The look Frederick gave Selena was like a knife to her heart. They had known each other for years and were to be married next month. Yet here he was, filled with murderous intent over a young woman he had known for less than half a month.

All their years of deep affection and loyalty suddenly seemed laughable in the face of that fleeting flash of deadly rage in his eyes.

She couldn't help but smile bitterly. "Are you seeking revenge for her, Your Highness?"

"I am a prince! You think I wouldn't dare?" Frederick hissed through gritted teeth, every word dripping with menace.

Sally panicked and rushed forward. "Your Highness, this has nothing to do with Lady Campbell. It was Ms. Talmar who attacked—"

"Begone!"

Frederick raised his foot and kicked Sally hard. She fell to the ground with a heavy thud, coughing up a mouthful of blood.

"Sally!" Selena snapped back to her senses and hurried over to help her maid up.

Sally tried to speak, but blood spilled from her mouth, leaving her unable to catch her breath. Eventually, her eyes rolled back as she fainted.

A panicked Selena shouted, "Sally! Wake up!"

Sally had been at her side since childhood. Though a maid, she was like a sister to Selena, who had long considered her as family.

When Frederick saw Selena's desperate fear, his anger finally began to subside. Since he rarely saw her so shaken, he instinctively moved to offer comfort.

But then, Freya whispered hoarsely, "S-scum... it hurts..."

Then, her head lolled to the side and she passed out.

Frederick stared down at her pale face and the blood steadily soaking through her clothes. Whatever pity he'd felt for Selena faded in an instant.

"Since you've already returned the blow, no one is to speak of this matter again. Anyone who dares do so will answer to me. Now... take Sally and see that she's properly cared for."

With that, he lifted the unconscious Freya into his arms and hurried away. Watching his anxious pace and the tension in his back, Selena understood how much he cared for the young woman he held. But she had no energy left to dwell on it.

That day, after settling Sally and ordering others to look after her, Selena stayed by Sebastian's side. When he woke around dusk, he said nothing, his expression blank and wooden.

Selena said nothing too, silently helping her brother drink some water, then gently laying him back down to rest. Refusing to speak, he closed his eyes. It wasn't until midnight that he opened them again, this time with a calmer gaze.

"Lena, that young woman now has Prince Frederick's favor. But he only sees her as an innocent girl, nothing more. Don't read too much into it. I can see clearly that his heart belongs to you alone," he said.

A sharp ache blossomed in Selena's chest. Even with everything, her brother was still thinking of comforting her.

When Selena said nothing, Sebastian continued in a hoarse voice, "Your wedding to Prince Frederick is set for the first day of next month. You've known each other for years. Don't let a simple misunderstanding defeat you."

"I'm fine, Seb. There's no need to comfort me."

Selena squeezed his hand and realized it was ice cold, just like her heart.

"Get well soon. There will definitely be a way in the future, I'm sure of it," she said softly.

"Alright."

He closed his eyes once more, but this time he turned his head slightly so the tears pooling at the corner of his eyes could fall unseen onto the pillow. He didn't want his beloved sister to see him cry.

Selena saw it clearly. But for the sake of his pride, she had no choice but to pretend she didn't notice.

For the next three days, she didn't see Frederick. It was only on the third night that he finally returned, his footsteps heavy as he entered the courtyard.

"Lena, I don't know what's come over me lately. Help me. I feel like I'm losing my mind."

Frederick was still the same man. Yet somehow, he didn't feel like himself anymore.

He was once a man so confident and full of fire, but he looked nothing like that tonight. As he faced Selena, he looked like a man troubled by love and weighed down with sorrow. He even seemed somewhat weary.

Selena poured him a glass of liquor.

Frederick had always come to her when something was on his mind, whether he was happy or troubled. Tonight, it was clear he was troubled.

After several stiff drinks, he finally looked at Selena and quietly asked, "How is your brother's injury?"

"It's better," Selena replied cooly, her face showing no emotion.

Frederick knew as well as she did that some wounds would never truly heal.

He gently took her hand in his. "Lena, please don't be angry with me. It was my fault that day. I shouldn't have been so harsh with you."

In truth, he had always treated her well over the years. He never got angry at her, and if he even spoke harshly to her, he'd immediately apologize. He also never used his status as a prince to lord over her, except for that one time three days ago.

Selena lowered her gaze and instinctively tried to pull her hand away, but Frederick held on tighter.

"Lena, please don't be mad. I don't understand why I've changed like this."

"Changed how?" Selena asked as she looked up at him.

His face was marked by pain and confusion, and he looked utterly lost.

But he was Frederick, Warbringer of Aurensia. He had faced countless battles and weathered every storm without ever showing a flicker of doubt. Even if the very mountains fell around him, he would remain unshaken.

