[New Notification]
Quest Progress Tracker Initialized.
Objective: Seduce Crown Prince Kaelion before the Winter Gala.
Bonus Objective: Make him pursue you willingly.
Reward: Skill Unlock – Temptress Aura (Lv. 1), +10 Charm, +20 Influence Points
Selene's breath caught. Pursue me?
A cruel smile touched her lips.
So that's the game, then?
She stood before the mirror, eyeing the faint traces of youth still clinging to her face — the softness, the innocence she'd long buried beneath blood and betrayal. This was the version of her Kaelion had once admired… before he destroyed her.
Good.
Let him admire her again. Let him fall twice as hard. And when he does… she'd smile as she shattered his heart.
The Academy bell rang — melodic, almost holy. But the whispers that followed Selene's steps down the staircase were anything but.
"Lady Virellia? She's back?"
"Didn't she drop out last year?"
"I heard she was bedridden after poisoning her own maid."
"Stay away. She's dangerous."
Selene didn't flinch. She didn't blink. She walked through them like smoke — unbothered, untouchable.
[System Alert: Your presence is causing disruption. +5 Reputation, +1 Hidden Affection from an Observer.]
Her eyes flicked sideways.
On the second floor balcony, a figure stood watching her.
Kaelion.
Golden eyes. Impossibly still. Cold as always. But his jaw clenched the moment their eyes met.
And just like that, Selene looked away first — but not before offering the subtlest smirk.
Let him wonder. Let him doubt what he thought he knew.
Later that Day — Academy Courtyard
"Selene Virellia."
The voice was sharp. Calculated.
She turned.
Lady Marienne Astor. The heroine of the past timeline. The one who had replaced her in Kaelion's heart. The one who cried, bled, and smiled her way into sainthood — while Selene was dragged to the pyre.
Selene tilted her head. "You remember me. How flattering."
Marienne stepped closer, all silk and smiles. "I just wanted to warn you. Things have changed. You shouldn't get too comfortable."
Selene let out a soft laugh. "Oh, darling… I'm counting on things having changed."
[System Alert: Host has engaged in verbal combat. +2 Confidence. +1 Intimidation. Hidden Rival Status Established: Lady Marienne.]
That Night — Dorm Chamber
Selene sat alone, bathed in moonlight, system interface hovering before her.
Quest Progress: 2%
Prince Kaelion's Affection: -15 (Suspicion Mixed with Curiosity)
Lady Marienne's Jealousy: +30
"Good," Selene whispered. "Let her burn with it."
But even as she lay back, she couldn't forget the look in his eyes — the brief flicker of hesitation when she passed him. As if some part of him remembered what they once had.
Her fingers curled around the sheet.
This time, she wouldn't let her heart betray her. But that didn't mean she couldn't use his.