The stars were shining brightly that night as Selen, accompanied by Liam, climbed the stairs leading to the palace ballroom. She could feel the stares and hear the whispers of every noble they passed. It was not normal for an unmarried young woman to attend a ball without being accompanied by at least one member of her family. And with all the rumors surrounding her, Selen had expected far worse. Her family had most likely already arrived, and she had come deliberately late to give them time to come up with a convincing excuse for her arriving alone.
The royal herald, whose role was to announce the names of new arrivals, looked at the card she presented twice before finally deciding to announce them. Her name was not on the guest list, but a Ravenhurt could not be refused entry to a palace ball.
"Lady Selen Ravenhurt and Sir Liam."
All eyes seemed to turn toward the entrance. Lifting her head, Selen, holding onto Liam's arm, walked forward slowly until a woman appeared in front of them. The conversations had quieted down and only a few whispers remained.
I see the welcoming committee is here, Selen thought.
"I greet you, Lady Monrow," Selen said, making a small curtsy.
Lady Monrow's sharp eyes scanned her outfit before moving to Liam. Selen saw a disdainful smile form on her lips.
"I heard you were unwell. It seems your recovery is complete."
"Thank you for your concern, madam," Selen replied with a polite smile.
"I am still surprised. You came alone while your entire family has been here for quite some time… Don't tell me there is some family conflict behind all this," Lady Monrow said, her eyes shining with malice.
Selen felt the whispers grow louder around them. Lady Monrow was known to be close to the Empress, so it did not surprise her that she would try to humiliate her in public. After all, it was well known that the Duchess Ravenhurt and the Empress were not on good terms.
"In truth, it is quite the opposite. As you pointed out, I have been ill for a long time and I wished to shine without being overshadowed by my very beautiful family," Selen replied. "You see, my father even assigned me a knight for my personal safety because he was so worried."
Lady Monrow smiled falsely and was about to say something else when Selen felt someone take her arm.
"As my dear daughter said, we were worried. She may seem well, but her illness has exhausted her greatly. You will understand, Lady Monrow, if she cannot stay long to speak with you," Selen's father said calmly.
Selen had expected him to intervene. Her mother hated public verbal confrontations and her brother would have been more likely to tear Lady Monrow's tongue out.
"Of course, Your Grace. Forgive my lack of consideration," Lady Monrow replied with a bow.
Selen gave her a look full of disdain as she walked away on her father's arm. The Empress had most likely encouraged her to put on this little show to strike at her long-time rival.
As they walked through the ballroom arm in arm, Selen could feel how stiff and restrained her father was. He was clearly furious, and rightfully so. Running away and coming back as if nothing had happened, putting the family's reputation at risk, was no small matter. Yet she knew her family would not say anything about it in public. The Ravenhurts dealt with such matters in private.
A noble Selen recognized as a viscount greeted her father and started a conversation.
"I see our young lady has recovered well," he said, looking at Selen.
A lustful look appeared in his eyes as he glanced at her chest. Selen knew men like him well. A wife who had given him several children while he spent his time in gambling houses and brothels. The kind of man who thought women were either fools or whores.
"Thank you for your concern. Thanks to my family's care, I am now in good health," Selen replied with a smile.
The viscount licked his lips.
"It must be difficult to have such a beautiful daughter, Your Grace. So fragile, like a young sprout. Fortunately, there is no need to look for a suitor since the prince is already here," he said with a laugh.
"Indeed," Selen's father replied.
"I see you are enjoying this pleasant moment," a voice said behind Selen, a voice she would recognize anywhere.
"Your Holiness," they all said at once, bowing before the High Priest.
Lumiel Delacore… so we meet at last, Selen thought as their eyes met. She had imagined this meeting many times. Would she feel fear? Horror? Anxiety? Yet she felt none of that. On the contrary, she was excited. Yes, that was it. Excited to return the favor, to step into his life and turn it into a nightmare just as he had done with hers.
"What were you discussing to be in such good spirits, Viscount?" the High Priest asked.
The viscount let out a small laugh before answering.
"I was speaking of the young lady who will soon become our Empress. As you know, Lady Selen has been unwell for two months now."
The High Priest finally seemed to notice her presence. He looked at her for several seconds before smiling.
"Indeed, I have heard such things. But as you know, one should never trust rumors," he said.
"And besides, it would be good for our lady to visit the temple to receive some prayers. It would only do her good after such a long illness. I would also take the opportunity to remind her of her religious duties as the future Empress."
"That is a very good idea, Your Holiness. She will go as soon as she has fully recovered," Selen's father replied.
The High Priest smiled once more before leaving.
Selen barely had time to think about the conversation before a young man asked her to dance. The first waltz was important during the Founding Ball, because after it the Emperor, accompanied by the Crown Prince and the Empress, would make their entrance.
She accepted his hand and they began to dance. Her partner spoke to her, but her mind was elsewhere. She only answered in short replies. Her meeting with the High Priest had shaken her more than she had expected, and the only thought in her mind was that soon this room would be filled with all the people who had destroyed her life.
As she kept dancing, she noticed a familiar face. At first, Selen thought she was imagining things, and yet she was really there, standing in a dim corner of the room, watching her.
Selen swallowed with difficulty. When the dance ended, she bowed to her partner before slipping away through a door leading to a small garden.
Her heart was beating fast and when someone touched her arm, she flinched.
"Are you alright, my lady?" Liam asked, worried.
She had almost forgotten that he was supposed to follow her everywhere.
"I… I'm fine. I just need to sit for a moment," she said.
Liam guided her to a bench nearby and handed her a handkerchief. Her heart was still racing and her hands were damp. She had prepared herself for this, so why was she still afraid?
"Who is there?" Liam asked, straightening with his hand on his sword.
Selen already knew who it was.
"Show yourself," Liam said, trying to see the person approaching.
Selen stood up as well to face the newcomer. No matter the shame and fear she felt, she had to face her regrets in order to completely let go of them.
The moonlight revealed the newcomer's face and Selen grabbed Liam's arm.
"Leave us," she said simply.
Liam looked at her for a few seconds, as if trying to understand, before stepping away.
"What are you doing here? Balls are not really your thing, are they?" Selen asked without looking at her.
Selen already knew, without even looking, that she was smiling. In the same way she knew that she remembered everything the moment she saw her.
"I couldn't miss your grand return."
Selen finally met her gaze. Neither of them dared to ask the question they were both thinking. Selen took a step toward her before stopping when she saw the cane she was leaning on.
"Do you… remember?" she finally asked.
Selen could not read her expression even in the moonlight.
"Yes. I remember everything," Arie replied, her eyes filled with unshed tears.