"That wasted a lot of time though, we had a reason to come here y'know." Reinhart adds on.
"Oh right, dresses." Amelia remembers.
Hearing this, an eager saleswoman directs Selina to a private room filled with an already chosen set of dresses from the best of the best. Amelia would often come and was a valued customer. Her brother may have hated her, but he wouldn't want Amelia to wear anything that would tarnish the Amister name.
Selina's eyes glisten at the sight of so many stunning dresses to try on. Shopping montage proceed!
"Lady Amelia, these are the finest selections, tailored just for you." The room was filled with dresses of every shade and style imaginable, their silks shimmering in the soft light. The atmosphere was as luxurious as the noble household itself, and Selina couldn't help but let out an appreciative sigh.
Reinhart, ever the professional, stood at the door, arms crossed, though her eyes remained vigilant.
Selina walked slowly, her eyes wide in wonder, as she took in the rows of opulent gowns. There were pastel-colored ballgowns adorned with lace, midnight blue velvet dresses embroidered with silver thread, and deep crimson satin ones that glittered like a thousand tiny stars. Each piece looked like it belonged in a royal court. The air smelled of fresh roses and polished wood, the scent of money and status.
Selina ran her fingers over the luxurious fabrics, the softness of velvet and silk sending a jolt of excitement through her. She felt like a completely different person just standing among such grandeur. She could already imagine the admiring gazes of the nobility as she wore one of these dresses.
"Pick one, my lady!" the saleswoman urged, "The best is yet to come!"
Selina's hand hovered over the dresses, her mind overwhelmed with the beauty of each piece. She pulled out a flowing gown made of pale blue satin, its bodice adorned with intricate silver beading. The skirt flared elegantly, giving it a dreamy, almost ethereal feel. It was as if the dress had been made just for her.
A second dress caught her eye, a deep emerald green gown that would highlight her newly refined figure. It shimmered with gold accents and cascaded to the floor in soft folds of fabric, perfect for making a grand entrance.
With a grin, Selina tossed both dresses over her arm. "I think I've found the ones I like."
Reinhart raised an eyebrow as she watched Selina change into the first dress. "How does it fit?"
Selina spun around, the gown billowing dramatically. "It's perfect!" she exclaimed, her face lighting up. The silver beads caught the light, adding a soft sparkle to the look.
The saleswoman clapped her hands in approval. "It's a masterpiece on you, my lady!"
Selina then slipped into the emerald gown, its soft fabric hugging her frame. It felt more regal, more poised. She twirled in front of the mirror, her reflection glowing with elegance.
"Both dresses are stunning," Reinhart remarked, her usual stoic demeanor softening just a little.
Selina's face lit up. "They are, aren't they? I can't wait for the ball now. These will certainly make an impression."
"Are we ready to head back?" Reinhart asks.
"I want to go to one more place." Selina replies.
"Which is?"
"Where the commoners reside!"
"...What? Lady Amelia, are you serious?" Reinhart remarks, her dark eyes turning cold.
"Yeah, I want to get my mind off of what occurred today. It feels so stifling be around the environment of aristocrats constantly."
"No, absolutely not." Reinhart quickly responds.
"What? Why not?" Selina questions curiously.
"Lady Amelia, don't ask questions, we're going back now." Reinhart shuts her down immediately, her cold eyes glaring sternly at Selina. Although suspicious and curious, Selina was reluctant to press on, her previously gone fear of Reinhart resurfacing. There's no way she'll be able to convince Reinhart anyway.
"Hmph, I'll excuse your insolence for now, take me back." Selina responds, evidently aggrieved. She'll figure out a way somehow.
….
The day goes by as per usual with Selina leveling up her skills, giving pained looks at Reinhart occasionally before calling it in for the night… or did she?
Late at night, Selina is awake. She slaps on a mask and nor at all suspicious looking cloak to cover herself. There's no way she could just casually walk out of the mansion and sneak off, there's guards patrolling every hall plus, who knows what kind of magical sensors the paranoid freak Troye put. She stares out her window, if she jumps off, bones will surely be broke, but Selina has the power of the sky! She takes a few deep breaths and jumps off the balcony… familiar.
Right before her ultimate death (bit of an over exaggeration but y'know), Selina circulates her mana to her feet, the wind on her feet keeping her hovering above ground. Through her training, Selina had figured out that mana can be used anywhere in the body, anywhere, ahem, with hands just being the most beneficial and easiest way to circulate to and use. She sticks the landing, wanting to applaud herself, but gets interrupted by a ching.
Level Up!
Hovering: 2 → 3
Level 3: Exp 0%/100%
Selina makes her way to the village where the scrubs– cough, commoners, reside in. If the nobles resided in palatial homes, the poor were left in overcrowded, cramped areas on the outskirts. Selina wasn't exploring for the sake of exploring though, she actually had a reason this time! One of the major plot points of the original game was the hero and the crown prince's first meeting, which so happened to be when the weak, but handsome hero, got kidnapped by a human trafficking cult… Selina, having no clue when the protagonist will appear, decides to take things into her own hands and scope out the enemy in advance.
Why didn't she just mind her own business? Well, Selina could never sit back and wait for things to happen. Though she couldn't completely dismantle the cult herself, perhaps she could rescue a few victims and gain the crown prince's attention in the process—accidentally, of course. That would surely get under Troye's skin, and honestly, it wouldn't be the worst outcome if she could subtly make herself indispensable to the future emperor. Forming an alliance with him would give her leverage she desperately needed to escape Troye's control.
And as for reporting the cult to the northern knights or anyone else? There were no solid leads, no evidence, and she doubted anyone in power would even care, after all, some of the most influential nobles were rumored to be involved in these despicable acts.