Secrets and Motives

Selene saunters through the foyer with Carol in tow behind her. Her stomach feels queasy as she takes each step towards the garden where the Marchioness is waiting. She already changed into an ankle-length dress made of soft golden tulle. It has a demure scoop neckline with sheer butterfly sleeves. The dress also has intricately embroidered flowers and crawling vines that set their scheduled garden tea-party mood.

Feeling grateful that she's only wearing mid-heel pumps with a pair of white-lace stockings, she speeds up her pace only to be stopped by Carol's hand.

"My Lady, you shouldn't run," Carol chided lightly. If Selene only looks like a proper twenty-nine-year-old adult, they will undoubtedly resemble in terms of height, and she wouldn't have to crane her neck while looking at her. As of now, she definitely looks like a fourteen-year-old brat with the mind of an adult.

Selene sighs. She doesn't want to look like a child, "I'm not running," she answered while pouting. Yeah, she also has to sometimes act like one.

Carol raises her eyebrow and gives her a look, which means she doesn't buy it one bit. Selene weaves her arms around Carol's and urges her to walk with her side. Carol looked at her in panic. She tried to get away from her clutches, but she only tightened her hold on her.

Selene smiled at her widely. "It's because you're walking too slowly. Let's walk like this until we reach the garden. Don't worry; no one is around to ogle at us."

It was Carol's turn to sigh heavily before letting her body relax in her arms. "This is why Lady Sinclair is severe with her lessons with you. You shouldn't treat a mere maid like me as an equal,"

Selene ignored her comment and proceeded to walk together with her. "What are you saying? You're my friend. Since the first time I came into this mansion, you're the only one who's always been honest with me and was not afraid to speak your mind. Although, you can be such a nag,"

A stifled laugh escapes Carol's lips, and Selene couldn't help but laugh out loud. They were laughing all throughout their walk to the garden while settling into their usual banter. They only separated when they reached the Marchioness' beloved rose garden. From a distance, she can already see her quietly sitting on her chair as she looks at the roses with an undeniable longing in her eyes. The roses planted in the garden have varying colors. There are red, white, pink, yellow, purple, and orange roses that brought about a perfect blend of rich, sweet, and citrusy scent. A strong gust of wind blew towards their direction, and Selene's carefully woven bluish-silver hair dance along with the breeze. Even her hair has beautiful headpieces skilfully attached to it with flowers as its main attraction.

The Head Butler, Mr. Rogers, noticed her and greeted her with a bow. Selene smiles at him as she tries to walk as elegantly as she can until she reaches the Marchioness. She greeted her with a deep curtsy.

"Good afternoon, My Lady," Selene, speak softly.

Lady Isabela looks at her with a smile. Her mossy-green eyes sparkle with mirth that is so unlike her when the first time she saw her. The Marchioness is slowly regaining her energy, and everyone in the mansion is delighted about it.

"Call me, Mother. When will you get used to it?" she candidly replied that Selene has to swallow her saliva to dampen her dry throat repeatedly. Of course, she will never get used to it. Selene only has one mother, and she already died a long time ago. She doesn't know how to act in front of her without feeling conscious about it.

"Yes, Mother," Selene replies reluctantly. She takes the seat across from her, and Carol, along with another maid, started serving them with tea.

"How were your lessons?" Lady Ysabela asks pleasantly before steadily sipping her tea. "Is Lady Sinclair giving you a hard time?"

How the hell did she know that? She doesn't want her to worry about those trivial matters. Selene waves both her hand while laughing. "No, she's always been nice and patient with me. I'm doing fine,"

Selene nervously picks up her teacup and starts sipping it. The dark-colored brewed tea has a bitter and citrusy taste that makes her spirit wide awake. Although the Marchioness looks like she didn't believe what she said, thankfully, she decided to let it go.

She tucks a few strands of her dark hair that escapes her tight bun behind her ear, "Is that so? You're new magic instructor will be arriving tomorrow. I made sure to find someone who has the integrity and skills to teach you everything you need to know."

"I'm grateful for your kindness, Mother. I will make sure to do my best with my lessons,"

The Marchioness's hand motions towards Mr. Rogers, and he suddenly hands out an envelope towards her. Selene looks at it curiously when she pushes the envelope towards her. Selene takes it hesitantly, and her hand froze when she recognized the seal. It bears the royal family's seal depicting an image of two blue dragons facing off each other.

