— Selene —
WE all have demons, they said. That if you are guarded with an angel on your shoulders, there is a demon on the other side, that has been waiting for a right moment to attack the other one on the other side.
Selene remembers those words from the book she read as she hears the piano playing. The keys were played by her beloved sister, Serena; the swiftness of her fingers has a soft touch with the piano, yet causes a powerful music. She would admit that her sister is much more prodigy than she was. She remembered the words from the book, again. If everyone has demons on their shoulders, her sister is not like everyone else, she is a perfect human being – she might sound unfair for favoring her sister, but she would do it a million times more.
"What do you think of it?"
"Hmm?" She questioned her.
"My music?"
"Sounds heavenly as ever, my dear," she replied to her. She opened her arms, waiting for a hug. Serena gladly did it.
Serena smiled and gave her older sister a hug. "Well, it is my birthday gift to you."
She frowned, "You did not have to get me anything."
She shrugged, "I know."
Selene smiled, "Let me take you to your mentor, I would get a sanction for allowing you to be late with her lecture."
"You are no longer a student of Madam Bartley," her little sister retorted. "You can not have any sanction."
Selene chuckled in her sister's reply. "What makes you think I need to be under her supervision to have a sanction?" she paused. "Madam Bartley is one of the trustworthy mentors in the land of Trirovia, for the reason that all her students, even the old ones, are still under her orders – with or without her supervision."
Serena pouted. Selene knows that her sister did not understand what she said, but she will. Honestly, Selene hated Madam Bartley at her early age, for keeping her to study literature, music, math, especially math, which she found horrifying. However, as she grew up, it turned out that Lady Bartley led her to a life with a belief that you can do anything – if you put your heart into it, and she is a good woman. No wonder why her mother wanted to mentor her and her sister.
Nevertheless, she won't tell this to her sister. Serena has to figure it out herself.
"Lady Selene and Lady Serena," the man bowed. It is Sir Freddrick Houde, he is Serena's personal sentinel.
"Sir Houde," Selene said. "Forgive us for being behind the schedule, Serena practiced her piece." Sir Houde did not utter a word and bowed at me. "Do not make a mess there," She told her sister and gave her a kiss on her cheek.
"I won't promise," Serena replied.
Selene grinned. "Well, do not."
One last hugged and Serena walked with Sir Houde on their way to the carriage. She waved at them. Once they were truly gone, Selene went back to her room. It is the time for her own practice.
Today is her 18th birthday.
It is the debut year for every female in the land of Xahfrio. She is quite lucky she reached the age of 18. The history of the female Austrovs is often connected with illness and this thought concerns her father. She and Serena have a meeting with a doctor, mostly, every month. To ensure their safety and health status.
In addition, turning eighteen is a significant day, not just for the debutante, but also for their parents, associates, and pride. On the day of the debut, the debutante must perform her gift in front of everyone, in the eyes of every person of Trirovia. This also indicated that the lady was legally married, and the goal was to show her off to bachelors and their families to see if she was suitable. The last part is the thing that ruins it all.
Selene felt like a laughing stock for being a woman when she realized that. Not that she doesn't want to marry anyone. However, they always emphasized those words every time she attended the banquet for the last four years since the day her parents brought her into one. She did not act bothered by that fact.
She changed her gown to chausses, and a tight upper coat. This would be her last practice for her performance. The debut would be held in the palace of Trirovia, the officials of the imperial court would watch the performance that is prepared by the debutantes. And, as the daughter of Austrov, it would be humiliating in their stand if Selene did not prepare. Every child in their region got their gift one-month early to have a one-month preparation.
The Gifts would come out at the proper moment. It is genetically, unexplainable, except for the fact that it is called 'Gifts,' referring to the gods giving it to them.
Honestly, it is not the performance to the aristocrats that scared the crap out of her. It is that her father, the Duke Lawrence, has an amount of list of meeting his standards. Ever since then, her father always reminds her that she is an Austrov. And, having that name, also has a great responsibility.
Selene started her practice with proper breathing. Her gift requires her concentration and small, yet great amount of breathing. It needs to be in range. No one knows about the gift she possesses, except Madam Bartley. Madam Bartley is an unambiguous and sincere woman, she trained Selene, and if her powers are accepted enough, well, she can be helpful for the war that's been going on for four years.
At last, she would finally have the fortitude to avenge.
