"I asked what was going on here." Light—the Crown Prince—repeated, looking at them one after the other.
Even Selen herself didn't know what exactly was happening. A fight? A settling of scores?
"Your Highness should understand that this is a family matter," Damian replied, a hint of sarcasm in his voice.
Selen saw Light frown.
"I wouldn't have had to intervene if you weren't doing this in the palace," Light said in return.
Which clearly meant: You are in my home, so behave with dignity. Selen had no desire to bow and apologize to that bastard Light, whom she hated just as much as Damian, but if she wanted to get out of this situation, only politeness and etiquette would work.
"My knight was insolent, and my brother, as heir of the house, had to discipline him, Your Highness. Forgive us for the disturbance," Selen said.
Light seemed to think for a few seconds before signaling to one of the knights escorting him.
"Find a doctor for milady's knight," he ordered.
"I don't think that—"
"Thank you for your generosity, Your Highness," Selen quickly cut in, interrupting Damian.
The knight led Liam away, and Selen silently thanked the heavens when he followed without resistance.
"In truth, I didn't come here for that. I was looking for you, and I would like us to speak alone, preferably," Light said, glancing toward Damian.
"Separating a brother and sister in the middle of a conversation? You wouldn't use your status to do something so terrible, would you?" Damian asked, stepping closer to Light.
This madman wouldn't pick a fight even with Light… would he? Selen thought.
"We can continue this at home, Damian. I believe I should speak with His Highness," Selen said with a smile.
"That's right. You may be her brother, but I am also her betrothed, and it has been a long time since I had the opportunity to speak with her, given her long illness," Light added.
Selen saw Damian curl his lips into a contemptuous smile.
Get me out of here, Selen thought as she took Light's arm.
"I'll take you somewhere more private," Light said as he led her back toward the ballroom.
When they entered, the music and lights disoriented Selen for a brief moment. Only an hour had passed while she was in the garden, and yet it felt like an eternity.
As Light guided her through the hall, her gaze met Jason's, who was speaking with a noble. With everything that had happened, she had almost forgotten that he too was supposed to attend this ball. The glance was brief, but Selen felt the full contrast of their situation in an instant. She was the Crown Prince's fiancée, while he was Duke Clover visiting the capital. There was no reason for them to know each other, and yet…
"We'll be more at ease here," Light said, guiding her down a long corridor.
Selen glanced at him, but nothing on his face betrayed his thoughts. He opened a door that led to a vast room filled with paintings.
"This is a gallery reserved only for the royal family. You are not yet part of the family, but that will change soon, won't it?" he asked as he walked further inside.
What does he mean? Selen wondered. Is that a warning?
"I am grateful for your generosity, Your Highness," Selen replied.
They were heading toward a small upholstered couch nearby when a painting caught Selen's attention. She stopped abruptly, forcing Light to do the same. The person depicted seemed familiar to her, but it couldn't be… it was impossible for her to be in the royal gallery.
"You're confused by this painting as well?" Light asked. "It was painted by the first emperor, Artheris the First."
He pointed to another painting beside it, showing a man Selen recognized immediately as Artheris the First. How could she ever forget the face of that bastard?
"But… this woman? Who is she? I mean… why is she here?" Selen asked, breathless.
She suddenly began to feel unwell.
"It's a mystery, even to us. She is unusual—probably a foreigner the emperor favored, since he placed her portrait here."
Selen swallowed hard. The painting depicted a woman with ebony skin, sitting in a garden, a book at her feet. What struck the most were her amber-colored eyes—filled with sadness that contrasted sharply with the bright weather of the scene.
A sharp pain tightened in her chest.
"Are you alright?" Light asked, noticing her breathing.
Artheris, that bastard… Selen thought. He had chosen power over Layla, so why paint such a portrait—and place it beside his own and his wife's?
"Sit down. Do you want me to fetch a doctor?" Light asked, concerned.
"No, it's nothing. Just a passing fatigue," Selen replied, trying to smile.
Layla had told her she was a part of her. Perhaps that explained her reaction to the painting. So many centuries had passed, and yet this old love story still haunted the empire. Had Artheris ever loved Layla? Apparently not more than the throne.
"I think we should speak another time," Light said, standing up.
"No, I'm fine. We can talk, don't worry," Selen said, taking his arm.
She couldn't bear the thought of having to meet him alone again in the coming days. He watched her for a few seconds before sitting back down.
"Very well," Light said.
A full minute passed before he finally spoke.
"It has been two months since you were supposedly ill," he began. "Some believe it, others don't. Your family chose to keep it private—even from the royal family."
"What do you mean, Your Highness?" Selen asked.
He sighed and turned toward her.
"To be honest, I was starting to believe the rumors that you had run away. But after seeing you in that state today…"
Selen almost widened her eyes like an owl. Was he actually going to believe the illness story because of what had just happened?
"In any case, whether those rumors are true or not, what matters is that you preserve the honor of the Ravenhurt family—and that of the Empress you will soon become. You are free to enjoy yourself before marriage, but do not overdo it."
She almost raised an eyebrow. What exactly did he mean? That she could have affairs with knights as long as it remained discreet? She smiled faintly.
"I will keep your wise words in mind, Your Highness," she replied.
"Very well. I assume you wish to return and rest. I will escort you to your carriage," he said, offering his arm.
Selen thanked him politely, and as they passed by the paintings, she couldn't help but glance once more at Layla's portrait. In this world, love seemed to be nothing more than a distraction—one that never came before power.
Inside the carriage, Selen sat across from Liam. She had been told that her family had already returned while she was speaking with Light. She watched the scenery pass by through the window, her mind filled with thoughts. Between what had happened with Arie, Damian, and the painting, her evening had been more than eventful—and the worst was yet to come.
"Punish me, milady," Liam suddenly said, dropping to his knees.
Selen barely looked at him. She hadn't forgotten his disobedience in the garden, and that was precisely why she hadn't spoken a single word since entering the carriage.
"Please punish me, milady," he insisted, presenting a whip.
Where did he even get that? Selen wondered, looking at it. She took it and threw it aside.
"If I had wanted to punish you like that, I would have let Damian finish what he started," she said, brushing lightly against the bandage on his face.
"What must I do to earn your forgiveness, milady?" he asked, his head lowered.
"Learn to obey. That is what you must do," Selen said, lifting his chin. "Otherwise, we will have to find you a new mistress."
She saw fear appear on his face. After releasing him, she turned back toward the window, returning to her thoughts.
"We were expecting you, milady. Her Grace the Duchess is waiting for you in your room," the butler said upon her arrival.
"In that case, I will go. See to it that a room is prepared for my knight," Selen replied.
When she reached her chamber door, she took a deep breath. As soon as she entered, she was not surprised when two knights seized her from both sides—nor when her mother slowly stepped forward…