Astor returned to his room without anyone noticing. As he closed the door, he leaned his back against it and slid down until he was sitting on the floor. The adrenaline that had kept him alert until then was quickly fading, leaving exhaustion in its wake. Every muscle in his body ached, and the minor wounds he bore reminded him how close he had come to disaster. Even so, he could only silently thank his luck for returning alive. He had made grave mistakes—he had underestimated Selene, and that could have cost him far more than just defeat.
"I'm an idiot," he muttered, rubbing his face with both hands as frustration surged through him.
With no energy left to think further, he struggled to his feet and removed his dirt-stained clothes. He changed into his pajamas and lay on the bed. Though daylight still streamed through the windows, he had no intention of going out. Lady Eleonor had been clear: he was to stay in his room today, and he wouldn't risk ignoring her orders. In his mind, he quickly drafted a plan: rest, recover, and then decide how to handle the threat of Selene Drakenfell.
While he tried to rest, downstairs in the castle's great hall, the arrival of Selene Drakenfell was met with all the spectacle Lady Eleonor could muster. The matriarch of the Valenford family spared no effort in welcoming the Swamp Baroness, displaying a warmth that sharply contrasted with her usual coldness. Edmund, as expected, donned his finest armor and an arrogant smile, confident that everything would go his way.
Selene, on the other hand, remained cold and distant, just as her reputation described her. Despite Lady Eleonor's attempts to impress her, the baroness remained impassive, limiting herself to nodding or answering with monosyllables.
"It is an honor to have you in our home, Lady Selene. My son Edmund has been eager to meet you," Eleonor said with a charming smile, taking her eldest son's hand and lifting it as if presenting a trophy.
"It is an honor," Selene repeated in a low, emotionless voice.
An awkward silence followed, but Lady Eleonor, adept at manipulating any situation to her advantage, continued speaking without losing her composure. She filled the conversation with praises for Edmund, highlighting his battlefield achievements and leadership skills. However, the discussion took an unexpected turn.
"Forgive my question, but do you happen to know of any skilled archers in this region?" Selene asked sincerely.
The hall fell into an uneasy silence. Those present exchanged puzzled glances, wondering what could have sparked such an interest. A servant, thinking it was an opportunity to make a joke, chuckled and said:
"The only archer we know is Astor, the useless one."
The comment drew a few stifled laughs, but not from Lady Eleonor. The matriarch slowly turned her head toward the servant, her expression hardening, and the entire room fell silent.
"Someone punish him for his insolence," she ordered in a cold, low voice, her authority unquestionable.
As the servant was removed from the hall, Selene watched the scene intently. Her interest was fully piqued. Edmund, noticing the curiosity in the baroness's eyes, decided to intervene.
"My brother Astor... is a noble, but he chooses a coward's weapon like the bow," he said disdainfully. "Though he tries to use it, he has no talent or skill—he's the complete opposite of someone capable."
Selene raised an eyebrow at the remark. To her, anyone wielding a weapon, regardless of type, could not be considered a coward, so Edmund's words irked her. What bothered her more, however, was how easily Edmund dismissed his brother—family, no less. Still, the idea of a noble using a bow as their primary weapon intrigued her.
"Interesting. I would like to meet this Astor," she said finally, her tone firm but emotionless.
Lady Eleonor had no choice but to nod, though it was clearly not part of her plan.
"I will summon him," she said, hiding her displeasure behind a forced smile.
In his room, Astor was resting quietly when he heard a soft knock at the door. His mother's summons caught him completely off guard. He stood, his heart racing, and remained still for a moment, weighing his options. Had he been discovered? The thought unsettled him, but escaping was not an option—not now.
He took a deep breath to steady himself and dressed in formal attire, choosing a dark, elegant outfit that contrasted with the simplicity of his pajamas. He glanced at himself in the mirror, adjusting the collar of his jacket. The reflection staring back at him was that of an impeccable noble, but his eyes betrayed his uncertainty.
"It's just another performance," he reminded himself softly.
