Chapter 42

Usually, the chatterboxes would've been talking about with ease, but with the addition of the scary knight, their mouths were shut. 

Noah decided to turn his attention to the newcomer.

"Michael, right? Where are you from?" Noah plastered on his signature bright smile.

"I'm from…" Michael racks his mind; come on man, you designed this world.

"Sylenova" He finally answers.

"Ah, you're from the west? No wonder your accent is a bit different from ours." Yeah no, that was because he was literally transported to hell.

"How was life there? I was always curious about the west but I never got to visit."

Michael explained a few customs and cultures he was planning to add before he died. 

"I might be wrong about a few things, it's been a while since I went back to Sylenova and my memory is a bit foggy due to an accident."

"My condolences." Noah offers.

"It's fine, I'm doing better now."

Selina was still, like a child determined to show their best behavior. Seeing the two laughing, she desperately wanted to join in, but held her tongue. 

Reinhart on the other hand was not convinced. You just so happened to lose your memories in an accident, how convenient. 

"Miss commander, loosen up a bit, we're going to be together for quite some time." Noah suddenly confronts the knight.

Because of his status as the Crown Prince, Noah had to learn how to see through people since a young age. Around Michael, he felt…oddly comfortable, the same comfort that he'd felt with Amelia. 

Although initially surprised, Reinhart eventually warmed up, even occasionally chatting with the crew. Selina sighed in relief and joined the conversation as well. Even the little dog barked along, happily relaxing on Michael's lap, but ultimately getting thrown back to its seat by Noah.

After two days, they finally headed back to the capital. Home sweet home. Noah was dropped off to his palace but not before grabbing and exposing the dog.

"This is a human also known as Allister, the wolf prince of the beast kingdom. That's why I didn't want you to keep snuggling this disgusting pervert." Noah was merciless, Selina felt utterly betrayed, and the brown pup turned its head away in shame. After faring farewell to the two, Selina finally reached her household. 

She ran to her room and immediately sunk into her bed, god, it felt so nice. Then she realized that she should probably take a long, warm bath. The river water she cleaned herself in although purified, was still nasty and couldn't compare. 

As soon as she dried herself, Selina jumped into bed and fell asleep…

Selina was woken up by a searing pain all over her body. Arms, torso, legs, you name it. She wanted to scream out, but the words were too painful. It was as if a million fire ants were digging into her skin. Why? Just why? All she wanted was a peaceful rest. 

After who knows how long, the pain ceased. The only light in the room was the moonlight streaming through the window. Selina lit a candle by making a small ember. The light was enough for her to realize that…she had grown scales?! 

This isn't a false alarm, real fucking, iridescent scales. Selina grazed her a finger over her arm, the sleek and rough feeling of not human skin. She got out of bed and stood in front of her mirror. Selina slowly undressed, the scales felt natural, but it was still uncomfortable. They covered her whole body, her whole person. NO, this couldn't be happening. Selina kept glancing at her reflection, she felt disgusted at herself, she felt…afraid? Selina didn't understand why she felt so strongly against it, but she desperately wanted to get rid of these scales. She looks like a freak of nature. 

"Please, turn me back to normal. I look hideous, scale begone!" That didn't work.

Selina kept reciting to herself, the feeling of unwillingness getting stronger and stronger. Instead of her want coming true, she passed out instead.

A scene unfolded in front of her, a familiar outcome, but one of the players of the show surprised her.

It was obviously Amelia and shockingly…Reinhart? Throughout all the memories Selina had gained so far, not one included Reinhart in a meaningful way. How interesting.

Amelia was cowering against a wall, Reinhart trapping her in place. With a glance, Selina could notice the iridescent scales.

"D-don't look at me! I'm a monster!" Amelia cries out.

The redhead doesn't respond instead, she places a hand on Amelia's arm, gently rubbing the scales with her thumb The woman against her shivers from her touch, struggling in her grasp. 

"Don't touch me! Let go!" There were tears in her eyes while she spoke. 

"Lady Amelia…you're beautiful" Reinhart wipes away her tears.

"You're lying." 

"I'm not"

"Then prove it." Amelia didn't believe her, not one bit. She needed reassurance, reassurance that she was wanted, that she was loved.