"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!"

Selena said nothing and simply looked at Frederick with a faint, knowing smile.

He felt a flicker of disappointment. He had expected her to offer at least a few words of comfort to ease the weight on his heart. After all, he had always been honest and open, never hiding his true feelings from her.

Men were often fickle, and Frederick believed he had behaved better than any man under the sun.

Still, she wouldn't stay angry for long. Frederick knew Selena was kind and forgiving. Once she had time to think it through, she would eventually forgive him, regardless of what he had done.

"Cheer up. We'll get through this. Just wait for me," he said, forcing a smile before leaving.

When his figure disappeared beyond the garden gate, the faint smile on Selena's lips faded slowly. She turned and walked toward Sally's room. When she entered, she saw Sally sitting on the bed, wiping away tears.

Selena's eyes flickered with concern as she hurried over. "What's wrong? Are you still in pain?"

Sally shook her head but looked at Selena with tear-filled eyes. "My lady, I heard everything earlier. His Highness is too much! How could he treat you that way?"

Sally had sensed something was wrong between them the moment she heard Freya call Frederick scum. She had noticed how he didn't react as most would, as if he had grown used to being addressed that way.

Not even Selena had ever dared speak to him so boldly. It was clear how much Frederick doted on Freya.

"My lady, do you really believe he will change his mind?"

Selena stared out the window, her eyes calm and unreadable. "Whether he forgets Freya or not is no longer my concern."

Sally looked surprised. "My lady..."

"No one wants to stay in one place, hoping someone will occasionally look back at them. Since he has already walked away from the world we shared, all I can do is keep moving forward," Selena added.

Nine years of love couldn't be wiped away in a day. But once something was broken, it didn't matter how much one tried to fix or protect it. It would never be the same as before.

The old saying was right—some things just couldn't be fully repaired.

"Focus on getting well. We're going back to the capital soon." Selena stood and headed for the door. "I'll go check on my brother first."

Sally wanted to say more, but in the end, she just quietly watched Selena's graceful back and held her tongue.

Everyone thought Selena was fragile and gentle, someone who could be shaped and molded at will. But only Sally truly knew how strong she was.

When news came that Thomas and his wife, Lara Smith, had fallen in battle, Gideon fell ill and Sebastian fainted. It was the seemingly most fragile woman who single-handedly arranged all the funeral rites for her parents.

She seemed fragile, but everyone depended on her the most. Otherwise, Frederick wouldn't go to her for comfort every time he was wronged. He just didn't realize it himself!

After that day, Selena stayed with Sally and Sebastian, personally caring for both of them. Seeing that she neither cried nor caused a scene, Frederick assumed she had accepted the situation with Freya. With that, he felt somewhat at ease.

For seven days, they didn't see each other.

On the seventh day, the army finished its preparations and was ready to depart for the capital. A recovered but still weak Sebastian was leading the soldiers at the front, leaving Sally as the only one standing by Selena's side.

When they first arrived here, Frederick had been with Selena. They laughed together and were the picture of ease and happiness, drawing the envy of everyone around. But now, as they prepared to leave, the person next to the prince was someone else entirely.

Sally couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness. In contrast, Selena remained calm and composed, as if nothing had happened.

By midmorning, the army had been waiting for some time, but Frederick hadn't arrived. The soldiers waited another hour before the prince's carriage finally appeared in the distance, slowly making its way to the city gate.

Though the man himself had yet to arrive, the shouting could already be heard clearly by everyone nearby.

"You're already engaged to her, so why bring me to the capital? Do you think I'm like her? That I'd sacrifice my dignity for fame and status? I'm not and I won't. I will never share a man with another woman. If you can't promise to love only me for the rest of your life, then don't bother. Now, get out of here!"

When Frederick stepped out of the carriage, his hair was a bit messy. It was clear he'd been in close contact with the young woman inside. He hadn't expected to look up and find Selena standing in the wind, watching him.

A breeze stirred, fluttering the soft white fabric of her dress. She looked as graceful and ethereal as ever. It was a complete contrast to Frederick, who had once been carefree and confident, but now looked a little ragged, thanks to Freya.

After he got out, Freya sharply pulled the curtain aside before following him. When she looked up, her eyes immediately landed on Selena's flawless, breathtaking face. Her expression darkened, and she turned to glare at Frederick. The fire of her anger blazed brighter, a mocking smile curling at the corners of her lips.

"Well, your lovely lady is waiting for you over there. Why do you keep pestering me?" She jumped out of the carriage, her eyes burning with hatred as they locked onto Selena. "One day, I'll make you pay for that wound twice over. Anyone who crosses me will face my wrath, no matter how far they run. Just you wait, Selena Campbell!"

Having said that, Freya turned and walked away, showing not a trace of hesitation or regret. Frederick stumbled after her, and in an instant, his tall frame blocked her path.

He gripped her wrist firmly, his voice tinged with displeasure as he said, "The army's march can't be delayed. Stop this nonsense. Whatever it is, we'll deal with it back in the capital."

"Hey, scum, I've made myself perfectly clear. I am not Selena. I won't be like those women who are willing to share you, or serve you for your power and rank. If it's empty flattery and false affection you want, then go to her. Why are you clinging to me?"

Freya struggled fiercely but couldn't break free from the prince's grip.

"Let go! Don't touch me with the same hands that touched her!" she shouted.

Still, Frederick didn't release her.

In a sudden fury, Freya raised her hand and struck him sharply across the face. The loud smack echoed through the silent ranks of soldiers. Every one of them froze, eyes wide, barely daring to breathe. Even Sally felt a chill run down her spine.

He was a prince, the king's biological son!

Even if Freya was headstrong, she shouldn't have laid a hand on Frederick. Did she have a death wish?

Frederick's eyes turned bloodshot with rage. His fingers clenched tighter around Freya's wrist.

"Are you tired of living?" he growled.

Freya was startled by the fury blazing in his eyes, but still wore a proud, defiant look. "You think I'm afraid to die? If you've got the guts, then kill me!"

Frederick didn't kill her. Instead, he lifted her roughly and tossed her back into the carriage. Inside, the sounds of tearing fabric and a woman's screams soon followed.

"Frederick, what are you doing? Let me go! Let me go, you bastard!"

The sky remained clear and bright, with gentle breezes and not a cloud in sight. However, everyone's hearts felt heavy and weighed down.

Selena, Frederick's future princess consort, was here! Yet, at this moment, he was in a carriage with another woman, openly getting intimate with her in front of all the soldiers and even his future wife.

-

It was nearly an hour later when Frederick finally emerged. Of course, he hadn't actually done anything with Freya; his self-control was far better than that. But his hair was disheveled and his clothing was in disarray—worse than before.

The soldiers were still waiting patiently under the bright sunlight, but the graceful figure dressed in white who had been there earlier was nowhere to be seen.

"Where's Lena?" Frederick asked one of the guards.

"Lady Campbell has already left with General Campbell's troops," the man answered with a complicated expression, his cheeks slightly flushed.

Frederick's face darkened. He never expected that Selena would be so petty, so stubborn, to sulk over such a small thing. She wasn't just petty, but reckless too. Didn't she realize that abandoning the army was a capital offense?

"I've spoiled her far too much," Frederick muttered in frustration. "Prepare to depart immediately. We're returning to the capital!"