Mistress

The relationship between him and Selena needed to be repaired. The nobility was already buzzing with rumours about their strained relationship, and if he wanted to regain any semblance of control, he needed to act quickly.

The first step was addressing Selena herself. She wouldn't be easily swayed—he knew that much—but he also knew how to play the long game. If he could appeal to her sense of duty, her position as a noblewoman, and the political importance of their alliance, he might stand a chance at breaking through her walls. It wouldn't be easy, but Nicholas was nothing if not persistent.

He also needed to publicly distance himself from Clara. Adrien was right—he had built an image of being infatuated with her, and undoing that perception would take time.