"She has changed so much."
Inside their lavish bedroom, Duke Aldric and Duchess Seraphina sat by the fireplace, warm embers casting a soft glow on their faces. Seraphina's fingers traced the rim of her teacup, her eyes distant as she reflected on the past month.
"She hasn't gone to see him once," she murmured, setting the cup down.
Aldric sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Not once." His voice held a mixture of relief and worry. "For years, all she ever wanted was to be near the crown prince. Now… she barely even speaks of him."
Seraphina turned to face her husband. "She's been spending time with instead. Just last week, she joined me in the greenhouse, helping arrange the winter blooms. Do you remember how she used to dismiss gardening as 'boring'?"
Aldric chuckled, but it faded quickly. "And the week before, she played chess with me. Chess, Seraphina. She never had the patience for it before." He shook his head. "She's even treating the staff better. The servants no longer flinch when they see her coming."
"Yes," Seraphina agreed, a small smile forming. "But can it last?"
A heavy silence fell between them. It was unspoken but understood—Selene was about to leave for the nobles' academy, the place where the crown prince would be.
"What if she returns to how she was?" Seraphina's voice wavered. "What if seeing him again makes her spiral back into that obsession?"
Aldric clenched his jaw. "It will be worse if he starts entertaining other noble ladies. You know how she was before."
"She nearly lost herself." Seraphina's hands clenched in her lap. "And after her near-death experience, he didn't even visit. Not once."
Aldric exhaled sharply. "I just wish she would finally realize… he does not love her."
---
"My Lady, is there anything else you need?"
Selene sat before her vanity, watching her maids flutter around her like birds.
"Are you sure you have everything for the academy?" one asked.
"Yes," Selene replied calmly.
"Do you need more dresses packed?" another added.
"No."
"What about accessories? Books? Perhaps the chef can prepare something special for you to take?"
Selene shook her head. "There's no need."
The maids hesitated, exchanging glances. This was… strange. Their lady was never this indifferent before.
Before they could ask again, a knock on the door interrupted them. The butler entered, bowing.
"My Lady, it is time to leave."
Selene rose gracefully, turning to her personal maids. She embraced Pamela tightly.
"I'll see you when I return," she whispered.
Pamela nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat. "Take care, my Lady."
Only one maid could accompany her, and Isolde who had been with her the longest had been chosen.
Outside, the grand carriages stood ready.
Selene approached her parents, their expressions soft with emotion.
She hugged her mother first. "Take care, Mother."
Seraphina held her close, then whispered, "Selene… do not chase after a man who does not want you. It makes you look desperate."
Selene stiffened but remained silent.
Her mother continued, "Love is only love when it is returned. If not, it is just an obsession."
Selene stepped back, nodding slightly. She then hugged her father, who squeezed her shoulder reassuringly.
Eric, her older brother, crossed his arms impatiently. "We're running late."
Their parents shared a knowing glance before teasing, "Jealous, are we? Our grumpy son, upset that all the attention is on his sister?"
Eric scowled. "Ridiculous."
Selene let out a small laugh before stepping into the carriage with him.
As the wheels began to turn, she cast one last glance at her parents, their figures growing smaller in the distance.
Settling into her seat, Selene pulled out a book from her bag—one of the history volumes she had taken from the library. She flipped it open, her fingers tracing the delicate pages.
As the carriage moved forward, she immersed herself in reading, her mind focused on something other than the past.