The problem isn’t with him or me

[Finally, it's my turn. Archibald and I got engaged, and since then, I've lived in my family's townhouse.

Maybe it's because I'm the daughter of a lowly noble. That's why many women don't like me. I'm not beautiful. They said I didn't deserve to be around Archibald. I don't care. What I want is the position of a duchess and to live in Mesina.

But this one woman looks eager to get rid of me. The daughter of a viscount. She is the most beautiful woman besides Catalina. I know Archibald is attracted to her. But that woman couldn't give Archibald a treasure like mine.

I needn't have worried. Here it was I who Archibald chose. I will be the duchess.

As long as I become a duchess, I should be able to protect many things: Tullia Mine, my brother, and Catalina.]

"Lady Selah, I have received word that His Grace will be home tomorrow," Janette reported.

Selah closed her mother's diary. "Finally," she muttered. What exactly did his father do during that time? "Any more news?"

"N-nothing, My Lady," said Janette. "Except… about your going out with Prince Aeneas."

"Of course it is."

Selah could deduce that Duke Dulcia had heard about his daughter's date with the second prince.

Selah couldn't tell what her father was thinking right now. On the one hand, Duke Dulcia definitely wanted his daughter to become a queen so he could control her. On the other hand, Selah has already asked to break up with Blair; Duke Dulcia should be quite happy that her daughter married a prince.

But why… Selah felt like there was something she was missing?

"Are you going to let the rumors go?" she asked.

"Yes. I've broken up with Crown Prince Blair and am now moving on to that very charming Prince Aeneas," Selah said disgustingly. "How? I sound like a slut enough already, right?"

"M-My Lady! That's not what I meant!"

"I know," Selah said. "There is nothing wrong with the rumors, Janette. I did cheat on Blair because I dated Aeneas before we officially broke up. Just let the rumors spread."

Because then Blair would be forced to let Selah go. The Royal Palace wouldn't be able to bear the embarrassment if the crown prince's fiancee had an affair with the second prince.

Now I understand why Aeneas took me on a date, thought Selah. Deep in her heart, Selah is a little sad and disappointed with Aeneas's way. It felt like her heart was being toyed with.

There's just one other problem: what about Aeneas himself? Wouldn't this damage Aeneas' image in the public eye?

"Then what about the charity event that will be held at Tullia's townhouse?" asked Janette timidly. "His Grace has asked me to prepare a dress for you to match Crown Prince Blair."

"Is the dress ready?"

"T-tomorrow, I'll go get it."

"No need, I'll go myself."

"Pardon me?"

***

"Y-you shouldn't have gone to fetch it yourself, Lady Selah."

Selah pushed aside the curtains of the carriage window a little. The shopping center is busy as usual today. "Why not?"

"Because… because of those rumors that—"

"They won't dare to gossip under my nose."

Janette continues to voice her concerns. But for once, Selah allowed it. After all, she knew she couldn't stay stiff in front of the only maid she could trust.

Soon they arrived at Madam Deborah's boutique. Again the boutique. Since Selah had come alone this time, perhaps she wouldn't attract attention.

Or so Selah thought, at least.

It turned out that she came at the same time as the palace envoy.

"What a coincidence," said Madam Deborah, as if they had no special relationship with Selah. "You both want to pick up clothes for Baron Tullia's charity ball, right? This way, please."

Damn it, thought Selah while glancing at the palace envoy. Raul, the bald man without a title that Selah knew as Blair's right hand. Wherever the two of them went on a date, Raul always followed. Selah had never seen Raul and had no idea how good he was because Raul didn't have any titles. But if Blair chooses him, it means Raul is a dangerous man.

And the dangerous man is now being told to take clothes. What do you want, Blair? Selah thought, confused.

That is to say, the Palace must have other errands…

"Greetings to Lady Selah. My apologies for greeting you only now," Raul said in a deep voice.

"Yeah. It's okay," Selah replied. She was blatantly watching Raul. Selah had always felt confident in her strength, but in front of this big Raul… "Crown Prince Blair left a message for me, right?" she guessed.

"Yes."

"What did he say?"

"His Highness said he knew what you did yesterday."

"It must be because you told him. You're following me around, right?"

Raul was silent and did not respond. Blair must have adequately coached Raul.

"Then what else did he say?"

"His Highness said you should consider your actions if you don't want to get hurt again."

Selah snorted sarcastically. "It turns out he starting to dare to threaten me," she said, amused.

"With all due respect, My Lady, I didn't mean—"

"Not you, but Crown Prince Blair," Selah interrupted. "Tell him that he should be watching over his actions."

Raul looked doubtful. "My Lady, for your own good, don't you want to be a little more careful? I say so for Crown Prince Blair's sake with Prince Aeneas."

Selah didn't respond anymore because their order had arrived. Madam Deborah kept them busy for a moment.

Janette took over Selah's dress and carried it to their carriage. Selah and Raul themselves pulled aside, preferring to talk to each other in the alley next to a closed boutique.

"Crown Prince Blair is a person who loves Prince Aeneas more than anything else. Do you dare to take action that could cause divisions between the two?" continued Raul.

"Aha. So now you're threatening me?" quipped Selah.

"With all due respect, My Lady. I am worried about the political divisions that might occur."

"Raul, there was one thing I was thinking about when Prince Aeneas suddenly asked me out," Selah said. "He is a person who has stayed low all these years, but suddenly he picks up his brother in a fight. In that case, the problem isn't with Prince Aeneas or me. Try asking your master, has he ever wronged Prince Aeneas? Because if I'm being honest, I can't even guess Prince Aeneas' thoughts."

"So… you mean, you don't know anything either?"

Selah shrugged her shoulders. "I leave the imagination to you, Raul. You can say anything to Crown Prince Blair."

Raul stared at him with those terrible jet-black eyes. "You asked for a break up… it wasn't entirely because of Prince Aeneas?"

"Even though I thought His Highness had trained you well, it turns out you are still impudent."

"Forgive me, My Lady," said Raul hastily.

Selah waved his hand. "If you have nothing else to say, you can leave."

"One more thing, My Lady," said Raul. "Crown Prince Blair hopes to reconcile with you before Baron Tullia's charity event. He will pick you up."

Selah snorted sarcastically, then took something out of his pocket. "Just do it if he can. Maybe someone will come ahead."

Selah gave Raul her engagement ring with Blair.