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!"

With fury burning in his chest, Frederick took Freya and returned to the capital.

He was sure that silence would do the trick. Sooner or later, Selena would come crawling back to beg for his forgiveness. But after they returned to the city, Selena stayed at Blackmoor Estate for ten whole days, not stepping out of its gates even once.

At first, Frederick didn't care. But eventually, he couldn't ignore it any longer and sent a guard to find out what was wrong.

"Is she ill? Or is General Campbell still injured and needs her care?"

The guard returned quickly with news.

"Your Highness, General Campbell's wounds seem to be healing well. He paid a visit to the palace today to see the king."

Frederick scoffed. "He went to the palace?"

A general who abandoned his post had the nerve to see the king?

"If General Campbell is well, then what is Lena doing hiding in the estate?" Frederick growled.

Selena hadn't come to his residence to apologize. What on earth was she thinking?

"Did I kick Sally too hard? Is she still hurt?"

"Ms. Mauve appears to be well, Your Highness. She was out with Lady Campbell today, drying herbs in the sun."

"She'd rather be drying herbs than come see me?"

Frederick had planned to wait until Selena came to ask his forgiveness. When she did, he intended to lay out a few conditions of his own. But day after day passed with no sign of her.

On the seventh night, he couldn't bear it any longer and went to Blackmoor Estate personally.

At this time, Selena had just finished her bath. With beads of water sliding down her still-damp hair, she entered the side parlor, carrying a small box in her hand. Frederick glanced at it briefly but paid it no mind.

She used to surprise him now and then with small gifts. Back then, he'd always been delighted by the gesture. Now, after making him angry, trying to soothe him with such tricks only struck him as dull and unworthy of his attention.

Compared to Freya's blunt honesty, Selena's careful little tactics seemed overly delicate, even a bit insincere.

"I gave you several days to reflect. Do you even know what you did wrong?" Frederick asked, his tone nothing like the defeated man who had sought her out before.

Though his face showed displeasure, there was a confident spark in his eyes. On closer look, a hint of triumph played across his expression.

After Selena sent Sally away with instructions to bring tea, she invited Frederick to sit. Every movement was graceful, perfectly poised, and composed. She was truly a lady raised within the sheltered walls of a noble household.

Frederick had always admired her elegant manners and refined bearing. But as he looked at her now, he couldn't help but hear Freya's voice echoing in his mind.

"I'm not one of those delicate, flattering ladies who live by rules. Stop trying to cage me!"

The girls Frederick had known since childhood were all either ladies of noble birth or women at court, each one bound by strict rules and measured conduct. Freya was different. She was wild and untamed, which only made him like her more. He found himself falling deeper than he ever expected, unable to stop.

Frederick couldn't deny that Selena was beautiful, but she looked dull and lifeless to him now.

Selena saw right through his growing boredom with her.

Her expression remained calm and untroubled as she asked, "Then, may I know what you think I have done wrong?"

"Is this how you speak to me?" Frederick's displeasure deepened. "You're no longer a child, Lena.

"Because you were upset that I spoke with Freya for a few moments, you dragged General Campbell away first. Your petty and small-minded actions have caused General Campbell to desert his post."

This wasn't the Selena he knew.

Freya was right. Women were jealous by nature.

All the gentle obedience and quiet compliance he had once admired had been nothing but a facade. He had been mistaken about Selena all along. The woman he had loved for years was no different from any other common lady.

He was truly lucky to have met someone as genuine as Freya.

Frederick's face darkened, and his voice turned cold as he said, "Do you know what punishment General Campbell stands to face because of your tantrum? Fifty lashes at least, or even execution under military law. Have you considered that?"

He thought Selena would be frightened, but was surprised to find that she remained composed throughout.

"Your Highness, are you here to discuss military law with me? If that's the case, then what punishment should be given to Freya for stabbing a general and soldiers without cause?"