Morning came too quickly. Isolde woke Selene up gently, her voice soft but firm.
"My lady, it's time to get ready."
Selene groaned, still drowsy from sleep, but Isolde was already moving. She pulled out Selene's academy uniform a crisp navy-blue gown with gold embroidery and set it aside before helping her bathe and get dressed. She even combed and styled Selene's long, dark hair into a simple yet elegant braid.
As Isolde packed her books for the day, Selene's roommate, Lady Arabella Whitmore, was also getting ready with the help of her personal maid.
Selene and Arabella had formed an unexpected friendship since arriving at the academy. Arabella was bold, confident, and a little nosy, but she was also refreshingly honest. Unlike the others, she didn't treat Selene like a villain though she wasn't afraid to remind her of her past mistakes.
After gathering their things, the two left for class together. Arabella, as usual, was full of energy.
"So,"Arabella started, linking her arm with Selene's, "have you heard what people are saying about you?"
Selene sighed. "Let me guess. More rumors about how I was a crazy, obsessed girl who did horrible things for the Crown Prince?"
Arabella grinned. "Exactly! And let's be honest, was it really a rumor?"
Selene gave a tired smile. "No, it wasn't. I did those things."
Arabella's smirk faded slightly. "You really admit it that easily?"
Selene nodded. "What's the point in denying it? I was selfish, obsessive, and reckless. I hurt people. I manipulated situations to get closer to the Crown Prince. And in the end, I ruined myself."
Arabella studied her. "Well, at least you own up to it. But.."she hesitated, "are you really okay with everything? You know, the Crown Prince being in love with Lady Evangeline?"
Selene stiffened slightly at the name. She had never met Evangeline in this life except from her being her roommate, but she remembered her from her past life.
The beautiful, kind-hearted noblewoman. The one Keith had truly loved.
The one Selene had hated for no reason other than existing.
"Yes, I'm okay with it," Selene said finally. "Because the truth is, Keith was never mine to love. I see that now. And I won't fight for something that was never meant for me."
Arabella watched her closely before giving a small smile. "Then I guess we can all live peacefully. No more fights over men, okay?"
Selene chuckled. "No more fights over men."
Their first class was Etiquette & Court Manners, taught by Madam Genevieve Laurent, one of the Empress's former ladies-in-waiting. She had known Selene since she was a child. And she did not like her.
From the moment the class began, Madam Genevieve's sharp eyes were on Selene.
"Lady Selene Vasari," she said coldly, "I hope you have left your childish tantrums behind."
Selene didn't react, though she felt the judgment from the other students. "I will do my best to meet your expectations, Madam."
But Madam Genevieve wasn't done.
Throughout the lesson, she found every excuse to correct Selene.
"That is not how a noblewoman holds a teacup. Do it again."
"Your posture is too stiff. A lady should be graceful, not like a rigid soldier."
"If you had spent more time perfecting your manners instead of chasing after a man who did not want you, perhaps you would have been a proper noblewoman by now."
Selene remained silent, enduring the harsh words without argument.
After class, Arabella nudged her. "Okay, seriously, what did you do to her?"
Selene sighed. "I was a nightmare in the palace, Arabella. I insulted servants when things didn't go my way. I threw fits when the Crown Prince ignored me. One time, I even threw an entire tray of food at a maid just because she accidentally spilled tea on my gown."
Arabella's eyes widened. "Oh... wow."
Selene exhaled. "I used to demand to see Keith constantly. If he ignored me, I would cry, scream, and throw things. I spread rumors about any noblewoman who got too close to him. I manipulated people, and once, I even faked an illness just to make him visit me."
Arabella was silent for a moment before she let out a low whistle. "No wonder Madam Genevieve hates you."
Selene smiled bitterly. "I don't blame her. I ruined my own reputation."
Arabella shrugged. "Well, at least you're honest about it now."
Their next class was Imperial History & Nobility Studies, taught by Professor Alaric Voss a strict but brilliant historian. Unlike Madam Genevieve, he didn't care about personal grudges. He only valued intelligence.
Midway through the lecture, he asked a difficult question.
"The Everhart Empire and the Vasari Dukedom have had many conflicts in history. Can anyone explain why the Vasari Rebellion failed?"
The class went silent. No one wanted to risk answering incorrectly.
But Selene knew the answer.
"The Vasari Rebellion happened three hundred years ago under Emperor Aldebrand Everhart," she began. "At that time, the Vasari family was almost as powerful as the royal family. Duke Lucien Vasari believed he had the right to the throne, so he gathered an army to overthrow the emperor."
Professor Voss nodded slightly, motioning for her to continue.
"The rebellion failed for three main reasons,"Selene explained.
"First, Duke Lucien underestimated the emperor's alliances. The Everhart Empire had strong ties with the Montclair and Ravenshire noble houses, both of whom sided with the emperor and provided military support."
"Second, the Vasari forces were spread too thin. Duke Lucien tried to control too many territories at once, leaving his army vulnerable. The emperor's forces, led by General Cassius Everhart, used this weakness to crush the rebellion from multiple fronts."
"And third, there was betrayal from within. One of Duke Lucien's closest advisors, Lord Ferdinand Astor, secretly fed information to the emperor in exchange for protection. The rebellion was doomed from the start."
When she finished, the room was silent. Even Professor Voss looked impressed.
"A well-thought-out answer," he said. "Tell me, Lady Selene, do you agree with Duke Lucien's actions?"
Selene hesitated for a moment before shaking her head.
"No. His ambition blinded him. Instead of strengthening the Vasari legacy, he nearly destroyed it. Power gained through rebellion is never stable it only leads to more bloodshed."
Professor Voss nodded. "An insightful perspective. Let's hope history does not repeat itself."
As the class ended, Arabella gave Selene a look.
"Damn," she said. "You're actually smart."
Selene smirked. "What, did you think I was just a crazy fiancée?"
Arabella grinned. "Well... yeah."
Selene laughed softly and said "I read a lot when I had nothing else to do." The two them made their way to lunch.