The morning air was cold and fresh, carrying the scent of freshly bloomed flowers as Selene strolled through the academy gardens alongside Arabella, Camille, and Astrid. Their laughter filled the quiet pathways as they relished their rare free time together, away from the ever-watchful eyes of their male counterparts.
"It's almost ridiculous how little time we get to just talk," Camille sighed, adjusting the folds of her pale blue gown.
"That's because we're always buried in etiquette classes, academic lectures, or riding lessons," Astrid added, rolling her eyes.
Arabella smirked. "And because the men insist on claiming Cedric as their personal source of entertainment. I swear, he thrives off provoking people."
Selene chuckled softly but found her mind wandering. Her conversation with Keith from the previous day still lingered in her thoughts.
As they turned a corner, her steps faltered.
Keith stood in the hallway ahead, his tall frame illuminated by the morning light streaming through the grand windows. His golden eyes met hers, filled with something she couldn't quite name.
Selene hesitated before turning to her friends. "Excuse me for a moment. I'll catch up with you soon."
Arabella gave her a knowing glance, but she simply nodded.
As her friends walked ahead, Selene approached Keith. "Are you feeling better?" she asked gently.
Keith let out a breath. "Much better, thanks to you."
She studied his face, relieved to see that some of the exhaustion had faded. "I meant what I said yesterday. I'll speak to Evangeline and explain that our engagement is just a formal arrangement. That it's something forced upon us by law and our parents."
Keith's brows furrowed slightly.
Selene continued, "Once we're married, we'll change those laws. And when we get a divorce, you and Evangeline will be free to be together."
Keith's lips parted slightly, his expression unreadable. "You would do that for me?"
Selene smiled faintly. "You deserve to be with the person you love."
For a moment, he said nothing, then nodded. "I appreciate it, Selene. Truly."
With that, she bid him goodbye and hurried to catch up with her friends.
---
When Selene entered her shared quarters, she wasn't expecting anyone to be there. Arabella and Cedric were probably still engaged in their usual heated banter—Cedric had been making a habit of provoking her recently, and Selene was beginning to suspect it wasn't entirely unintentional.
She let out an amused chuckle at the thought.
But then she noticed Evangeline sitting alone in the room.
The moment their eyes met, Evangeline's delicate features hardened, her soft violet eyes filled with contempt.
Selene straightened, suppressing a sigh. She had hoped for a calm conversation, but Evangeline's hostility made it clear that wouldn't be the case.
Summoning her courage, Selene stepped forward. "Evangeline, I was hoping we could talk."
Evangeline didn't respond. Instead, she rolled her eyes and turned away, dismissing Selene as if she weren't worth her time.
Selene inhaled slowly, steadying herself. "I just want to explain—"
"You don't need to explain anything," Evangeline cut in, her voice sharp. "I already know what you're doing."
Selene blinked. "What?"
Evangeline stood, her delicate hands clenched into fists at her sides. "You're trying to make yourself look like the perfect, self-sacrificing fiancée. Pretending to support my relationship with Keith while making me seem like the villain in my own love story."
Selene's mouth parted in shock.
Evangeline's voice shook with emotion. "You want me to believe that you're selflessly helping us? That you have no interest in Keith? But in reality, you're making me look like a fool. Like a woman desperate for something that isn't even hers to claim."
"That's not—"
"You're setting me up to be the mistress. A woman scorned by the public while you remain the noble, dutiful wife." Evangeline's eyes glistened with unshed tears. "You act as if you're stepping aside, but all you're doing is making me the villain."
Selene felt as if she had been struck.
She had anticipated resistance, but not this. Not such deeply ingrained resentment.
"Evangeline, that's not what I—"
"You think I don't see it?" Evangeline's voice cracked. "Keith is confused right now. But sooner or later, he'll realize that you're the one standing by his side, that you're the one he can rely on. And when that happens, where will that leave me?"
Selene stood frozen.
She had never considered that.
That her presence alone could be perceived as a threat to the happiness Evangeline so desperately sought.
Evangeline shook her head, letting out a bitter laugh. "I won't let you make me look like the villain in this story, Selene."
With that, she turned and stormed out, leaving Selene standing in the empty room, reeling from the accusations that echoed in her mind.