Elina walked through the corridor. She’d been to the library. Again.
Anything to keep her mind occupied. To stop thinking about the nightmares.
She turned the corner toward her chambers when voices drifted from the guest room ahead. The door was slightly ajar.
And she could hear Selene’s voice, but there was also another one.
Male. Unfamiliar.
Elina slowed her pace. Sothing in the tone made her cautious.
She shouldn’t eavesdrop. It was rude. Undignified.
But her feet stopped moving anyway.
"...nearly two weeks since the initial proposal," the male voice was saying. Smooth. Professional. "My lord has noted with so concern that the docunts regarding Lady Elina’s transfer remain unsigned."
Elina’s breath caught.
Transfer?
Her fingers tightened on the book.
And she pressed herself against the wall. Her heart hamring.
They’re talking about ?
And then she began hearing, what they’re discussing.
"I will bring this to my husband’s attention."
Elina’s blood ran cold.
Not "I refuse." Not "never."
She’s considering it.
"That is all my lord asks," the steward said. Satisfaction clear in his tone. "I shall relay your cooperation. I’m certain he will be... pleased."
Footsteps. Moving toward the door.
Elina jerked back. Pressed herself into a side alcove.
The door opened fully. Elina shrank further into the shadows.
She watched as the steward stepped out.
Selene followed him. Her face composed. Professional.
They walked past Elina’s hiding spot without seeing her. Heading toward the manor’s entrance.
Elina waited.
Then she stepped out. Her legs unsteady.
The guest room door stood open. She could see inside. A folder on the table. Docunts.
About her.
Her breathing quickened.
No. No no no.
Panic clawed at her chest. Her vision blurred.
She stumbled backward. Her shoulder hit a decorative vase on a side table.
CRASH!
The vase toppled. Shattered on the marble floor.
Elina stared at the broken pieces. Her breath coming in gasps.
Then she turned and ran.
She burst through her door. Slamd it behind her hard enough to rattle the fra. Pressed her back against the wood like it could sohow keep the world out.
"Mother is selling off too?" The words ca out hollow. Disbelieving. "She’s actually—"
Her fist slamd into the wall beside the door.
THUD!
Pain shot through her knuckles. She didn’t care. Hit it again. Again.
"Why?!" The word tore from her throat. "WHY would she do that?!"
She bit her lip hard enough to taste copper. Clenched her jaw so tight her teeth ached.
I thought... I thought she cared. Thought I was more than just political asset. Thought after Alaric, after everything, she wouldn’t—
But the evidence was there. The docunts. The negotiations.
Knock! Knock!
The sound made her flinch.
"Elina?" Selene’s voice ca muffled through the door. Gentle. Concerned. "Please open the door. Let explain."
Elina stared at the wood. Her hand moved toward the handle. Stopped. Hovered there while conflicting impulses warred.
Don’t let her in. Don’t give her chance to lie. Don’t—
Her hand turned the handle anyway.
And the door opened.
Selene stood in the corridor. Her green eyes were tired. Worried.
Elina turned away without speaking. Walked to her bed and sat on the edge. Staring at the floor. Refusing to look at her stepmother.
Silence stretched.
Then
"Why?"
The single word carried everything. All the hurt. The betrayal. The desperate need to understand.
"Why did you sell to him?"
Tears began streaming down her face despite her efforts to hold them back. She turned to face Selene directly.
"Why, Mother?"
Selene moved imdiately. Crossed the room and pulled Elina into tight embrace. Arms wrapping around her, holding her close, one hand stroking her red hair with maternal gentleness.
"I didn’t sell you," Selene whispered fiercely. "I would never sell you. You’re my daughter. Blood relation or not, you’re mine, and I will not let anyone take you."
"But you didn’t say no," Elina choked out against her shoulder. "You just—"
"Because I can’t." Selene pulled back enough to et Elina’s eyes. Her own were blazing with intensity. "Not yet. If I openly refuse him, he can, and he has the authority to simply take you. Override my objections."
Her hands cupped Elina’s face. Thumbs wiping away tears.
"So I stall. I use your father’s condition as excuse to postpone." Her voice dropped lower. "And I can assure you, Ferick won’t be waking up soon. Which ans those docunts will remain unsigned. Indefinitely."
Elina’s breath hitched. "But—"
"You don’t have to worry about Lucius taking you," Selene continued firmly. "I did this to protect you. To keep you here, with , where you’re safe. Do you understand?"
Elina studied her stepmother’s face. Searching for deception. For any sign this was manipulation rather than truth.
She found only fierce, protective love.
"I..." Her voice cracked. "I understand."
She pulled Selene back into embrace. Held on tighter this ti. Like drowning person clinging to lifeline.
"I’m sorry," she whispered. "I’m sorry I doubted... I just heard you talking and I thought—"
"Shh." Selene stroked her hair. "I know. It’s okay. You’ve been through so much. Of course you’d..." Her voice caught. "Of course you’d assu the worst."
They stayed like that for long mont. Mother and daughter, though not by blood, but by choice, holding each other while the world tried to tear them apart.
Finally, Selene pulled back. Her hands moved to Elina’s face again, wiping away the last traces of tears with gentle touches.
"Now," she said, her tone shifting to sothing lighter. "Haven’t you been putting off packing?"
Elina blinked. Confused by the subject change. "What?"
"The Academy is opening in two days." Selene’s lips curved into small smile. "You’ll need to pack your things. Get ready to return."
Elina’s eyes went wide. "Oh, yeah. I almost forgot."
She stood, pulling Elina up with her.
Kissed her forehead. "Good girl. I’ll have the maids help you."
She turned toward the door.
Then paused and looked back.
"Elina?"
"Yes?"
"I love you. More than politics, this barony... more than anything." Her green eyes blazed with absolute conviction. "And I will not let anyone take you from . Do you believe that?"
Elina’s throat tightened. She nodded. "I believe you."
"Good."
Then Selene left. The door closed softly behind her.
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