Selena was not too affected by her bitter brother's comments. He was simply a bug she did not care about. And if you swat a bug, your hand will get dirty. She decided to ignore him now and forever.
The grand entrance to the palace was bustling with activity. Nobles dressed in their finest attire milled about, exchanging pleasantries and waiting to be announced. The atmosphere was electric, the air filled with the hum of conversation and the occasional burst of laughter.
It is time...
Selena took a moment to compose herself, her expression shifting into one of calm confidence. She looped her arm through Alex's once more, and together they ascended the steps.
Lucien trailed behind, his irritation mounting with every step. He wasn't sure what bothered him more: the idea of his sister parading around with some stranger or the fact that she seemed genuinely happy.
When they reached the top of the stairs, the steward announced their arrival. "The Duke Whitlock and Lady Selena Whitlock..." His voice trailed off as he glanced at Alex, not knowing how to announce him.
The announcement drew a wave of attention. Heads turned, and conversations paused as the crowd took in the sight of Selena and her companion.
Selena met the curious gazes with ease, her chin held high. She was used to being the centre of attention, and tonight was no exception.
She wondered if Alex would feel uncomfortable, he was out of his element of course. But to her surprise, he wasn't worried at all.
He stood with confidence, with a playful smile on his face. It looked like he was in his natural element.
Lucien stood to the side, his foul mood didn't dissipate in the slightest.
As she descended the stairs, she could see the shock on their faces. She smiled to herself in victory. Her dress was scandalous enough to catch everyone's attention including the main character...
The Northern Duke stood at the far end of the grand ballroom, a drink in his hand, surrounded by a cluster of nobles engaged in light chatter.
Their words blended into a meaningless hum, none of it significant enough to capture his attention. His sharp eyes scanned the room lazily, his irritation simmering just below the surface. He regretted coming to the capital. He always did.
The grand chandelier above illuminated the glittering room, casting a glow over the swirling gowns and polished shoes of the attendees. The music was lively, the atmosphere festive, but the Duke felt none of it.
He heard her name before he saw her.
The Northern Duke took a measured sip of his drink, pretending not to notice. He was already irritated, and dealing with Selena Whitlock was the last thing he wanted tonight. His week had been gruelling enough without adding her antics to the mix.
But then he noticed the shift.
The room's atmosphere subtly changed. Conversations grew quieter as heads turned toward the entrance. A ripple of intrigue spread through the crowd, whispers growing louder as people craned their necks to get a better look.
"Who's that man with her?" Someone murmured nearby.
"And what is she wearing?"
The Duke gritted his teeth, his patience fraying. He didn't want to deal with another evening of Selena's attention-seeking theatrics, but the rising buzz around her made it impossible to ignore. His annoyance mounted until he couldn't stop himself. Slowly, reluctantly, he turned his head.
And there she was.
Selena Whitlock descended the stairs with the ease of someone born to command attention. But this was not the Selena he remembered. Gone were the dark, brooding colours she had once favoured—the shades that had made her look like a shadow haunting the edges of high society.
Instead, she wore silver-white, a gown that shimmered with every step she took, catching the light like molten moonlight.
The fabric clung to her figure elegantly, flowing like water as she moved. The soft hues made her appear ethereal, almost untouchable, and her confident smile only added to the effect.
The Duke's jaw tightened.
What is she wearing?
It wasn't just the colour that caught his attention—it was the design. The dress was far from conventional, with a daring slit that revealed just enough of her leg as she moved, drawing gazes from every corner of the room.
The neckline dipped lower than propriety dictated, yet it remained tasteful enough to avoid outright scandal.
She looked stunning, radiant even.
And he hated it.
Selena's transformation was more than just a change in wardrobe. She had always been beautiful, but this was different. She no longer looked like the cold, calculating woman he had known. She looked almost... Innocent. Pure.
But he knew better.
The thought made him scoff. Innocent? Her? Don't make me laugh.
Selena Whitlock was many things, but innocent wasn't one of them. The Duke's eyes narrowed as he watched her make her way across the ballroom, her head held high. She was fully aware of the effect she was having, the trail of whispers and stunned gazes she left in her wake.
And then there was the man beside her.
The Duke's gaze shifted to her companion, a tall man with sharp features and a confident demeanour. His posture was relaxed but attentive, his arm linked with Selena's in a way that suggested familiarity.
Who is he?
The question gnawed at him. Selena had never been one to bring a companion to these events, especially not a man. The sight of her with someone new—a stranger—was unsettling.
He immediately started going through the names of the nobles he knew. None could come to his mind that would fit the picture. His eyes narrowed and he remained calm.
Seeing how she was flaunting him, he was sure that she would reveal his identity soon enough.
Is this a new ploy to get my attention?
The thought made his irritation flare. He set his drink down with a little more force than necessary, ignoring the curious glance from one of the nobles nearby.
Pathetic.