Control yourself

The voices of the people around her sounded far away. Selah can't focus. Let alone that. She couldn't even remember how she could now sit in the living room of the Dulcia residence with Aeneas beside her and Jeremiah in front of him. An elder Dulcia, who was in charge of replacing Selah, was also there, about to hear all the explanations.

Explanation of Evanthe Gilmore is Archibald Dulcia's illegitimate child. An explanation about Evanthe Gilmore, who is also Blair Seneca's lover.

"I never mentioned it because Her Highness herself asked for it. Please forgive me," Jeremiah ended his story.

"I think I understand the reason," said Ischa, the elder who replaced Selah in the Dulcia family. "But what I didn't expect was that woman's audacity to get Crown Prince Blair at the same time. Isn't the news upside down?" she said sarcastically.

"I think that's just the way it is. Because Lady Evanthe herself made up the news," tells Aeneas.

"What?"

Jeremiah shook his head in disbelief. "Really forgive me. I should have taken care of Lady Gilmore before she did something stupid like this."

Ischa let out a long breath. "I don't understand how Archibald could raise a stupid daughter like Evanthe." She turned to Selah. "Your Highness, you don't need to worry about this. Even if the news gets out, I won't be willing to hand Dulcia over to that stupid kid."

"No, I will try to keep the news from rising," Selah said after a long silence. "Dulcia's family will also be affected if the news goes up. It's also my fault because I'm stubborn–"

A gentle hand touched Selah's. When she looked up, she saw Aeneas looking serenely at her. "Just let me. You cool your head," he said. "Your Ladyship, I expect your help."

"Of course, Your Highness," said Ischa.

While Aeneas and Ischa were discussing, Jeremiah took Selah to another room to rest. Selah did look, unable to hear anything else now. Emotions control her mind.

Sure enough, as soon as she arrived at her room, Selah immediately slammed down the first flower vase she saw.

"Your Highness." Jeremiah was standing right behind Selah now. "I am ready to carry out orders from you. I was the one in charge of Lady Evanthe's affairs during Lord Archibald's reign. I'm sure I can handle this problem well."

"No. I want to finish it myself," Selah hissed. Her hands clenched tightly. "I want to see for myself what a beautiful face she is proud of."

"Control yourself, Your Highness," Jeremiah said carefully. "Remember your current position and how hard you get here."

Selah held her head. She really wanted to do something right now.

But she couldn't do it.

Even though her hands were itchy.

"Leave me alone, Jeremiah."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Evanthe Gilmore.

Out of all the people out there, why was it only that one person who took over all the people of Selah? She thought it was enough just Blair that he seduced, but it turns out that she is also good at winning her father's heart?

As she remembers, there was a time when her father bought a piece of jewelry at a fantastic price. Then not long after, Evanthe showed up to a party wearing expensive jewelry and proudly showing it off. In contrast, Viscountess Gilmore's wealth was ordinary. Of course, the jewelry became the talk. Now Selah knows that the jewelry must have been purchased from the pocket of the Dulcia family.

And not only that jewelry. The silk dresses, fur robes, perfume, and tea always made her smell good... All those things that even Selah never bought or asked for that Evanthe got from her hard work?

How dare! How insolent! No shame!

This feeling wouldn't disappear even if Selah ripped Evanthe's face to pieces!

Was this how Helena had felt for Viscountess Gilmore? How could her mother use to withstand this roar of anger?

"Selah!"

A hand stopped Selah from trying to hold onto the shards of a flower vase on the floor. The hand that was so pale was now stained with blood. Even the tip of the arm was also hit.

"I knew you would like this, so I quickly came here," said Aeneas. Slowly he opened Selah's fist and took out the vase shard, completely covered in blood. "You made a pretty deep wound."

"This is better than me going to kill Evanthe and her mother," Selah muttered.

"But that doesn't mean you have to hurt yourself, Selah," sighed Aeneas. "Now I understand why Jeremiah didn't force you to find out more…." He wrapped Selah's wound in his handkerchief. "And why do you insist on not wanting to know about it."

After taking a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. But a second later, she actually shed tears.

Slowly, Aeneas took her into his arms. Selah rebelled because she felt treated like a child. Even so, Aeneas still hugs him while patting his back.

"That damned woman," Selah hissed. "I really am stupid. Even though everything is clear, why didn't I think of the people being those Gilmore bitches?!"

Viscountess Gilmore was the second most beautiful person in Balthasar in her time. Considering how influential and likely Dulcia's family seemed at the time, it was only natural that Archibald would target her. Everything was simple, but Selah couldn't afford to think that far.

She… she really is stupid. How could she be deceived to this extent? No wonder Evanthe always looks confident. She has both Blair and Archibald behind her.

"Ignorance doesn't make you stupid, Selah," says Aeneas.

"Damn it, I can even imagine how those two are laughing at me," Selah stifled hiss. Her tears continued to fall. "I can imagine Father's face smiling at them while carrying beautiful gifts. The father who always goes every now and then for a vacation with his mistress and illegitimate child… The father who says sweet words to them… Meanwhile me… and Mother…"

Meanwhile, Selah has to face her father's beatings and screams every time she makes a mistake. The wounds her father had caused left her so much that Selah didn't dare wear anything pretty. There is no such thing as a vacation because his father and mother forced him to continue studying and working. No smiles or care for Selah. Even the smile and attention she got from Hacket was immediately thrown by her father.

Then her mother… Helena must have experienced the same thing. Their endless bickering and screaming, without the slightest affection…

How could Selah and Evanthe's lives be so different when they have the same father?

How could Selah's life be terrible just because of a woman who is considered beautiful?

"Selah? Hey, calm down! For God's sake–Jeremiah!"

Selah's head seemed to be spinning. Her chest felt tight – she couldn't breathe.

And finally, her consciousness was snatched away.