Selena let out an exasperated sigh as she recalled the details, was their relationship nothing but the consequence of trauma bonding? She shrugged, she didn't care.
It was their problem, their love. What she wanted was freedom.
When Clara asked him that question with tears, he did not know how to answer. He wanted to clarify that he was not there for her... Or something like that. He wanted to say that he wanted to get away from that awful place, but he could not form the words.
Instead, he sat down a few feet away, silent. For a while, neither of them spoke. It wasn't until Clara's curiosity got the better of her that she broke the silence. Even though she was sobbing, she wanted to know.
"Why are you here?" She asked softly. Her tears finally stopped, this kid successfully distracted her.
He hesitated before responding. "I… Needed to get away."
Clara's expression softened. "Me too."
She told him about her family—how she was the illegitimate child, constantly ridiculed by her half-siblings. Her mother's status as a mistress ensured Clara would never be fully accepted, no matter how hard she tried.
Her father brought her home thinking she would get herself a good match and in turn, help him gain more power and influence. She was truly alone in that home. She was so excited to step out and finally go out to a banquet filled with lights and grandeur, but her siblings could not let her have that joy either.
Nicholas listened, surprised by how much her story resonated with him. They were both trapped by circumstances beyond their control, forced to endure pain they hadn't earned.
In that quiet corner of the estate, they found solace in each other. Clara's kindness, and her willingness to share her pain, left a mark on Nicholas.
She had seen him at his lowest and hadn't judged him. For a boy who lived under the constant scrutiny of his father, that small moment of understanding was profound.
As Selena recalled this backstory, she couldn't help but scoff. Nicholas's fixation on Clara made sense now, but it didn't make it any less frustrating.
Was his loyalty to her born out of genuine love, or was it merely a clinging to the one person who had shown him compassion? Either way, Selena was determined not to let it define her future.
She sighed, shaking off the heavy thoughts. Tomorrow was a new day, and she had a meeting with the Queen to focus on.
Selena felt a knot of tension tighten in her stomach as she and Alex were escorted into the Queen's private sitting room.
The elegant space was filled with rich tapestries and subtle floral scents, but the regal air only made her more nervous.
Alex, as calm as ever, walked beside her, his tall frame a steady presence. Selena glanced at him briefly, wishing she could borrow even a fraction of his composure.
How is he so confident?! I am dying here!
The Queen sat at a polished desk near the window, bathed in soft light. She rose gracefully as they entered, her piercing gaze sweeping over them. Despite her icy demeanour, there was a hint of warmth in her smile as her eyes lingered on Selena.
"Selena," the Queen said, her voice smooth yet commanding. "It's been a long time since I've seen you. Come, sit."
Selena hesitated before taking a seat across from her. Alex remained standing a respectful distance behind her, his hands clasped behind his back.
The Queen's smile grew slightly amused as she leaned forward. "How is your mother? Still as... Spirited as ever?"
The sarcasm in her tone wasn't lost on Selena, but she kept her expression neutral. "She's doing fine, Your Majesty," she replied evenly.
She did not know what went down between the Queen and her mother but she was not about to ask about their feud just when she was about to request a favour.
"Good to hear," the Queen said, a flicker of dry amusement crossing her features.
Selena was taken aback by the Queen's attitude. She had expected scepticism or even outright disdain, given the rumours that swirled about her.
Yet the Queen seemed almost fond of her—or at least more warm and welcoming than Selena had anticipated. It was strange, considering the apparent animosity between the Queen and her mother.
The Queen gestured for her to continue. "You've asked for this audience, Selena. I assume it's not simply to exchange pleasantries?"
Selena straightened her back, her heart pounding. "No, Your Majesty. I've come to request the annulment of my engagement to the Northern Duke."
The Queen arched a brow, her expression unreadable. "Go on."
Selena inhaled deeply and began. "At the recent banquet, I was publicly humiliated when my fiancé, Nicholas, displayed his… Affections for another woman. It's no secret to anyone in the room that he has been unfaithful. I endured whispers, pitying looks, and outright mockery."
She paused for effect, then continued, her tone softening. "But none of that would matter if I weren't deeply in love with someone else."
The Queen's gaze flicked briefly to Alex, who stood silently behind Selena. "Is that so?"
Her eyes flickered, she tilted her head amused. Her gaze quickly shifted to Selena, studying her thoroughly.
"Yes," Selena said firmly, a touch of vulnerability slipping into her voice. "I've found someone who values me, respects me, and makes me feel alive. I refuse to spend the rest of my life bound to a man who sees me as nothing more than an annoyance."
"But Selena... You were the one who requested this engagement." The Queen broke the news.
Selena did not know what to say. She did not know this! The story did not mention this as far as she could remember... Did she force this engagement on Nicholas? She knew that she refused to let him call it off, but she did not know that she was the reason behind the engagement.