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.
He had seen this kind of behaviour before. Women in society often resorted to elaborate schemes to capture his interest, from carefully orchestrated meetings to dramatic public displays.
He had thought Selena was above such nonsense, but it seemed he had overestimated her. She was just like everyone else, and if not, worse.
Seeing her bully the woman he loved time and again... The only feeling he held for her was hate. A kind of hate that would never dissipate unless something dramatic happened.
The Duke's mood darkened as he watched her move through the crowd, her companion staying close by her side. She laughed lightly at something he said, the sound carrying just far enough to reach the Duke's ears.
She's enjoying this, he thought bitterly. Of course, she is.
He knew her too well to fall for the facade. Hah, it was so exhausting. He could not wait to meet with the King and get his engagement annulled. If the Crown prince was not keen on being such an obstacle, he wouldn't have to do this.
Selena Whitlock was as manipulative as ever, and tonight she was playing her cards with precision.
The realisation didn't make it any easier to look away.
He found himself watching her every move, his irritation mingling with something he couldn't quite name. Despite himself, he couldn't deny that she looked... Different. The change wasn't just in her appearance—it was in the way she carried herself.
Selena had always been confident, but tonight she exuded a kind of power that was impossible to ignore. It wasn't the clingy, arrogance he was used to. This was something warmer, something almost magnetic.
It made him uncomfortable. He tried his best to look away but the way she leaned in her companion's arms infuriated him. No shame... No sense of shame at all!
Nearby, another noble leaned closer to his companion, whispering behind a gloved hand. The Duke caught snippets of their conversation.
"Did you see her dress? She looks like a completely different person."
"And that man! Who is he? I don't recognise him." They did not know who Selena's companion was either...
The Duke's frown deepened. The whispers were getting louder, and he could feel the weight of the room's collective curiosity bearing down on him.
Some of them looked at him with pity while others looked like he was part of the show. His fists clenched. For the first time, he felt how Selena felt. Humiliated, to say the least.
Whenever he brought Clara, she had to endure similar stares and whispers, now it was his turn.
He yelled at one of them to shut up. This did not escape Selena's eyes. She smiled in victory. The more you are triggered by the piece of gossip, the more it'll spread. And now, he feels the pain.
Selena, of course, seemed unfazed. She smiled graciously at the nobles who approached her, exchanging pleasantries with practised ease. Her companion remained by her side, his presence steady and reassuring.
The Duke's irritation reached its peak when he saw the Crown Prince step onto the dance floor with Clara.
The sight made his blood boil.
The Crown Prince was well aware of the Duke's connection to Clara—well aware of the feelings that still lingered, no matter how much the Duke tried to bury them in the past. But after a point, he stopped hiding them.
The Crown Prince was hindering him on purpose, he shouldn't have to hide anything.
And yet here he was, dancing with her as if it meant nothing.
The Duke turned back to Selena, his mood darkening further.
What a night this is turning out to be, he thought bitterly.
He didn't want to stay. He didn't want to deal with Selena's games or the Prince's taunts. But leaving now would only give them the satisfaction of knowing they had gotten under his skin.
So he stayed, his gaze following Selena as she moved gracefully through the room.
She was playing a dangerous game, and he intended to find out exactly what she was up to.
Selena stood amidst the crowd, her mind buzzing with the mundane conversation of the baroness and her circle. The noblewomen around her spoke with a forced politeness, their words barely concealing their discomfort.
She could sense their unease, their desire to tread carefully in her presence. The daughter of a baron had no real power, but she wasn't foolish enough to risk slighting Selena Whitlock.
No matter how much they might have disliked her reputation, they had to feign friendliness to survive court society.
As the music swelled, the tension seemed to rise. One of the noblewomen, clearly looking for an escape, offered an apologetic smile and said, "My partner and I will be dancing. It was a pleasure speaking with you, Lady Selena."
The others quickly echoed her sentiments, bowing politely before scattering toward the dance floor. Selena let them go without protest.
She exhaled softly, relieved to have a moment's reprieve. Socialising at events like these had never been her strength, and tonight's ball was no exception.
Despite her bold entrance and carefully chosen attire, Selena wasn't as confident as she appeared.
Her gaze wandered briefly, catching sight of the Northern Duke. He was watching her, his cold gaze unwavering and sharp as a blade.
His scrutiny made her skin prickle, but she refused to let it show. Selena turned away, focusing instead on Alex, who stood beside her. His hand rested lightly on her waist, a protective gesture that felt oddly reassuring.
She didn't expect what came next.
"A dance, my lady?" Alex asked, his voice smooth and steady.
Selena blinked, caught off guard. He extended his hand toward her, his expression unreadable but confident. Her eyes flicked to his outstretched hand, then back to his face.