During her meditation, someone knocked at the door, it was gentle, however, it stopped her focus. She sighed, "Come in," when the door opens, it is her governess and the head maid of the manor of Austrov. "Miss Alina," she greeted her.
"Forgive me for disturbing you, my lady," Alina said.
"No, not at all," She replied. Alina has been taking care of her since she was young. In every step, laughs, and cries. It might be the Miss' task, but she is one of the people who expresses love to her. "I did not cause any trouble today, Miss Alina."
The governess chuckled, "It is not about that, my lady," she said. "Your father awaits your presence in her room."
"My presence?"
Alina nodded, "Yes."
"Thank you, Miss Alina," she stands. "Is my father mad?"
"Not that I can sense, my Lady," she answered her.
"All right," she said.
Selene did not see her father daily. The war is going and her father is one of the front lines and is the mind for the tactics. He is the strategist of the region, for this matter, seeing him every day is not on the list. She and Miss Alina walk through the halls of the manor of Austrov. The last time her father summons her presence is when she free a ton of birds at the burgh – it is a crime, of course, a commotion went through the whole town, the owner of the birds is not happy of course – the duke paid for all the trouble she created.
As a punishment for her, she cleaned the whole manor of Austrov. She still remembers the scraping she did to get the walls cleaned. She shivers at that thought. But, it happened three years ago, she is much more mature now. More or less.
Alina knocked on the door when they reached her father's room. "It is Lady Selene, your grace."
"You may come in," the Duke replied from the inside of the room.
They both entered the room. "Father," Selene said and bowed her head to respect him.
"You may leave us, Miss Crosse," the Duke said, referring to the head maid.
"Yes, your grace," Alina answered.
When the head maid leaves, Selene notices that Sir Acker, her personal sentinel, is beside her father. She looks at her, strangely, asking why she is summons. Sir Acker just smiled at her. Which is not helpful, and gives her more anxiety. For all she knows, she did not cause any huge trouble to be punished. She does steal sweets from their kitchen, but she has been doing that since she was a kid. She is not proud of it, the thing she is proud of is that she never got caught.
Conscription papers filled her father's desk, she noticed. War has been going on for four years. She heard from the maids and guards that it was tiring the people. Many sons and daughters were sent into wars by the age of 18. She also notices that her father lost a couple of weights. It does not look good, he must've missed a couple of meals just to win against the southerners.
"Selene?"
She blinked, "Yes, father?" she asked.
"Are you alright?" he asked.
She forced a smile, "I am, forgive me. I got lost in the moment."
"Sit," her father told her. She does as she is told and sits at the front of her father's desk. "You must be wondering why your presence was called, my dear." She nodded as a response. "And, I know you must be preparing for this evening." He cleared his throat and handed her out a piece of paper. "Read it."
Selene receives the paper. It has a seal and the mark of a snake, the logo of the Northerners. She read the whole document;
I, Duke Lawrence of Austrov, hereby decree the successor of Austrov in the hands of Selene Elysia of Austrov…
She gasped as she read the document. The thoughts filled her mind. She looked at her father, he was smiling. A genuine smile that she never sees usually.
"Y-You," she stutters. "You want me to be your successor?"
"Of course, my dear."
"I need to sit," she said.
The Duke chuckles, "You are seated, my dear."
She just realizes that she is. Her being her father's successor is something else. It is better than sneaking out every night to go to town and have a party with the people of Austrov. She must've been the successor of Austrov since she was born, however, the thought never got inside her mind right. A woman ruler is not often seen in their leaders. The last ruler of Austrov that is a woman is her great-great-great grandmother, Amelia, who was her hero and made Austrov thrive in the year 168.
She smiled, "Father, I—"
"You are free to take down the letter, my dear, if it is not in your heart," the Duke stood and went near her. "Your mother and I have discussed these terms since you were born, and we are also going to add your concerns in this topic for it is your life."
She went near her father and gave him a hug. The Duke hugged her back. She is more than blessed and delighted at her father's letter.
"Thank you," she said. "For trusting me with this position, and I—"
"You are the leader of Austrov that the people would want to, my dear," he said.
She let go of the hug. "What do you mean, father?"
Sir Acker cleared his throat, "Your father ordered me to follow you, Lady Selene," he said. "Your endeavors every night in the town, I documented that to your father."
