Chapter 15: Trauma Acquired

Boredom strikes Selina after hours. "Ugh, when can I leave?" She looks towards Troye and sees him still being swarmed by nobles, his stoic face a little red. Even someone like him can get drunk, truly a testament to how many drinks he had.

She decides to find a new, private location to hide away at. Although the terrace was really pretty, it wasn't the most confidential place. 10 guys already came up to her to chat, which she rejected faster than their broken hearts could drop. 

Not knowing the royal castle too well, Selina heads to a server and asks them to lead her to a private room.

"A private room my lady? Very well, follow me."

He leads her and eventually they stop at a double door at the end of some random hallway.

"Just enter through the door, I hope the fine miss and her special someone can enjoy."

Selina blinked, puzzled by his phrasing, but her mildly inebriated mind brushed it off. "Thank you," she said, dismissing him. She pushed open the doors to find a wider, open terrace compared to her prior spot, adorned with elegant furnishings and draped in moonlight. Perfect.

She continues staring at the night sky, drinking more, and walks around. However, as she explored further, faint noises reached her ears, soft whispers and the occasional rustle. Intrigued, she followed the sounds, her curiosity piqued. What she saw next though, made her regret it.

Beatrice had Jessica pinned against the hard wall, her lips firmly pressed against the princess's neck. Jessica's face was flushed, her usual composure entirely absent. Selina froze, panic and disbelief flooding her. 

Oh, oh my fucking god. Selina stumbled upon something she shouldn't have had and hides behind a pillar. No wonder the royal princess let herself get dragged, they had this kind of relationship! Didn't Beatrice mention that her highness had a boyfriend that Amelia stole or something? Forget, it was probably a dumb lie that Jessica let her use against Selina! The audacity. 

Selina tries to sneak away but gets startled as the two individuals speak.

"Bebe, that hurts, people will notice." Jessica stares at the rough bite mark on her neck.

"Bu-but Jessy, you took that bitch's side today!" Beatrice whimpers, clearly aggrieved.

Bitch? Excuse me, you were the one who picked a fight! Selina holds back her tongue.

"Bebe, I was being friendly. Amy is my friend too y'know, and she's an Amister. I can't afford to provoke the Duke's family. I can't keep protecting you." Jessica softly explains, gently caressing Beatrice's cheek.

Beatrice continues staring at Jessica, her pretty lavender eyes a slight red from her tears. She bites Jessica's fair neck again, this time leaving a gentler mark.

"Good girl," Jessica murmured, smiling softly as she stroked Beatrice's hair. "Just be patient, okay?"

"I'm sorry, I'll do better, promise."

The look in both their eyes turn more passionate as their lips meet and–nope, not today. Selina bolts out of there like her life depends on it. High society is scary she notes down mentally. Selina makes her way back to Troye, who's thankfully alone.

"Amelia," he said coolly, his gaze sharp despite his earlier flush. "I was just about to look for you. Let's go."

"Totally on board with that," she replied, eager to leave the chaos behind.

After bidding a few farewells, they enter back in the carriage.

"You seem…awfully red. One too many drinks I suppose?" His cool voice has a slight trace of mockery.

The flashes of the traumatic event Selina walked in on raced in her mind, but she manages a calm comeback.

"..The same can apply for you as well, your grace."

"Unlike someone, I was busy socializing with important individuals."

"How noble that is of you."

"You're welcome."

The rest of the ride is uneventful as Selina falls asleep, bumping her head occasionally, much to Troye's glee. As they arrive to the palace, he deeply sighs before exiting. He picks up Selina like a sack of rice and carries her back. The workers are bewildered but greet him.

"I'll take her off your hands." A familiar redhead offers.

"Do as you wish, I'll need to clean my hands thoroughly after touching commoner."

Troye casually throws Selina into Reinhart's hands and walks off. Reinhart's gaze softened as she looked at Selina's sleeping face. She adjusted her hold and carried Selina to her chambers. Halfway there, Selina stirred, nuzzling against Reinhart's neck with a sleepy whisper.

"I-itchy…" she mumbled, her breath warm against Reinhart's skin.

Reinhart's entire body stiffened. "T-that isn't very dignified, Lady Amelia," she stammered, her usual icy tone faltering.

Now, they were both feeling itchy. "tired~" Selina continues snuggling closer, very comfortable. Reinhart inhales a sharp breath and subconsciously walks faster, not fast enough to disturb Selina's comfort though. She places her down onto the bed and quickly leaves, closing the door behind her quietly. 

Reinhart touches her hot face, damn, this woman was making her feel totally unnatural. She must be out of her mind today, yeah, that's totally it…

Selina gets woken up by her personal maid and grips her aching head. Ugh, hangovers suck. 

"My lady, his grace had advised me to hand this over to you." The woman passes Selina a clear potion.

"What's this?"

"It clears your mind."

How convenient. Selina downs the potion and her hangover completely disappears. Woohoo! Bad news, a few memories from last night appear as well. Selina's face flushes red once more, worrying her maid.

"Lady Amelia? Should I call over the physician? Are you sick?"

"N-no, I'm fine. Help me get dressed."

After getting dressed, Selina makes her way down to the dining table and eats. She then heads to Troye's office. 

"May I come in?"

"Amelia? Enter."

The door opens and Selina stands before the Duke.

"What is it?" Troye questions bluntly.

"I need you to do me a favor and get information on Evelyn Windsor."

"What for?"

"We got acquainted during the banquet, but I don't recall seeing her around before."

"You…might've done something useful for once. It makes sense that you aren't familiar with her as she was once from a baron's family. Her background is of wealthy tradesmen and her father is a very successful merchant and entrepreneur. The high quality dress you wore to the ball came from one of the many stores her family owns. Through his strengths, even his majesty took notice and raised their ranks to the status of a count, still below us, obviously."

"Amelia, they are influential people, latch onto her and become close. I'm giving you one job, don't ruin it."

"...Thank you and I'll try not to let you down." Selina exits the office.

She came for information and got sent to do a job instead, well, not that it really mattered, becoming closer with Evelyn was something she wanted to do regardless. However, it felt more annoying now that Troye told her to do the same. 

Selina makes her way to the courtyard, continuing with her training. Reinhart seemed awfully jumpy around her, eh, maybe the potion didn't fully clear her mind after all.