"You don't have the authority to end this engagement," Adrien said through gritted teeth.
"I am not asking for your permission." Selena turned to leave.
Adrien opened his mouth to retort but found himself at a loss for words. Selena's declaration left no room for argument.
The silence that followed was deafening, the tension palpable. Selena could feel the weight of countless eyes on her, their gazes a mixture of shock, admiration, and disbelief.
But she didn't care.
Selena turned on her heel, her silver gown swirling around her as she walked away from the stunned trio. Her heart pounded in her chest, adrenaline coursing through her veins. She had done it. She had publicly severed her ties to Nicholas and humiliated both him and Adrien in the process.
And it felt glorious.
She was surprised by their inability to retort. Maybe noble etiquette taught them not to be crass with their words, but she was no noble... And her reputation was already dragged through the mud anyway.
She wished to pull them down with her. Why suffer alone?
The ballroom was silent, except for the rustle of dresses and the faint clinking of glasses as Selena Whitlock strode away from Nicholas, Adrien, and Clara.
Everyone was still in shock, they never imagined for for Selena Whitlock, the girl who kept chasing the Duke no matter how many times he told her no, to suddenly change her ways.
Her declaration that her engagement was officially over reverberated through the room, leaving behind a stunned crowd and a brewing storm of whispers.
As Selena made her way across the room, her path purposeful and unwavering, the onlookers shifted their attention.
Their eyes followed her every step, brimming with curiosity. Some admired her audacity, others loathed her for her arrogance, but none could deny the power she had commanded at that moment.
Most of them were excited! This was the juiciest piece of gossip they heard in a while! Sure, she butted heads with him at that cafe, but this was just huge! Selena being a part of the current gossip was something that happened regularly... But this was just...
Alex watched on as he saw Selena walking towards him. She looked determined and happy.
He hadn't expected this.
When Selena approached him earlier that evening with her outrageous request, he assumed she had invited him here to stir the waters, perhaps to make Nicholas jealous or to cause a minor scandal.
He'd agreed out of convenience—her proposition had been a perfect cover for his own mission—but he had grossly underestimated her resolve. She was always defying his expectations.
The Selena he'd heard about in rumours was nothing like the woman who now walked toward him with fire in her eyes and a victorious smirk on her lips.
The murmurs of the crowd grew louder as she approached him. Who was this man? Why had she chosen him of all people to make her grand statement?
They were waiting for her to address all their bubbling questions. They were dying to know his identity, this man who dared to go up against the Northern Duke! Was he more powerful? Was that why he was fearless?
He looked so confident, his head tilted with a smirk. The women couldn't help but blush. That was one good-looking man. He did not look reserved like the other noblemen. There was something so raw about him...
Selena's confidence didn't falter as she closed the distance between them. Her thoughts swirled, and the adrenaline from her confrontation with Nicholas and Adrien still coursing through her veins. She felt alive, more alive than she had in years.
Tonight, she wasn't the simpering villainess everyone thought they knew. Tonight, she was in control.
Alex straightened as she came to a stop before him. He opened his mouth to say something but before he could utter a word, Selena grabbed him by the collar and yanked him down to her level.
Her lips met his in a kiss that stunned not only Alex but the entire ballroom.
Selena was annoyed that he was so tall making it inconvenient, what could she have done other than pulling him closer?
Gasps rippled through the crowd, followed by a wave of murmurs and whispers that grew louder with each passing second. Nobles clutched their pearls, fanned themselves, and exchanged scandalised looks. A kiss? Here? In front of everyone?
Alex's eyes widened as her lips pressed against his. He froze for a moment, caught off guard by her boldness, but his instincts quickly took over. His hands moved to her waist, steadying her, and he tilted his head slightly, deepening the kiss just enough to make it convincing.
When Selena finally pulled away, her cheeks were flushed, though whether it was from exertion or exhilaration, she couldn't tell. She didn't let go of his collar, keeping him close as she turned to face the crowd.
"This," she announced, her voice ringing out clearly, "is the man I love. And I am choosing to be with him in the righteous way—after breaking off my engagement."
Her words were a direct jab at Nicholas, and everyone in the room knew it.
Alex quickly came back to the present. He realised that he was blushing too but her words felt like ice water was dumped on him. Whatever flustered feeling he had was gone. This was an act, it was only a show.
For a moment he felt like glaring at Nicholas but he stopped himself. His hand around her waist loosened a bit, he was embracing her with the previous vigour but still, he was holding her to sell it.
Meanwhile, Selena's heart was beating out of her chest. She managed to catch her brother's expression which was pure horror. As if he witnessed a crime!
My first kiss... Wish it was more romantic. At least the guy is hot.
She turned to look at Alex only to realise he was looking at her with a burning gaze.