Selene's heart almost jumps out of her chest when the Marchioness spoke. Well, she's already expecting, but it's still nerve-wracking. "It's a formal invitation sent by the palace for the Third Prince's birthday celebration. I already sent a reply that we're attending. As per the agreement with Prince Nicolai, we will be staying in the capital for quite some time. There are also some things that I need to do. And it seems that the festivity will be extended because there will be an announcement coming from the Emperor."

"An announcement?" Selene echoes worriedly. She opened the letter and started reading its content. Just like, how Selene quickly managed to understand the language from the North, she also didn't have any problems in learning the official language of the Empire. It's like her brain is wired to understand every language in this world, and it's a great cheat ability that she can have.

As she thoroughly read the letter, Selene's hearts couldn't control the rapid beating of her heart. She can feel her hand sweating. It is just as the Marchioness said; it's a formal invitation for the birthday celebration of Prince Nicolai. The party will be held next month, and she only has a few weeks to prepare herself. However, what could be the announcement that she's talking about? She must have read her mind because she answered the question she's been itching to ask.

"No one knows the details, but there are speculations that he will be announcing the next heir to the throne. As such, the factions that support the First and Second Prince are on edge. Each waiting for the other to make a mistake and be removed in the list of the successors,"

Selene cocks her head in confusion. From what she knows, the First Prince was already declared as the next successor. "Isn't the First Prince already crowned as the next Emperor?"

"Yes, but it can still change. Nothing is set in stone. When the previous Empress died, the support from the nobles has gradually waned. The First Prince had also been involved in numerous scandals that put him in a precarious position. It is why the other nobles are starting to put their hopes on the Second Prince, who is also the son of the current Empress,"

"And no one supports Prince Nicolai," Selene murmurs distractedly. Even though she told him that she would save him if any of his brothers ascend the throne, his life will undoubtedly be in danger.

"It is because there's no merit in doing so. Prince Nicolai's mother is a concubine and a royalty from a ruined country. Although the Empire didn't aggressively participate in decimating the population of Arcova, the Emperor agreed to punish his wife under the laws of the Empire. As royalty of the Kingdom of Arcova, she's accused of high treason and deserving of capital punishment. I think the Prince was only five at that time when her mother had burned at the stake,"

"And Prince Nicolai was pardoned as he is still of the royal blood of the Empire of Ebon," Selene murmurs. Her chest suddenly throbs with the sudden onslaught of pain. This is the very reason that drives him to carry out his revenge. An innocent woman was sentenced to death just because she is from a wicked race.

Selene swallowed the lump in her throat. She had to blink a few times to stop her tears from falling freely. "Then, why did you agreed to help us? I've meant to ask that for quite some time."

The Marchioness's hand trembles as she settled the cup of tea on its saucer. She immediately shifted her gaze away from her and towards the rows of flowers at their side. It took a while before she started speaking, but her voice sounded heavy and painful when she did. "My son helped planted the roses in this garden as his birthday present to me before he died. He's always been kind and compassionate to a fault. Regardless of one's status, he has this habit of talking to people around him like they're his equal. He is unlike any other child, and I couldn't be more proud,"

The Marchioness's voice shakes, and she had to repeatedly take a pause, probably to gain strength to continue her story. When she looks at her, tears are streaming down her cheeks, that she had to wipe it off before continuing. However, this time her voice is angry and caustic that she can feel the hatred rolling off her in waves.

"Contrary to what the rumors say, he didn't die because of an accident. He's been murdered by the hunters hired by some high-ranking noble that rival even the royal family's influence and power,"

Selene's hand tightened on her teacup as she listens to her story, but she suddenly loses her strength when she hears the next words that came out of her trembling lips. The teacup plummets down from her hands with a loud thud.

"My son tried to run away with a female war slave from the Kingdom of Arcova. She was his lover. And it was a scandal that needs to be covered up in order not to ruin the family's name."

SELENE stares off into space inside her room while waiting for her new instructor to arrive. She hasn't had a good night's sleep since she learned the story about the Marchioness's son. Every terrible thing that happened to the people around her seems to be a series of chain reactions. It started with the fall of the Kingdom of Arcova and the beast's skin. The vile act of hunting them down like animals was instigated by the Empire of Ethion and even supported by the Church.

"At first, I was shaken by your presence. You have a striking resemblance to the people I've lost and longed for all this time. However, I realized that I've been quiet for so long that it feels so unjust. I wanted to have my revenge on whoever did it to my son. The Prince and I just happen to have the same motive this time. That's why I ultimately agreed to adopt you,"

When Selene heard her reason, she was overwhelmed with conflicted emotions. She's angry and worried—angry for the injustice that her son suffered and worried about how far she'd go to have her revenge. She's getting a headache just by thinking about it.

