fall for me and when that time comes, it will be too late before he realizes that he lost everything to me - just as he stolen everything from me before.