The morning sun filtered through the tall windows of House Vasari, casting soft, golden patterns across the polished marble floors. A gentle breeze carried the scent of blooming roses from the gardens, filling the air with a quiet sense of peace.
Selene stretched beneath the heavy canopy of her bed, savoring the rare stillness. It had been a long time since she had woken up without the weight of expectation pressing down on her, No classes. No unbearable etiquette training. No suffocating whispers.
Just peace.
A month had passed since she entered the Academy, and though people still spoke about her, she had managed to stand her ground and remained unbothered by them. More than that, she had found something she had never truly known before companionship.
Her thoughts drifted to Arabella Hawthorne, the first to shatter the walls she hadn't even realized she was still holding up.
Arabella was a force of nature, bright, outspoken, and utterly unafraid to speak her mind. She had approached Selene without hesitation, ignoring the weight of her name, the rumors that clung to her like a second skin. Where others had tread carefully, Arabella had simply been there, filling the silences with laughter and peace.
At first, Selene hadn't known how to respond. She had spent years, lifetimes understanding the language of individuals, the hidden motives behind every smile. But Arabella's friendship was genuine, unburdened by politics or expectation. She had a habit of dragging Selene into conversations she never intended to have, pulling her into debates over music lessons, sharing ridiculous stories about noblewomen attempting to tame unruly stallions, and most importantly never letting Selene withdraw into herself
It was strange… to have someone so openly choose her. Not out of obligation, not out of fear, but because they simply wanted to.
And then there was Cedric Greystone.
Where Arabella was fire, Cedric was steady earth.
His presence had been unexpected, slipping into her life with quiet certainty. He never looked at her with the wariness others did, never hesitated before speaking, never weighed his words for fear of offending her. To Cedric, she was simply Selene.
At first, she had been wary of Friendships, true ones were foreign to her. But Cedric had never once faltered, proving time and time again that his kindness held no ulterior motive. He did not fear her name. He did not seek her favor. He simply existed by her side, steadfast and unwavering.
With him, conversation was easy. Cedric had a way of making the academy less daunting, filling the quiet moments with casual remarks about their lessons, discussions about incidents in the student council, or which dining hall desserts were actually worth eating.
She hadn't realized how much that meant to her until she caught herself seeking him out.
Arabella and Cedric had given her warmth and stability.
Her brother and all of his friends gave her something to be happy about daily.
A soft smile touched her lips.
Perhaps, after everything, she could truly make this life different.
But peace she should have known never lasted long.
A sharp knock echoed through the chamber.
"Enter."
The heavy oak door swung open, revealing Isolde, her ever-dutiful maid. She stepped inside, curtsying low, but there was something off about her demeanor.
Selene, still lounging beneath the covers, immediately caught the shift in her posture.
Something was wrong.
She straightened. "What is it?"
Isolde hesitated, carefully choosing her words. "My lady," she said evenly, "His Highness, the Crown Prince, has arrived."
The words did not register at first.
Selene blinked, as if she had misheard. "What?"
"His Highness is here," Isolde repeated. "He arrived not long ago with Her Majesty, the Queen. They are currently in the rose garden with the Duchess. Your presence is requested."
A hollow silence filled the room.
Keith Everhart.
The peace and warmth she felt in the morning all vanished , it was replaced by a sharp, cutting cold.
It had been a month since their last encounter, since he had that crazy argument with her in the corridor, his gaze filled with nothing but indifference. He had made it clear: she meant nothing to him. He even did his best to avoid her like a plague in the student council hall.
So why was he here?
And more importantly, why now?
Her fingers curled around the silk sheets, knuckles turning white.
Keith never did anything without reason. This visit was totally strange. The crown prince visiting her although he hated her so much.
Selene inhaled slowly, forcing down the turmoil rising within her. She could not afford to react emotionally. With the Empress present, this was more than just an unexpected visit something must have gone wrong
Lifting her chin, she met Isolde's gaze, her voice steady despite the storm raging inside her.
"Prepare my attire."
Whatever this was, she would have to face it.