My first kiss... Wish it was more romantic. At least the guy is hot.
She was so glad that she did not waste it on her scummy ex-boyfriend. She still couldn't believe he would do that...
Going behind her back, her friend too. She shook her head. She was going to live in the present. Although she wished that she could tell them off, or perhaps expose them just like she did in this life...
She sighed, it was still a victory and she intended to relish this moment.
She turned to look at Alex only to realise he was looking at her with a burning gaze.
The speculation spread like wildfire. Nobles craned their necks, trying to get a better look at Alex. Some whispered about his striking appearance—the sharp angles of his face, the piercing gaze, the air of quiet authority that surrounded him. Others debated his identity.
Selena paid them no mind. She released Alex's collar and stepped back, a satisfied smile playing on her lips.
Alex, however, was far from amused. He leaned down slightly, his voice low and meant only for her ears. "A little warning next time would've been nice."
Selena glanced up at him, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "Where's the fun in that?"
Alex sighed, running a hand through his hair. This woman was going to be the death of him.
But as he looked around the room, he realised something remarkable: the tide of public opinion was shifting.
Despite their disdain for Selena, many of the nobles couldn't help but acknowledge the validity of her words.
The Crown Prince and Nicholas had never been discreet about their affection for Clara. Selena's declaration, as shocking as it was, had forced everyone to reconsider their assumptions.
Perhaps she wasn't the cold, unfeeling villainess they had painted her to be. Perhaps she was just a woman scorned, lashing out in a world that had been unfair to her. The men still still disliked her but the women could understand her behaviour.
Their minds were thinking about both her and Clara. The second woman who was in the middle of this drama, the woman who had two powerful men wrapped around her finger.
Even so, the memory of Selena's past behaviour lingered. Her sharp tongue, her haughty demeanour, her penchant for bullying those she deemed beneath her—all of it weighed heavily on their minds.
"She might have a point," someone murmured.
"Yes, but that doesn't excuse the rest of her behaviour," another replied.
"I still can't stand her."
The whispers continued a myriad of opinions, some in support of her, some against her. But most tried not to involve themselves, the main characters of this piece of gossip were not people to be trifled with.
At the refreshment table, Adrien stood rigid, his face a mask of fury. The audacity of his cousin was beyond anything he had imagined. Was she insane? Has she lost her mind? Was she pushed to the breaking point?!
He did not imagine this would happen, he had different plans for the banquet, but now... With what face could he stay here? He decided to leave immediately.
Nicholas, on the other hand, was seething with rage. His fists were clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white. He wanted nothing more than to storm across the room and confront Selena, to put her in her place once and for all.
But he knew better than to act out in public. He could already feel the weight of the nobles' gazes on him, their judgment sharp and unforgiving.
Clara stood between them, looking thoroughly mortified. She tugged at Nicholas's sleeve, her voice barely above a whisper. "Nicholas, please, don't make a scene."
Nicholas glared at her, but her pleading expression softened his resolve. He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down.
Selena, meanwhile, was revelling in her triumph. She turned back to Alex, her smile widening. "Shall we dance?" she asked, holding out her hand.
The host of the ball, the Crown Prince left, but that was not going to stop her from enjoying her night. Seeing how the Northern Duke and the Duke of Whitlock stayed... The others forced themselves to stay as well.
They could not just up and leave at this moment.
Alex could not refute her request so he led her to the dance floor.
As they stepped onto the dance floor, the crowd parted to make way for them. The musicians, sensing the shift in the atmosphere, began to play a slow, romantic tune.
Selena placed one hand on Alex's shoulder while he rested his hand on her waist. They moved together effortlessly, their movements graceful and in sync.
For a moment, it felt as though they were the only two people in the room.
"You're enjoying this, aren't you?" Alex asked, his voice low.
"Immensely," Selena admitted.
"You've certainly caused a stir," he said, his lips quirking into a faint smile.
"That was the point," she replied.
As they danced, Selena couldn't help but steal a glance at Nicholas. His expression was a mix of anger and frustration, and she relished every second of it.
Let him stew in it, she thought.
But beneath her bravado, a small part of her wondered if she had done the right thing. She had burned bridges tonight, bridges that could never be repaired.
Besides, Nicholas had valid reasons to dislike Selena... But she was not Selena, and if she was going to be viewed only as a villainess, she will make sure to live up to that title.
This was her moment, her chance to rewrite her story. And she wasn't going to let anyone take it away from her.
As she and Alex stepped off the dance floor, she felt a surge of confidence. Tonight, she had proven that she was more than just a pawn in the games of men.
She was Selena Whitlock, no longer Ming Yue, and she was no one's victim.
Not anymore.