"And, I saw how much you care about our people," her father said. "You mother would be so proud."
She smiled at the both of them. She bitterly smiled at the thought of her mother. But, this is what her mother wants for her, to inherit her father's position and become the Duchess who would rule the people of Austrov.
"I hope she is," Selene replied.
She and her father had a private conversation when Sir Acker had a private matter to attend to. She told him the gifts she received. She cannot resist telling him about her gift. The gift of the Duke is immediate travel between two positions without intervening through the spaces, in easier words, teleportation. She did not tell him about her exact gift, just how it felt in her body when she got it. Her father listens to her blabbering about the gifts and how Serena feels hostility toward Madam Bartley.
Her father chuckles, "Well, I also remember one person who resents Madam Bartley."
"I do not," Selene lied.
"Well, I did not tell her name, did I?" The Duke jest.
Selene winced. That is the truth, yet she answers with full pride. She did not ask anything about what is happening during the field of war, and what is the state of their soldiers. Instead, they talk about pragmatic and positive topics.
AFTER what happened in her father's room. Selene cannot keep her smile off her face. Being a successor of a Duke is not an effortless task. She must put the sake of her people, instead of everyone else. In that matter, that is one of the longest conversations she has with her father.
Their talk ended when a knight, from the king, knocked at the door. His presence was requested by the King. She bid her father goodbye.
She imagined what she would like if she became the Duchess of Austrov. In the state of the region, having the war with the Southerners, having children and marrying someone would not be at the top of her list. Not that she does not want to, but it would be hard for her to manage.
Ideas filled her mind to make Austrov thrive, more than any village. In this thought, she remembers the ways of improving the source of water, and energy. She hops through the halls of the manor, and goes back to her room to master her performance for later.
One great day, indeed.
THE feasts of the palace were always expected to be grand.
The people come and go to the palace. This is the only celebration where even the commoners are permitted to enter the premises without guards asking about their information of how they got here and such.
"I loathe the fact that my first feast in the palace is not my first banquet," Serena told me as we walked through the stairs.
Selene chuckled at her sister's reaction. Serena would have to wait for another two years to experience her first banquet. In Selene's point of view, banquets are not as festive as it looks in the picture. They went to the upper section of the palace. This is not the main palace of Trirovia, it was the Diamond Palace. This place is the Citrine Palace, where parties are held with the commoners.
On the first day and last month of the year, in the season of winter, every woman 18-year old was invited to attend the Citrine Palace, no matter what life status you have, you can attend the festivity.
"Father!" Serena greeted the Duke as she saw him sitting on the private balcony. Serena hugged her tight and let go. "I thought we are going here together?" she asked.
"Forgive me, my dear," he replied. "The King wanted my presence."
Serena pouted, the Duke messed her head. She is young, bright and smart, and having an anger against her father might happen after a couple of years, but not at her very age. Selene also hugged her father.
They both sat on the balcony.
"We will celebrate tomorrow, right?" Serena questioned.
They both nodded as a response. This is the Duke's plan. A private feast, with close friends and families. She would invite the princess, Averie Laxine of Trirovia, who is one of her close friends. Not because it was arranged by her father, or any nobles. They became friends after what happened four years ago. She never would have thought.
Speaking of the Princess, she is probably behind the curtains at the very front. The royal family have a special place at the front of the palace, for everyone to see them. Also, they would watch the performance by the people.
A smile from my sister and my father lingers in their lips. Perhaps, they are excited as she is, the thought of being a debutante and having a lot of privileges. She still didn't tell anyone about her gift, it would have been a sense of surprise. Her sister kept asking her for a week, Serena got tired of asking and stopped.
The people downstairs start to settle down. She looks at them, the smile on their cheeks are like planted on them. She smiled, no one in particular. Just the happiness the debutantes felt, hoping it was like this every single day.
"The Royal Family of the North," the Herald speaks at the front. "King Theodore and Queen Mildred of Trirovia, and the Princess, Averie Laxine of Trirovia!" he announces.
All of us bowed when they came out of the curtains. The King is holding Averie's hands. That must have been the closest interaction they experienced, Selene thought. His Majesty and the princess are not on the similar course often. After paying respect to the royalties, all of the people sat down.
