That would never happen

Selah doesn't know what Aeneas has done, but they don't run into Blair the next day. Even when Selah returned to work, none of her work directly touched Blair.

Should I say this is a good thing? thought Selah suspiciously. Considering how Aeneas secretly hit Azel, it's not impossible that he did it to Blair too. Blair, who loves Aeneas, must accept it if he must be beaten.

Well, but that's not what Selah should be worried about now.

"What do you think of this place, Evanthe? I don't think it's much different from your previous house, right?"

Evanthe realized Selah's presence and immediately rushed to her. But the prison bars separated them. All Evanthe could do was hit the bars with mounting anger.

"You! You greedy, cunning b*tch!" Evanthe shouted. Lady Ischa, who came with Selah, furrowed her brows.

"She also called me that yesterday. It seems that it's been a long time since she looked in the mirror," said Lady Ischa. She squinted at Evanthe. "To think that I would have a descendant like you."

Evanthe laughed sarcastically at that. "So you recognize me as a Dulcia, right? I am indeed a Dulcia born from your family's head!"

"Archibald is a Dulcia, after all," Selah finally spoke up. "But he is an outcast, Dulcia now. I would be ashamed if I had to admit him as my father." She smiled crookedly then. "But you seem happy to have such a disgraceful father."

"What?!"

Lady Ischa let out a long breath. "Let me just say it now, Lady Evanthe. I've crossed Archibald's name off Dulcia's family register. Just so you know, being part of Dulcia isn't as easy as you think. We were raised with strict rules that had to be obeyed, one of which was about having mistresses and illegitimate children," she explained. "Do you think claiming to be Archibald's son will help you become a duchess?"

As if to hide her true intentions, Evanthe turned her face away.

"You're dead wrong. I am the line of succession to the head of the family after Archibald and Lady Selah. How dare you try to take my seat," said Lady Ischa sharply.

"I-I…"

"Even if you are a recognized child, Dulcia's family will never accept betrayal," Selah added. "Snatching someone else's fiancé, for example." Evanthe looked at her in shock. "Did you think I didn't know that you two were playing behind my back?"

"For a crown prince to choose a woman like you. I didn't expect his choices to be so low," chuckled Lady Ischa.

Evanthe furrowed her brows hatefully. "Shouldn't you be careful with what you say? Crown Prince Blair will not allow himself to be humiliated like that."

Selah and Ischa glanced at each other, then snorted in amusement.

"Poor child. You still defended him even after you were thrown?" sneered Lady Ischa.

"Blair didn't throw me out!"

"But it seems so." Lady Ischa smiled. "I heard that His Highness himself dragged you here. And how long have you been here? Has he ever visited here?"

Evanthe's horrified expression indicated that Blair had never visited her here.

From Aeneas' story, Selah knew that Blair had really dumped Evanthe. He said Blair was cold and ignored Evanthe. He ignored the screams of his lover, who was begging for his help.

"What a pity," Selah muttered.

Remembering how she had once envied the beautiful Evanthe and was always surrounded by the affections of Archibald and Blair made Selah feel stupid now. It's a feeling of futility that consumes energy because look at the contrast between them now.

The beauty and love that people out there always glorify turn out to be useless at a time like this. In the end, it's those two things that can bring someone down.

"You pity me?!" Evanthe shouted. "Come here and let me rip your face to pieces so Prince Aeneas will leave you!"

Selah laughed sarcastically at that. "Even now, you still believe that appearance is everything?" She brought her face closer to Evanthe at her request. "Just so you know, Prince Aeneas and I were married to bring you and Blair down. What interests us is only power and wealth."

Evanthe's hands quickly came out through the gaps in the bars, trying to claw Selah's face. But of course, Selah was faster than her, so she managed to dodge. Instead, she twisted Evanthe's arm until she screamed in pain.

"You power-crazy cunning bitch! You think your wealth is everything, huh?!" Evanthe shouted.

Selah smiled at her. "Well, it's a shame humans need more power and wealth, beautiful Evanthe. Can't you see for yourself from me and you?"

"Selah! Damn you! You see, one day, you will fall with me!"

"Don't wait for me, Evanthe. That would never happen to me or Dulcia's family."

***

"Are you sure it's okay, Your Highness?" asked Lady Ischa when she saw their carriage approaching Dulcia's residence. "We can delay our departure into Archibald's exile if you like."

Selah looked down at the trembling hands in her lap. Even so, she still tried to smile. "It seems I still have a lot to learn to control myself and my attitude," she said.

Lady Ischa snorted. "What do you say? Of course, there is still much for you to learn and experience. You are much younger than me, Your Highness," she said. "Or… you regret having been born and raised by Dulcia's family?"

"Not." Selah clenched her fists. "Dulcia's family is what got me to this point."

"That's right." Lady Ischa gave a slight nod. "Don't regret anything that has happened in the past. You can't be weak, especially if you intend to occupy the position of queen."

Affection is bullsh*t if it weakens you. So just hit it once to become a stronger figure. That was about the upbringing of the Dulcia family. So do not be surprised if all family members are hard people who tend to be heartless.

"I hope you don't change your mind," continued Lady Ischa. "I heard Queen Consort Catalina is a very affectionate person. You are unaffected by the love Her Majesty gives you, are you?"

It would be a lie if Selah were never afraid of the love that Catalina poured out. Catalina treated her very gently and lovingly. She always greeted her warmly and never said anything rude. The people around her would easily fall for her affection.

But not with Selah.

Even though she'd had a few moments of trepidation, Selah knew her limits. Helena had been educated no less hard than Archibald. So even if Catalina gave her the love of a mother, Selah would not be affected. Because Helena never did.

"Her Majesty does treat me well, but it's nothing to me," Selah said.

"It's good that you realize you can't be soft, Your Highness. I hope you continue like this, including when educating your children–what's wrong, Your Highness? Don't tell me… you haven't thought of getting there yet?"

Yes, they haven't.