After a while of enjoying the mood, Selena grits her teeth and asks, "So Jason, do you want to kill Lance?"
The atmosphere turns cold for a bit and then Jason breaks the silence.
"Yes," Jason says flatly
Selena's heart gripped, it's not like she cared too much about whether Lance survived but if Jason truly went down this path, would there be any saving him? As she starts her next sentence, she gets interrupted.
"But I won't do it. Lance for some reason has extreme confidence in everything he does, for a 10-year-old child who was thrown into the battlefield, What would make him so confident that everything will work out?" Jason asked rhetorically.
"Even at that age, I was also raised to have a bright future but I know firsthand just how quickly things can reverse if the wrong things happen, and given Lance's situation, he shouldn't have more confidence than even I had back then. When I really thought about it, I figured the key probably had something to do with the emperor's eye. What's the one thing that can give you the most confidence about winning the throne? If the emperor's eye showed you on the throne.
If that happened, I could see why Lance was able to overcome every obstacle like it doesn't matter or that he would never fail.
I realized that if I can't stop him from being an emperor, I might as well make sure he does a good job. I don't mind him being emperor at all if that's what destiny decides.
But I also know that he wants to kill me and my mother so I would never allow him to get enough power to do that. I have already planned out a way to escape his control in the future even after he becomes emperor so even though I don't like him, I don't have any reason to kill him.
Besides, with that eye of his, it is extremely difficult to kill him and the one that would benefit the most from his death won't be me but instead, it would be people like Count Grenden.
As soon as Lance got the eyes, I could never sit on that throne in a stable way. Even if he dies and I become emperor, they will always compare me to him or point out that I'm the first emperor without the eyes and use that to show I'm unreliable.
I wasn't trying to deal with those ridiculous political schemes so I stayed in my palace and kept building up my power. I ended up being known as a lazy, counterfeit prince with nothing going for him. Jason says while sipping his tea.
Selena felt emotional once again after hearing Jason talk about himself like this. Even though he is wronged by everyone else and even by Lance, he still looks out for the greater good. He is able to put aside his grudges and look at the bigger picture. He is even able to suffer silently while making sure everything is moving in the proper direction. This is a real man! Selena thinks to herself as she finds herself getting more infatuated with the man in front of her.
She has now confirmed that being with Jason would not hinder her life goals and she won't be forced to participate in this brother vs brother death match. A look of appreciation appears on Seelna's face as she stares at Lance.
She knew deep down it would be impossible for Lance to support the idea of coexisting with Jason so she was glad that Jason was able to find a middle ground that didn't result in one of their deaths.
Her last line of defense completely faded away in her mind as she vowed in her heart that in this life, she would stick back and support Jason and everything would work out the way she wanted them to.
Sitting side by side with Jason, She then leans her head on his shoulder. "I'm so happy," she says.
"Me too" Jason replies with a gentle smile.
"You have been through too much Jason, I hope you will always be happy in the days moving forward," Selena says softly.
"I would if you would be there with me," Jason says with a chuckle.
"I will and I will never leave your side," Selena says quickly and firmly.
"Oh? Lance might not like what you just said" Jason teased.
"Who cares about him? I just didn't want him to be killed. I feel like it would be a loss and with those eyes, him being emperor is good but that doesn't mean you deserve to suffer. You also don't want to kill him so there is no contradiction in my heart if I stay with you. He already has so many people on his side, it's not fair for you at all" Selena says with a small out.
"Life is never fair, When I look at Lance sometimes, I wonder if this was how my life was supposed to be like. But I'm starting to think it's fine that my life is like this. At least I have you, right?" Jason said as he looked over to Selena.
Her heart beat violently and she blushed a little bit while hiding her head in his shoulder.
The two slowly enjoyed the mood until they sensed that the ball outside was wrapping up
"It seems like our night is coming to an end," Jason said with a bit of sadness in his voice.
"When will I be able to meet you again" Selena said like a heartbroken lover who hasn't seen her husband in years.
"There is a hunting competition hosted by the palace next month, they hold a lot of importance to it so I will attend. I'll send you an invite later". Jason says.
"I'll be there then!" Selena answers quickly.
Jason chuckles as they both walk back towards the hall.
When they reach the door, Jason tries to speed away before people notice the two of them but Selena grabs his arm and says, "Don't worry about the rumors. I don't mind them, truly. I don't like seeing or hearing their words, I would like to at least show the whole empire that you have someone on your side" Selena said righteously.
Jason pauses for a little bit and then laughs lightly.
"Wow, I did not expect this at all, Thank you so much, my princess," he says while hooking her arms again and they walk into the ballroom courteously.
As they walked, whispers began to sound but it wasn't as bad as before. The ball was more empty than it was earlier, showing that most people went home.
"Here," Jason says softly and then places a very small illusory bird on Selena's hand.
"You know this spell too right?" he says as he puts his own hand out.
Selena paused for a bit and then realized what he was trying to do. She smiled and then put her own illusory bird on the top of his hand.
Her use of the spell can't travel far distances unlike Jason's but they can both maintain the spell for the other party and keep it stable as a means of communication.
"I also want to give you this", Jason says as he puts a beautiful pendant on her neck.
Knowing Jason's character, Selena did not believe this pendant was just simple jewelry.
"Thank you, Jason, This is so beautiful," She says while examining the shining bracelet.
"What does it do?" She says.
Jason paused and then chuckled, "You figured it out?" he said rhetorically. "This necklace helps prevent you from falling and if you put your mana through it, it drastically increases temperature" he explains.
