I do not have a secret lover!" I declared before my brother could even finish chewing his bread.
The dining room fell into stunned silence. Father's brow arched over his teacup, and Darius looked halfway between laughing and choking. Both of them stared at me like I had just confessed to plotting a coup.
"I mean it," I added quickly, crossing my arms. "I simply need some new clothes."
"Clothes?" Father repeated, his voice careful.
"Yes," I said firmly. "If I'm going to start over, I should at least look the part."
Darius tilted his head with a teasing smile. "I suppose that's fair."
It was settled. Within the hour, I was stepping into a carriage with one of our knights trailing behind me — Father's precaution, not mine. Normally, I might have refused the escort, but today I didn't mind. I had a mission, after all.
"If I'm going to change my fate," I muttered under my breath as the carriage rolled through the bustling streets of the capital, "I might as well do it in style."
The city was alive with activity — vendors shouting over one another, carriages rattling over cobblestones, and the faint scent of roasted almonds wafting from a nearby stall. The original Seleria probably wouldn't have set foot in a place like this without announcing her arrival three days in advance. But I was not her. Not anymore.
I stepped into one of the capital's most luxurious boutiques — a place where the air itself felt expensive, and where a single gown could cost more than a commoner's house. At once, the staff recognized me, bowing so deeply I thought they might topple over.
"Lady Lioran! We have several new arrivals you may find most pleasing."
"Show me," I said politely, following them into a room lined with silk and lace.
I was admiring a pale lilac gown when the peace shattered like glass.
"Well, well… if it isn't her."
I closed my eyes briefly. I recognized that voice anywhere. Turning slowly, I met the smug smirk of Lady Aurelia Dreemont — a woman who had made a career out of mocking Seleria's every move. Her fiery red hair and sharp green eyes made her look like a viper dressed in velvet.
"Lady Dreemont," I said coolly, "what a… delight."
Her lips curled. "Shopping already? Shouldn't you be preparing for the Imperial family's banquet? Your fiancé will be there, after all."
I ignored the jab and inspected another dress on the rack. "I'll attend if I feel like it."
"Oh? I just assumed you'd be desperate to impress him." Her voice dripped with condescension. "Everyone knows how obsessed you are. Perhaps a new gown will finally earn you a glance?"
Her friends giggled behind her, each laugh sharper than the last. The old Seleria would have flushed, stammered, maybe even stormed out in humiliation. But I wasn't her.
I set the gown aside and stepped closer until our eyes met. My smile was sweet — too sweet.
"Lady Dreemont," I said softly, "do you know what happens to people who speak too much?"
She blinked, thrown off. "W-What?"
"They tend to regret it."
The room fell silent. Her smugness faltered, replaced by a flicker of uncertainty. I brushed past her, my expression calm and unbothered.
"I came here to shop," I continued, "not to entertain jealous nobodies."
Gasps rippled through the boutique, but I didn't care. The knight behind me shifted slightly — a silent show of support — but there was no need for further action. The message had been delivered.
Aurelia sputtered something under her breath as I continued browsing, but her confidence had cracked. She didn't dare speak loudly again.
Once I had chosen a few gowns — elegant, bold, and undeniably me — the attendants carefully packed them into boxes. Whispers trailed behind me as I crossed the polished floor toward the door, but none dared to stop me.
"Lady Lioran," one of the shopkeepers said nervously as I left, "thank you for visiting."
I nodded once. "The pleasure was mine."
Stepping out into the golden afternoon light, I inhaled deeply, the scent of fresh bread and rain lingering in the breeze. The city buzzed around me, carriages rolling past, merchants shouting, life continuing as if nothing had happened.
I didn't glance back at the boutique. Whatever expressions twisted behind those doors — shock, fear, indignation — they weren't my concern anymore.
For the first time since waking up in this world, I felt something strange but certain bloom in my chest.
Control.
And I wasn't about to give it up