Selene hears a soft knock from the door, and Carol peeks in from the door's small gap.

"My Lady, you're instructor is already here. He's waiting for you in the study,"

Selene shot up from her seat and dart towards the door. She smiled at Carol, who gave her a reprimanding look. She quietly headed towards the study while walking properly because she can feel Carol's sharp gaze on her.

"I saw your instructor. He's quite handsome and so young to be a teacher," Carol suddenly whispers at her ear.

Selene grins and looks at her teasingly. "Really? Now I'm curious. He must be really handsome if you're the one saying it. You seem to have an exceptional taste for men,"

Carol looks at her with confusion written all over her face. "What are you saying, My Lady? When did I?"

"I saw how you look at Sir Ashnard, especially when he is training. I totally understand. He is such a snack,"

Carol's mouth hangs open in disbelief. "When did you see that? And what is a snack?"

Selene shrugs as she answered her question. "I caught you peeking at him just a few days ago. And a snack means he's so attractive you could just eat him,"

Carol stops in her tracks as if she turned into a stone. Selene thinks that all the blood in Carol's body rushed up to her face. Her face burns like fiery lava that she can almost see smoke rising from her head. Suddenly, Carol smacks the back of her arm so hard that she felt her bones crack.

"Ho--w, ho--w could you say something improper, My Lady!" Carol whispers, looking utterly horrified.

Selene snickers. "So, that was too much for you. Forget it! Let's just take a look at my new teacher. What about him, will he pass off as a dessert?"

Selene starts walking again, and Carol runs after her. She playfully glares at her while pouting. "You're enjoying this, My Lady,"

Selene vigorously nodded. "Yes, it is one of my joys to see you looking flustered. You're so adorable,"

Carol's shoulders slumps in defeat. "Yes, I'm not beautiful or pretty, just adorable," she retorted glumly.

"What are you talking about?"

"Besides, Sir Ashnard only sees you and no one else," she miserably continued without looking at her.

"Wha—"Carol suddenly cut her off when they arrived in front of the study room.

"We're here, My Lady. Enjoy your lessons." Her usual wide and warm smile is back as she waves her goodbye. Selene was left standing outside the door in utter puzzlement. A few minutes passed by before she regained her wits back and turned the doorknob. After entering the study room, she was instantly greeted by a familiar young man with golden blonde-hair and his usual smirk etched on his lips.

"You're my new teacher?!" Selene asks as she stares at Zeno incredulously. Surprised by his sudden arrival, Selene carelessly let go of the knob, that the door closes behind her in a loud thud.

"Fancy seeing you too, Selene. It's been a while that I almost didn't recognize you," he greeted in amusement.

Zeno starts to walk towards her direction when someone stopped him in his tracks. She didn't notice him right away because she was so surprised by Zeno. This time it's a dark-haired man who seems to be in his early-thirties with familiar golden eyes. Although it's the first time Selene saw him in his human form, she recognized him right away. He still has the same aura that unnerves her.

"I'm your new magic instructor, and this brat just decided to tag along," unlike his intimidating aura, his voice is now well-modulated and pleasant to hear. However, she could still remember how his voice rumbles in the middle of the night during their first meeting.

"Nice to see you too, Vladimir," Selene automatically greeted.

"As always, you're sharp. You instantly recognize me in my human form,"

"I immediately recognized your eyes," she whispers absent-mindedly.

In an instant, silence reigns over them, and Zeno clears his throat to break the awkward silence.

Vladimir continues speaking. "I am sent here by His Highness. I will be assisting you in your lessons. His Highness deemed it safe that I became your instructor as we couldn't let anyone know who you are. As for Zeno, he may be of help to you in one way or another; that's why he will also be staying in the mansion with me. I already discussed it with Marchioness Rozeman."

Selene quietly nodded, not exactly knowing what to say. She's not sure what to think when one of the Prince's most trusted subordinate was sent here to look after her. Suddenly, feeling lightheaded, she took a seat in one of the couches, and the two followed suit. Vladimir took out a brown pouch from his coat pocket and laid out different colored crystal stones on the table in front of her.

"Zeno told me that you could do healing magic. But first, why don't we check what the other types of magic you can use aside from healing?"

Selene sighs. Oh well, she will just stop overthinking and focus on what's in front of her. Besides, it is her most-awaited magic lesson.