When had he ever seemed so troubled before?

Suddenly, he said, "Lena, my heart belongs only to you. It always has, and it always will. There will be no change to our marriage plans. Next month, we wed. From that day forward, I will love no one but you."

If this had been the old Frederick speaking, Selena might have felt deeply moved. But as she recalled the murderous gleam in his eyes directed at her that day, she suddenly felt that whatever he said no longer held much meaning.

"Are you upset?" Frederick's voice grew heavier as Selena stayed calm and silent.

She raised an eyebrow and asked in confusion, "Why should I be happy? Isn't that the promise you made to me previously? Why must you say it again now?"

Was he really saying those words to her, or was he trying to remind himself in a different way?

This time, Frederick avoided her gaze. After loosening his grip on her hand, he picked up his glass and took a slow sip.

Selena was running out of patience. She still needed to tend to Sally and Sebastian. Seeing her impatience only made Frederick's frustration grow. She had never behaved like this toward him before.

"Lena, can I share what's on my mind with you? Are we still like we used to be?" he asked.

Why had he loved Selena for all these years? Because no matter what he went through, she never left his side. When he was punished for crossing the king, everyone else quickly turned to flatter his brother, the fourth prince. But Selena stayed loyal, always by his side.

She was Frederick's safe harbor. No matter the storms he faced, returning to her was the only thing that brought him peace. And now, he hoped he could still find that comfort with her.

"Lena, I think... I might have fallen for that wretched woman."

"So, are you here to talk about breaking off our engagement?" Selena asked.

Her face remained calm and composed, but her fists slowly clenched tightly inside her sleeves. As her sharp nails dug into the flesh of her palms, there was a sting, but it barely compared to the ache in her heart.

Her troubled fiancé had come to her and confessed to having fallen for another woman, then expected her to comfort him as she usually would.

How strange the world could be.

How utterly cruel.

Selena's words about breaking off their engagement struck Frederick's heart with a deep and overwhelming pain.

"Impossible! How could I break our engagement? I will never leave you. Not in this lifetime!"

He grew agitated and gripped Selena's hand fiercely. This time, his hold was tighter and harder than ever before. Her nails were already pressing against her palms, and his actions drove them deep into her flesh. The pain was sharp, yet somehow, she hardly noticed.

She met Frederick's gaze with steady calm. "Then, tell me, what exactly did you come here to say tonight?"

"Lena, please don't be so cold to me. We've been through so much together. Are we really going to fall apart over something like this?"

Still holding her hand, he grabbed the bottle and drained half of it in one hard gulp, then slammed it down on the table. Pressing his fingertips to his forehead, he closed his eyes, his face twisted with pain.

"I don't know what's come over me. She's ugly, scrawny, small, and not even a fraction of your worth. But every night when I close my eyes, all I see are those eyes of hers. Bright and defiant. She looks at me with such boldness and arrogance, like she isn't the least bit afraid. That damn fool... she has no idea who she's messing with."

Though he was cursing Freya, the corners of his lips unconsciously curled into a smile. However, he didn't seem to realize he was smiling and still seemed as troubled as ever.

"Maybe she's different from any other woman I've known. She doesn't flatter me or try to win my favor. She never obeys me, and her rebellious streak makes me furious enough to want to kill her. Maybe that's why I can't stop thinking about her."

Frederick squeezed his eyes shut for a while before returning to his senses.

He opened them and gently said, "Lena, give me some time. I'll forget her, I promise. I swore I'd love only you in this life, and I meant every word. I'm a man of my word. Please believe me."

"Very well."

Selena said nothing more, quietly pulling her hand free. She looked at the man she had loved for so many years.

When she was just eight years old, he had saved her from a fire. From that day forward, she told herself she would marry no one else. He had only been twelve back then, but was already a young hero who was brave and full of confidence.

Selena had truly liked him.

To keep pace with him, she had spent her childhood mastering every skill she could. Not just music, painting, and poetry, but everything one might need on the battlefield. Though she had thrown herself into learning it all, she never showed off or boasted in his presence because he liked gentle women.

In his eyes, she had always been a delicate and refined young lady. She was graceful, well-mannered, tender, and almost fragile.

But now, he confessed he had fallen for a proud, headstrong young woman who made no effort to hide her spirit.

Selena stood up and looked down at the slightly drunk prince. Her voice was calm as she said, "Then, please be sure to rein in your thoughts once you return, Your Highness."

"I know you're still angry, but I meant every word I said." Frederick stood up, gazing at her stunning face bathed in moonlight. "Give me some time. I'll forget her, and you'll be the only one in my heart again. I will definitely fall in love with you again!"