Finally, he opened the door and followed the servant waiting outside. As he walked through the castle's long corridors, each step felt heavier. This summons was an unanticipated danger, and now he had to face it without revealing anything. It wouldn't be easy, but he had spent his entire life hiding who he truly was. This was just another day.
When he arrived at the hall, all eyes turned to him. Lady Eleonor observed him with a mix of disapproval and suspicion, while Edmund smirked arrogantly. But it was Selene who captured his attention: her expression was serene, though her dark eyes scrutinized him with calculated interest.
Astor crossed the threshold of the great hall with his expression carefully composed, a mask of timidity and submission. His steps were deliberately slow, as if weighed down by the apathy he always feigned. He barely raised his gaze to meet the stares of those present: his mother's cold impatience, Edmund's smug grin, and Selene Drakenfell's calm yet piercing scrutiny.
With a modest gesture, Astor bowed his head in respect.
"Lady Drakenfell. Brother. Mother." His voice was low, barely audible, as if each word required effort.
Lady Eleonor shot him a disapproving look at his subdued tone but maintained her composure.
"Astor, Lady Selene has requested your presence." The matriarch spoke with the distant courtesy of someone introducing someone irrelevant.
Astor inclined his head slightly toward Selene, avoiding direct eye contact.
"It is an honor to meet you, Baroness." Though his voice was soft and polite, it carried the submission he had mastered over the years.
Edmund seized the opportunity to intervene, his tone laced with disdain and malice.
"Selene is curious about your... skills with the bow, brother." The mocking smile accompanying his words was impossible to miss. "I thought it would be an excellent opportunity to showcase your 'talents'." The insinuation in his tone drew muffled laughter from a few servants and relatives in the room.
Astor felt a twinge of unease beneath his skin. Edmund's words were venom disguised as jest, but his main concern was Selene. If the baroness had begun to suspect that he was the archer who attacked her earlier, this demonstration could be his undoing. What if she recognized something in his style?
However, he could not afford to show any doubt. His performance had to be flawless, as always. He took a deep breath and managed a small, insecure smile, as if embarrassed by the request.
"I'm not sure that's... necessary, brother." He paused, lowering his gaze with a touch of false modesty. "My skills are nothing special; I wouldn't want to shame our family."
"Don't worry about that. We're already accustomed to your mediocrity," Edmund retorted with a mocking grin.
Selene remained silent, but the way she watched him was unsettling. She didn't seem to share Edmund's laughter or disdain. There was a glimmer of genuine curiosity in her gaze, something Astor hadn't anticipated.
"I wouldn't mind seeing it," Selene said finally, her tone cold and direct. "It's rare for nobles to choose the bow. It's interesting."
Astor felt his stomach tighten, but his expression barely changed. He kept his head low, as if hesitant to accept the request. Every movement was calculated to convey shyness and discomfort—the perfect act of the weak noble.
"I don't think it's a good idea, truly..." he murmured, letting his voice trail off in a faint refusal.
"Come on, brother. Don't be so modest," Edmund said, crossing his arms and relishing the moment. "What better time to show off your skills than in front of someone as versed in warfare as the Lady of the Swamp?"
Astor wrestled internally. He knew this demonstration wasn't just a mockery from his brother; it was also an opportunity to protect his façade. If he failed intentionally, it would reinforce his image of incompetence and divert any suspicion about his earlier encounter with Selene.
After a carefully measured pause, he sighed and lifted his gaze with feigned resignation.
"If you insist... I'll try," he said with a faint, nervous smile, as though yielding under pressure.
Edmund laughed with satisfaction, convinced that this spectacle would only reinforce his superiority. Lady Eleonor, though more restrained, watched the situation attentively. Selene, meanwhile, kept her gaze fixed on Astor, saying nothing further.
A servant was quickly sent out by a bow and some arrows. While they waited, Astor stood still, almost absent, as if the event didn't matter to him. Inside, however, his mind worked frantically, going over every gesture and every word he should use so as not to arouse suspicion.
"This will be interesting," Edmund murmured quietly, loud enough for Selene to hear. She, however, did not react to his provocation.