The Great Hall was filled with the usual lively chatter of students enjoying their midday meal. The air filled with the rich aroma of roasted meats, fresh bread, and spiced wine. Laughter echoed through the vast space, and the clinking of silverware against plates blended into the background noise. Selene sat with her friends, their table filled with conversation and warm banter. But no matter how much they spoke, their voices seemed distant to her.
She stirred the food on her plate absentmindedly, barely taking a bite. Her mind was elsewhere—on someone she hadn't seen in a week.
Keith.
It had been seven days since their last confrontation in the secluded alcove, and he had vanished completely. He had missed every student council meeting for the upcoming sword-fighting tournament. As the president, his absence was unusual, and Lord Augustin Belmont, the vice president, had been forced to take over all responsibilities.
At first, Selene had assumed he was simply avoiding her. But when she asked Cedric if Keith had been attending any of his classes, the answer unsettled her.
"He hasn't shown up all week," Cedric had told her. "Not even once."
And it wasn't just the meetings and lessons, Keith hadn't come to the Great Hall either. The only sign of him was his valet, who came to collect his meals.
That was when true concern settled in her heart.
Determined to find out the truth, Selene tracked down Keith's valet and confronted him about the prince's absence.
"His Highness has… not been well," the valet admitted hesitantly. "He stays locked in his room and hardly eats."
Her chest tightened. Keith Everhart, the crown prince, known for his pride and composure, was depressed?
That realization pushed her to make a decision.
---
With the valet's help, Selene disguised herself, pulling a hooded cloak over her head as she slipped past guards and the overseer of the academy chambers for the males . The valet led her through the less-frequented corridors, avoiding prying eyes, before finally stopping before the prince's door.
"I'll keep watch," the valet whispered, pushing the door open just enough for her to slip inside.
The room was dimly lit, the heavy curtains drawn shut. The air was stale, and the scent of untouched food lingered.
Keith sat on the edge of his bed, his usually pristine appearance reduced to a shadow of its former self. His shining black hair was disheveled, his golden eyes dull and unfocused. He looked hollow, like a man drained of all purpose.
When she stepped inside and pulled down her hood, his gaze snapped to her.
"Get out." His voice was hoarse, barely more than a whisper, but there was no mistaking the sharp edge to it.
Selene didn't move. She simply stood there, waiting.
Keith clenched his jaw, his hands gripping the sheets beneath him as if he were barely holding himself together. For a long moment, neither of them spoke.
Then, something inside him cracked.
His face twisted, raw with emotions he had been suppressing. His breathing turned uneven, and his fingers trembled.
Selene's instincts took over. She stepped forward, closing the distance between them, and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder.
And that was all it took.
Keith broke down.
A strangled sob tore from his throat as he buried his face in his hands. His body shook with the force of his emotions, years of suppressed vulnerability spilling out all at once.
Selene sat beside him, her touch light but steady as she rubbed soothing circles on his back. He didn't resist.
Through broken words, he confessed everything.
"Evangeline…" His voice wavered. "She—she told me she can't be with me."
Selene stiffened.
"She said that as long as I'm set to marry you, she won't be in a relationship with me." His hands clenched into fists. "I… I can't lose her, Selene. I love her."
Selene listened silently, her heart aching—not for herself, but for him.
"It feels like someone ripped my heart out," Keith continued, his golden eyes filled with unbearable pain. "I don't feel like doing anything anymore. Nothing makes sense without her."
His words stung, but Selene pushed her own feelings aside.
"I understand how you feel," she said softly.
Keith let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head. "How could you possibly understand?"
She hesitated for only a moment before meeting his gaze. "Because I've been heartbroken too."
His expression shifted. "Who broke your heart?"
Selene said nothing. She simply looked at him.
Realization dawned on his face, his breath catching. "It… can't be me, right?"
Her silence was answer enough.
Keith's entire body tensed, as if struck by an invisible force. "Selene…" He swallowed thickly, his voice laced with guilt. "I— I never knew…" He exhaled shakily. "I never realized how much I've hurt you."
She offered him a small, tired smile. "It's all in the past now."
Keith stared at her, something unreadable flickering in his golden eyes.
Selene reached for his hand, gripping it firmly. "I'll help you get Evangeline back."
His eyes widened. "You… what?"
"I'll do whatever it takes to make sure you're happy."
Keith looked utterly stunned. "Even after everything I've done to you… you still want to help me?"
She nodded.
For the first time in days, a spark of hope returned to Keith's face. His lips parted slightly, and before he could stop himself, he pulled Selene into a hug.
"…Thank you," he whispered.
Selene closed her eyes briefly before gently pulling away. "It's nothing."
She urged him to eat the meal she had brought, watching as he forced himself to take a few bites. They talked for a little while longer, his spirits gradually lifting.
Finally, she stood, pulling her hood back over her head. "Get some rest, Keith."
As she slipped out of the room, careful to avoid detection, a thought crossed her mind.
She would never have the man she loved.
But if she could ensure his happiness, maybe that would be enough.