The door opened to reveal the Duchess, her mother. Her stormy grey eyes softened when they met Selena's, but there was a glimmer of something else there- curiosity, perhaps even concern.
"Selena," Evelyn said warmly as she entered the room.
She glanced at the bookshelf before sitting gracefully on the edge of the bed. "You've been quiet since breakfast. I wanted to see if you're all right."
Selena stiffened slightly. She wasn't used to this level of attention. In her past life, no one cared enough to ask how she was feeling, and it left her unsure of how to respond.
"I'm fine, Mother," Selena said, forcing a small smile.
Evelyn's brows knitted together. "Are you sure? I've noticed a change in you lately. And after what happened with Nicholas..." Her expression darkened. "That man had the audacity to turn you away so rudely after you travelled so far to see him. I won't stand for it."
Selena felt a flicker of warmth at her mother's protectiveness, but she quickly reminded herself that this wasn't her real mother. Evelyn's concern was for the old Selena, not her. Still, she knew she had to tread carefully.
"It's... All right," Selena said cautiously. "It's better this way..."
Evelyn's eyes narrowed. "Better? He's your fiancé, Selena. His behaviour was unacceptable."
Selena hesitated, trying to think of a way to explain her sudden change in perspective without arousing suspicion. She couldn't very well tell her mother that she was a completely different person who had no intention of clinging to a loveless engagement.
Finally, she decided on a half-truth. "Mother... I've been feeling strange lately," She said slowly. "I think something happened to me..."
Evelyn's concern deepened. "Strange how?"
Selena took a deep breath. "I don't remember everything clearly. Some memories are... fuzzy. It feels like there's a fog in my mind."
Her mother's eyes widened. "Are you saying you've lost your memory?"
"Not entirely," Selena lied, hoping her explanation was convincing. "I remember some things, but others are... Missing. It's like pieces of a puzzle that don't quite fit together anymore."
Evelyn reached out and placed a hand on Selena's. "Why didn't you tell me this sooner? You've been carrying this burden alone?"
Selena looked down, feigning guilt. "I didn't want to worry you. Besides, I know that you're my mother... That's all I needed to know to feel safe."
Evelyn's grip on her hand tightened. "Selena..." Evelyn was touched! She welcomed this change in her daughter, it was like... She became her old self again. "You're my daughter, Selena. Of course, I would worry. This is serious. We'll call for the royal physician at once."
"No!" Selena said quickly, then softened her tone when she saw her mother's startled expression. "I mean... I don't think a physician can help. It's not a physical problem. I just probably need some time for my memories to return."
Evelyn studied her for a moment, then nodded reluctantly. "If that's what you want. But promise me you'll tell me if it gets worse."
"I promise," Selena said, relieved that her mother seemed to believe her.
Evelyn's gaze softened. "You've always been strong-willed, Selena. I've seen that strength in you since you were a child. But lately... There's a gentleness to you that I haven't seen in a long time."
Selena's heart sank. She realized her mother was comparing her to the old Selena, the one who had been cruel and volatile. She didn't know how to respond, so she simply nodded.
Evelyn smiled faintly. "Perhaps this change isn't such a bad thing after all." She stood, smoothing her skirts. "I'll leave you to rest. If you need anything, don't hesitate to call for me."
"Thank you, Mother," Selena said, watching as Evelyn left the room.
As soon as the door closed behind her, Selena let out a deep breath. She didn't realise how tense she was around her mother.
She pulled the diary from under her pillow and stared at it, her mind racing.
She had managed to buy herself some time, but she knew it wouldn't last forever. Eventually, people would start asking questions- her family, the staff, even Nicholas. She needed to figure out more about this world and her place in it before that happened.
With a determined sigh, Selena set the diary aside and turned her attention back to the bookshelf. If the answers weren't in the diary, maybe they were hidden among the other books.
Selena rummaged through the bookshelf, pulling out book after book, but none offered the answers she sought. The titles, while intriguing, were largely useless in her quest to understand her new reality.
The diary with its strange language had already proved a dead end, and her patience was beginning to wear thin. She sighed and leaned against the bookshelf, her eyes scanning the remaining rows for anything remotely helpful.
That was when she noticed it- a neatly folded piece of parchment tucked between two volumes of romance novels. Her brows furrowed as she reached for it, pulling it free. The parchment was thick and luxurious, sealed with a crest she didn't recognise.
Why would someone hide this here? She wondered. Her curiosity piqued. Selena opened the letter easily, the seal was already broken. The elegant calligraphy was instantly recognizable as an invitation.
Selena blinked at the invitation, her mind racing. A royal ball? That would mean mingling with the nobility—the very same people who likely detested her for her past actions. Her stomach churned at the thought of their whispers, their judgmental stares boring into her back.
Old habits die hard. As much as she'd like to tell herself that she didn't care about what people thought of her... She did. She cared! She was trying her best to not care but those whispers would haunt her. She sighed to herself...
She scanned the text again and noticed the sender: Crown Prince Adrien. That explained the invitation. Adrien was one of the few people in this world who hadn't openly despised Selena.
This was as good as a royal summons. She had to go.