"Oh, this is interesting. what inspired you to make this?" Selena asked curiously.
"I don't like other guys touching you. Catching your falls is a good excuse but if you have a magic tool that prevents that then there is no excuse they could use. Also if you feel uncomfortable around anyone's touch, you can just use your mana and give them a good burn" Jason says shamelessly.
Selena laughed, she didn't know how possessive he could be but her safety was still prioritized and the pendant was beautiful so she could forgive him for now.
After some more small talk, the couple eventually departed.
Selena was walking down the hall and the whispers didn't stop.
"I wonder what she has to do with that counterfeit prince?"
"Wasn't she with Prince Lance? Why would she downgrade herself?"
"Some women just don't understand their blessings. Maybe she's playing hard to get?"
Selena activated her own sound isolation spell and kept heading towards the exit. It doesn't work as well as Jason's but it is more than enough to prevent her from hearing mindless words.
She reaches the outside and sees two familiar figures.
Lance and Ivory are both waiting outside with an awkward silence between them.
The two see her and immediately say, "Selena!" at the same time.
They look at each other in a stern gaze but Ivory quickly grabs Selena's arm and attempts to drag her away.
Lance saw this scene and wanted to grab her other hand but when he did, Selena panicked and instantly ran mana through her body.
Lance's hand stops before it can grab her arm and says, "How... You burned me?" he said in a somewhat sad tone.
"Even though I did it instinctively, The emperor's eye still protected him and even told him the function of my pendant without him having to suffer through the pain at all?", Selena thought to herself after listening to his words.
She then thought about how Jason was tricked into drinking poison earlier and had to examine the taste and means to deduce who was behind it. She felt a little angry but there's nothing you can do when Destiny didn't choose you, right?
Before Selena can answer, Ivory steps in and says, "What are you talking about? How did she burn you? I'm glad you kept your hands off her because if not, I might've done something to you myself", Ivory said in a threatening tone.
"Are you threatening me?" Lance said calmly.
"I'm sure you know who my Aunty is and who my cousin is. I'm always the highest-status mage who graduated. I'm not someone easy to mess with. You want to deal with me, you'll end up opening yourself to a lot more criticisms than you can handle right now" Ivory says as she slowly drags Selena away.
Lance clenches his fists, "Selena, I want to tell you something, Can I have a minute?" Lance says softly.
Selena thinks about it for a minute and then agrees. She then looks at Ivory and says "I'll be right back, you can watch from a distance, don't worry, nothing will happen" she says with a smile.
She walks over towards Lance and the two start making their way down the road.
It was just like normal but Lance could tell there was now like an invisible wall between them.
"Selena..." He said softly but Selena interrupted and said, "Your Highness, It might be better if you call me Ms. Jobaine or at least Ms. Selena, we don't want the people backing you to get the wrong idea," Selena said calmly.
"Your highness? Why do you want to be so distant? Did that dance mean nothing to you?" Lance asked feeling aggrieved.
"Your Highness, you must be aware of your status. What exactly do you want to do with me? Do you want to make me your wife, your empress? Am I qualified? Would the people around you agree?" Selena questioned.
"It doesn't matter what they say, No matter what obstacles I face, I will overcome them. Just don't worry and trust me" Lance said in a convincing tone.
"I'm sure you're aware that I am engaged to your brother and yet you treat me like this. Is this the education a prince should have?" Selena retorted.
"So... it's because of him," Lance said while clenching his teeth.
"He already has everything and now he wants to take you too. This is too much!"
Selena paused at his words. "Take everything? Didn't your mother plot to take the eyes away from him? Didn't all his supporters go to you because of those eyes? Didn't you also take his destiny of the throne? And if I also went with you, that would mean you took his fiancée as well. It seems you're the one taking everything away from him" Selena says in her head but calms down before answering.
"I don't belong to anyone and our mothers engaged us, it has nothing to do with the throne or being a prince" Selena calmly explains.
"You told me you would be on my side," Lance said softly.
"I still support you to take the throne but that's the extent of it. Don't make me regret my choice" Selena said.
There was an awkward silence for a little while and then Lance asked,
"Will you be at the hunting competition? I will win for you" He said with determination.
"Win for yourself and Yes I will be there" Selena responds.
"Good, See you there Selena" Lance said as he walked away.
Selena shakes her head, I clearly told him to change the way he called me.
She then remembered that Jason said the harder Lance tried to force their relationship, the more likely the emperor's eye did not see them together. Seeing his behavior today, I can only say that even Destiny doesn't match us together.
She then walks back and meets up with Ivory again.
"Are you really with him? As a friend, I can support your own personal choice but I can't stand back and watch you play my cousin like this. Tell him straight up that you prefer that thieving prince so he can move on from you" Ivory scolded.
"Don't worry Ivory, It is not like that at all. Jason is the one I like" She said as she shyly lowered her head as a blush appeared on her face.
"I also want to thank you for everything you've done for me over the years," Selena said as she bowed her head in respect.
Ivory smiled, I may have approached you to do Jason a favor but that doesn't change the fact that you are my dearest friend"
"I know, you don't have to explain to me," Selena said.
The best friends rekindled their friendship and chatted about many different things throughout the time. The events that night made them get even closer. As the night falls, Selena heads back to her manor in the capital. She stares at the beautiful night sky and she recalls everything she has been through in the past couple of hours.
She smiled at the memories and then began looking forward to the future. The hunting competition will be hosted in a month and Jason will be there. Excitement started stirring up in her heart,
"I wonder what surprise that man will bring me this time," she thought with a smile as she slowly started drifting asleep.