The adversaries, who were watching Selena hoping she would make a mistake under the influence of alcohol, were all stunned. People known for their alcohol tolerance took their leave one by one after accepting defeat at Selenaâs hand.
Although each of them was a higher aristocrat, some could be placed into groups. Rosalyn and Fionel belonged to one, while Viorela belonged to another, just as Selena expected initially.
Just like intervening in the salon, she also had to endure some humiliation at the beginning of intervening in a herd. Otherwise, she had to look for some medium to get accepted in a group.
In Selenaâs case, it was neither here nor there.
Everything was organized for her like water, and it caused a stir in the natural flow of the social ecosystem.
Due to the emergence of a foreign species that was disturbing the ecosystem.
âWould it be alright to invite her into our group?!â
Everyone stood silent with their heads rattling to make calculations.
Someone should invite her to their group. From which she was going to receive an invitation for a weekly gathering. She was sure of it.
At the moment, she knew nothing of other gatherings. However, since the party had not even begun in earnest, there were still many opportunities to appeal.
âI wonder how long I have to stay here.â
Selena lifted her eyes to sneak a glance at Kalcion.
âHaa, oh God,â Baron Zion bowed his head, his shouldersâtrembling. It wasnât the time to step back in yet.
Meanwhile, since she drank so much, she needed to excuse herself to the restroom.
She was reluctant to bother Kalcion to go to the restroom, but walking alone here would also be dangerous. But unfortunately, Kalcion showed no signs ending his conversation, and her bladder had no mercy to hold on.
âThe restroom wonât be that far from the party, and people will keep coming in and out.â
Eventually, she decided to leave the party alone. I wanted to ask a servant for directions to the restroom, but she couldnât find a single one in her vicinity. This is what happens when youâre in a hurry.
She couldnât wait anymore. Once she became conscious, it began to get more urgent.
âLetâs look for it first! Itâll come out if I wander around. If it doesnât work, thereâs a maze garden over there.â
Out of nowhere, Fionel popped up in front of Selena, who was about to leave the party.
âWhat happened? Did you lose? Are you going to cry?â
She constantly teased Selena in her original tone since there was no one watching.
Regardless, an emergency light was blaring red in her head.
She passed by Fionel and went out to the corridor, and Fionel followed me there.
âYou want to leave? Itâs not too late, so just go home calmlyâŠâŠ. Ack!â
Come to think of it, Fionel would be familiar with the directions. She also had no want for blood. There was no one better than her who could direct Selena to the bathroom.
She was familiar with the palace and she was easy to manipulate.
Selena turned to grab her preyâFionel.
âThank God we met. Letâs talk quietly. Follow me to the bathroom. I wonât hit you if you stay calm.â
âYou, l-let go off me! Iâm not going with you!â
âOkay, go ahead. Letâs chat while weâre on the way.â
Fionel, stupid as ever, was easily caught in Selenaâs tricks.
âYou thought I wouldnât be able to go unless you told me to? Let go! Let go! I can go on my own!â
Fionel, after shaking off Selenaâs grip, took the lead and ran towards the restroom.
Selena smiled satisfactorily as she followed Fionel. No matter how urgent it was, she could never ask Fionel to take her to the restroom.
The way to the bathroom was longer and more complicated than she thought. If Fionel had not been put forward, she would have given up in the middle and gone to the garden instead.
She passed through the corridor, entered the other side of the building, passed through the winding corridor there, and appeared outside a bathroom inside a room made into a lounge.
Fionel didnât know if Selena came to a deserted place to start an argument, but thanks to her, Selena was able to come this far without anyone watching.
âSo, why donât you tell me now? Iâve said this before, but I donât think you really care for your lifeâŠâŠ!â
âWait,â Selena hurried into the restroom, leaving Fionel alone.
âW-What? What was that?â
Speechless, Fionel stared blankly at the closing of the bathroom door. The fact that she was used as a guide for the restroom beat her late.
âYou, you used me! Have you no fear!â
âOh, great.â
Finishing her business in the meantime, Selena faced Fionel with a refreshing look.
Earlier, she was planning to use her as a guide because she was in a hurry, but now, she had something to discuss with Fionel.
âI must thank you for your advice last time. Youâre not the worst girl, seeing that you guided me to the restroom like this.â
âYouâre so annoying. How did His Excellency pick up a human being like you?â
âPeople always happen to pick up the outstanding stones scattered across the ground.â
âIt wasnât a compliment. One thing that stands out in the society even though it has nothing, is poison.â
âWhy poison?â
Fionel went silent as if she was asked a decisive question.
Selenaâs smirk disappeared. Clearly from her attitude, she was convinced that Fionel knew something.
âHow much do you know for you to say it like that?â
ââŠ..â
Fionel, who was struggling with her answer, became as quiet as a stone.
âYou, Rosalyn, and even the Queen said the same thing.â
ââŠ..â
âThat I could die.â
ââŠ..â
âItâs so weird. For every one of them to say that I would perish if I stayed associated with the Duke.â
Fionel still kept her mouth shut. However, rather than being stubborn, she was next to losing her nerves.
With a little hope to gain something, anything, Selena stepped closer to Fionel. Meeting her eyes, she whispered in a low voice,
âDonât you think theyâre saying that because they know the reason Irelleâs dead? âŠ..I certainly had that thought.â
âHow can I know that? It was a suicide. Didnât you hear?â
Fionel finally spoke.
âI heard. But does a person just die out of nowhere? She mustâve had a reason.â
âShe died alone. How do you expect me to know the reason?â
âIs that so? Then why did you say I was going to die?â
Fionel was wordless again. Selena could read fear and anger in Fionelâs eyes.
Why would Fionel be afraid and angry at her while threatening her? She couldnât understand.
Fionel couldnât avoid Selenaâs burning gaze.
âI did warn you. Not to be reckless.â
Then she declared, emphasizing each syllable.
âBack then, I think you also asked if I had a rich and strong background. Well, now that I have the Dukeâs money and support, donât you think Iâll be safe?â
âHow long do you think it will last? I saw you today, you were about to go out by yourself.â
âThatâs how I can settle down.â
âHey.â
Fionel, who had been shifting to a corner, suddenly lowered her voice and came a step closer.
âItâs none of my business whether you live or die. But I donât want to harm His Excellencyâs honor because of a thing like you, and even if you die, I donât want to spare a thought in your honor.â
âThe Duke will take care of it.â
âThat is the reason I hate you even more. Why canât you at least have sincere feelings for His Excellency? Iâm worried that he would collapse while taking care of your greed because he cares about you.â
Selena knew Fionel was serious about Kalcion. Kalcion was aware of it too, so he could not treat Fionel badly.
But what she just said wasnât because of her jealousy of being rejected over someone else. Selena quickly read between her lines.
âIrelle, what was she so greedy for?â
Since the marriage was political, it was natural for Irelle to yearn for Kalcionâs money. She must have been obvious and collected a lot of sum until she got a seat in the numerous stores that initially rejected Selena. However, considering Kalcionâs financial status, there wasnât a path that could lead to her death even with that much greed.
âWhy do I have to tell you? Oh, I really want you to die right now, but it would be difficult since youâre tied up with His Excellency. Guess Iâm the one who should die.â
Sighing, Fionel pushed away Selenaâs shoulder.
Selenaâs body, which was defenseless, staggered back. In the meantime, Fionel darted away like an arrow and pushed the door of the lounge.
Just before she deserted Selena in the room, Fionel left two words as though she was a bit concerned.