Chapter 25: So Much To Do

"Oh, what a shame, I didn't expect his grace to be so protective," Evelyn spoke calmly, but there was a flicker in her eyes, one that told Selina she hadn't entirely bought the lie.

"My brother puts up an image of a cold-hearted man to protect us, but he, in reality, is so warm-hearted and a great brother," Selina said, her voice steady despite the cringe bubbling up inside her. She forced herself to smile, hoping it didn't look as stiff as it felt.

Meanwhile…

"I'm not doing this for myself but to protect the empire. 125 gold? Are you kidding me? I already prepared the materials needed—what more do you need?!" the duke sneered; his voice sharp enough to cut through the thick tension in the room.

"My lord," the count replied evenly, his composure unshaken by Troye's temper, "you're asking for quite a large shipment. I'll be at quite a loss. My business will be out for a few days to build the weapons, and although you prepared the materials, the furnace, energy, and manufacturing costs will fall onto my pockets."

Troye narrowed his eyes, clearly unimpressed.

"However," the count added smoothly, "you are an incredible man, and your knights serve the empire with honor. For the sake of future partnerships and goodwill, I'll reduce the price to 50 gold."

Troye leaned back in his chair, his lips curling into something resembling a smirk. "Deal. Since our business is done, you shall take your leave."

The count inclined his head respectfully, but his eyes glimmered with something unsaid as he turned and walked away.

…

"Amelia, I must say, you look quite dashing in your uniform." 

Selina glanced down at the ugly tunic she was wearing. The coarse fabric was stiff, and its muted brown hue did nothing to flatter her.

"...Evelyn, what exactly are you looking at? This tunic seems to be devoid of beauty," Selina replied dryly.

"It really highlights your beautiful features." Evelyn has her eyes set on Selina's body. The tight tunic wrapping perfectly around her muscles. Evelyn noticed that Selina seemed to have gotten more muscular since their last meeting. What was she exactly training for? But she didn't dare to speculate any longer, simply being in Selina's company was enough.

Selina shifted awkwardly, suddenly all too aware of Evelyn's lingering eyes. Footsteps echoed through the hall, and Selina turned her head to meet the count.

"Lady Amelia, a pleasure to meet you" The old, but still attractive man smiles brightly.

"Likewise, Lord Windsor." Selina replies with a smile. The count bows down in respect to Selina.

"I hope my daughter and the lady had a lovely chat. But, unfortunately, we have to get going now."

Evelyn walks towards Selina

"Don't ignore me next time." She whispers, her hot breath hitting Selina's sensitive earlobe. Evelyn politely smiles and performs a simple curtsey before leaving with her father.

Selina collapses onto the couch, calming her beating heart. She felt so strange, Evelyn was the only person she had met so far that could make Amelia feel so happy. Selina could feel the butterflies in her stomach, but those belonged to a different heart. Selina checks her neglected status screen, desperate for a distraction.

Selina Ashton / Amelia Amister

Memories Unlocked: 50% / 100%

Amelia integration: 40%/100%

Awakening of the Dragon: 9.99999% / 100%

Skills: Memorization "

Level 4: Exp 10%/100%

Flame burst (evolved skill of fireball) 

Level 7: Exp 65%/100%

Gale infusion

Level 10: Exp 10%/100%

Hovering

Level 3: Exp 45%/100%

Ability: Allows for easier remembrance of details.

Profession: Dual-Caster Fire/Air/??? (To be unlocked)

Mana: 450 / 450

Strength: E+

Agility: D+

Stamina: E+

Luck: ???

Charm: S

Mana Capacity: B+

Ever since her encounter with her supposed grandma, Elessia, everyday, she would be gaining new memories. Although, not really important memories, but memories regardless. It seemed that important ones only triggered during certain events or events that had connections to one of her valuable memories. 

At first, Selina didn't really care about Amelia integration. Becoming more like the perfect noble lady Amelia doesn't sound like a bad thing. But the encounters with Evelyn scared her. She didn't feel like the body was hers, which obviously made sense because it wasn't, but…it just made her uneasy. 

She found herself instinctively knowing the correct fork to use at formal dinners, recalling the names of nobles she'd never personally met, and even unconsciously slipping into Amelia's refined mannerisms during conversations. It was disorienting, as though Amelia's persona was seeping into her, threatening to overwrite everything that made her Selina.

What would happen when she reached 100%? Would she no longer be Selina? Her memories of her past life were slowly drifting away, which made no sense considering her memorization skill. 

Her stats haven't really gotten up that much and that damn dragon awakening taunting her at 9.999999%. What was she missing? 

Her thoughts circled endlessly, but they always came back to Evelyn.

Selina closed her eyes, groaning softly. Evelyn was dangerous, not in the way a demon was dangerous, but in a way that made her heart race and her head spin. That whispered, "Don't ignore me next time," the ghost of Evelyn's breath on her ear, was going to replay in her mind for days, she just knew it. And that smile, calm and composed on the surface, but with an undercurrent of something she couldn't quite place. Desire? Mischief? Maybe all of the above.

"Ugh, get it together, Selina," she muttered under her breath, sitting upright and shaking her head as if that would physically remove the thoughts. "You've got bigger problems than a pretty face."