Fight in your own way

Since the incident where Hackett was kicked out, Archibald's education has gotten tougher. At the age of 12, Selah started getting direct punches from Archibald. At first, Selah kept crying in pain, but as time passed, she knew no one would care, even if she cried.

Selah stopped crying and started looking for ways to stop Archibald from hitting her. Selah began to look for all kinds of ways to improve herself even though she knew that her father and mother would not care, even though she knew that her father would still beat her if Selah failed to do something.

Selah grew up to be a violent teenager. She became famous for being merciless. When any of his servants made a mistake, Selah would immediately punish them. She began to be considered dangerous when all his rivals were finished almost to death.

Among all that, no one would have thought that Selah would also grow up to be a cold teenager.

"What a mess. Were there any muggers?" Selah commented one day when she had just returned to her house.

"Excuse me, My Lady," greeted a servant. "There was… a little incident that happened just now."

"One look I already know."

"I mean… His Grace and Her Grace fought…."

Take a look around. Ceramic shards were scattered everywhere. Even Selah could see some blood stains.

"My goodness, did the two old fight each other?" she snorted amusedly. "Too bad I missed it. Who won?"

"My Lady…" The servants gave her a rebuking look.

Selah looked at him sharply. "Why?"

The servant hastily lowered his head. "Her Grace is quite badly injured. Now she is resting in her room. Then His Grace is receiving healing treatment."

"Well, that means they're fine. It sounds like no one was seriously injured." After waving her hand casually, then walked towards her room. "People like them don't die that easily."

In the following days, Selah realized that her parents had fought too much. So Selah decided to eavesdrop on one of their fights.

There were two reasons: her father's affair and the Tullia Mines.

Selah suspected her father had an affair, but she couldn't understand why her parents were only concerned about the Tullia Mines. The mine belonged to the Tullia family. Even though her mother was from the Tullia family, her mother was part of Dulcia. Dulcia's family does not own a penny of the Tullia Mines.

Until one day, Selah heard that Baron Tullia's family was attacked.

"I will go."

"Are you crazy? It's still raining outside. The distance from Mesina to Tullia takes a week."

"I don't care. I'll still go."

"I will not lend you a servant or a horse to take you there."

"You think I can't go there alone?"

"Why are you so stubborn? Didn't you say that Tullia has nothing to do with us? Besides, by the time you get there, your brother will be dead already!"

It was the first time Selah saw her parents fight right in front of her eyes. Helena took a steak knife and almost stabbed Archibald. Selah, who was too surprised, just stood there silent until Jeremiah and several knights came to stop her mother.

This incident made Selah realize how strong Helena had always been, how her mother always rebelled, and at the same time, how stupid her mother was for still sticking with her father. Maybe forever, Selah will not understand why her mother wanted to marry her father, but one thing is sure:

If her mother could hit her father, that means Selah can too.

Since the death of Baron Tullia's wife and son, Helena's attitude has changed. Since then, Helena's health suddenly declined. But stubborn Helena still tries to work as if resisting her illness.

"Mother? This is Selah. I brought lunch for Mother."

Not hearing any response from inside her study, Selah entered. Her mother was focused on various documents on her desk. Her office was messy then, and Selah knew full well that Helena was a tidier.

"Mother, I brought lunch," repeated Selah.

"Why did you bring it?" asked Helena without looking up from the table.

"Because none of the maids dared to bring it here." After exhaling a long breath. "If you want to get better, you have to eat, right?"

"Where did you get that food?"

"From the maid on duty, of course."

Helena suddenly rose from her seat, then, with one powerful movement, she dropped the food cart that Selah was carrying. All the food fell to the floor in an instant. The sound of broken ceramics and the fall of the trolley startled Selah. She didn't expect her mother to throw away the food she had brought her.

"Mother…" Selah sighed while holding back her anger.

"Get out now, Selah," Helena muttered in a trembling tone.

"Does Mother want to be like this forever?"

"Get out now! I'd rather die of hunger than have to eat that food!"

At that time, Selah felt very disappointed and angry. Her efforts to be close to her mother were not appreciated at all. Since then, she no longer cares about her mother's health.

And finally, one beautiful spring, just days before the flower she planted bloomed, Helena passed away.

***

[...No wonder my health keeps deteriorating. My hands shake easily, then after a while, I definitely won't be able to leave my bed. This is all because Archibald put something in my food. The same poison as Catalina described, the same poison King Tristan used on Catalina.

Those men, I'll make sure they get what they deserve.]

[... It's hard to escape Archibald's tutelage. Still, at least I've managed to get Aeneas through Sir Hacket the recipe and poison sample. I'm sure the boy must be afraid to do it, but he has to have the courage to do it himself because neither I nor Catalina can help him.

… Catalina and I can't run away, but Aeneas is still small and too weak. King Tristan liked him, so he must have let his guard down on Aeneas. King Tristan will definitely not expect that the son he loves dares to poison him.]

[It's already winter. Selah's 15th birthday is coming soon. If I'm lucky, I'll still be able to survive until then. Selah is about to make her debutante, and I'm sure Archibald will try to marry her off to Blair. I had to prevent it because I know Archibald did it for the Tullia Mines…]

[...Can I ask Aeneas to protect Selah? Both of them are still too small and weak…]

[Selah, you should be able to fight in your own way. Forgive me…]

Helena's diaries end in mid-winter.