"People of Trirovia," His Majesty speaks. "We have gathered here today to celebrate the rightful pride of our region." He lifted the cup, as we did too. It was not alcohol, which is safe in every age, just a juice with apple extracts. "I blessed this day that is given upon us, to guide our debutantes and wished for the gods to give them protection amid our crusade and invocation in solemnity to serve the region of the Northerners." He paused, he must have told that speech every year. Every word hits her, and is adequately convincing. "To the Northerners!"
"To the Northerners!"
They raised the glasses, and drinks. Then, it all led to a cheer.
As they are all drinking the glasses, Selene felt ill at ease. Like eyes are on her, she felt a little dizzy. She stopped drinking and looked around the other balconies, the aristocrats' eyes are not on her, but at the front, clapping their hands to the royalties.
She sighed. Perhaps she was tired.
"Are you alright?" Serena asked her.
She nodded, "Yes, I am."
Right after that, the feast started, formally. A buoyant music filled the room, with laughs and cheer. Austrov went down to socialize with the other members of the feast. Selene dances with her sister, while the Duke socializes with the other members of the Imperial court. She remembered some of their faces for the reason they paid the palace of the Duke a visit.
"Lady Austrov," someone called her.
She turned around, "Lord Hubert." Lord Hubert is a son of a businessman. His father was known for a company that made fine shoes. They are located in the west side of the region.
"May I have a moment with you, my lady?"
She smiled, awkwardly. She remembered the whole objective of this feast. She was about to answer the man, but luckily, someone called her. "Lady Selene," she turned around. It is the Princess Averie.
They both bowed at her, "Your Highness," they addressed.
Averie bowed at them, also. And, give Selene a hug, which took her by astonishment. "Lord Hubert," the princess greeted the man. "Forgive me for being rude, but may I borrow Lady Selene for a moment?"
Lord Hubert bowed his head, "As you pleased, Your Highness," then, he left.
"Why?" Selene asked her.
"Lord Hubert's family does not have a clear record in the right moment, and associating with people like that can cause a commotion to the family of Austrov," Averie replied. "And, I do not like him for you. There's only one person who I seem to—"
"Princess!" Selene warned her.
Averie and Serena just chuckled. Serena went off to socialize with the ladies her age. They were also students of Madam Bartley, and she trusted those children that they would not lead her sister into a horrible path.
"Have you seen him?" Averie questioned.
"No," Selene replied. "He is probably needed at the war."
"I didn't even say his name, my dear," said the princess.
Selene snickers, "You did not have to. Your eyes tell me."
"Well," she paused. "I asked my father to permit Nicholas to attend our debut."
"You cannot do that," Selene exclaimed.
She rolled her eyes, "The man is a general, he is also part of the nobility. On top of that, I heard that the Southerners are losing a lot of men, more than ours. A small leisure would not affect the whole North."
"I suppose."
Selene drinks the glass she is holding. If she has to be honest to herself, she is also worried about Nicholas. Nicholas is two-year older than the both of them, and he has been sent to war since he turned the age of 18. He did not complain, or react violently to that. Instead, he accepted his fate and became the youngest general. It is infrequent to notice a man with such a young age who has that much dedication to perform his duties in allegiance to the Norths. Perhaps his dedication was in his blood for his father, may he rest in peace, also a general before he passed.
The two ladies talked about what they did in order to master the gifts they possessed. Averie's gift is known by a lot of people, she inherited the gift of fire from her father. Selene mentioned her conversation with her father and the document. She is her best friend and Averie would never spread such information with other people.
Averie grinned, "Then, I am talking to the successor of Austrov," she playfully bowed her head. "Your Grace."
"Well, I appreciate your enthusiasm, Your Highness," she playfully bowed at her also. "However, I am still agitated about accepting it."
The princess raised her eyebrow, "Why?"
"That," she paused. "I do not know."
"I believe, you are harassing yourself with unnecessary thoughts, it would not help you," Averie told her. "This is up for celebration."
She chuckled, "But, we are celebrating."
"Not with other people, my Lady," she replied. She raised her glass. Selene did too. "To the new Duchess of Austrov."
"And, to the greatest Princess that Trirovia ever had."
And, they drink their glasses. The two debutantes seem to be out of reach of the eligible bachelors who wanted to talk to them. With their future position in the Imperial Court, they could live in harmony without associating with men.
Even with this thought, a single man entered Selene's mind. She thought she saw him in the crowd, but it disappeared. She continued to talk with Averie, and associate themselves with other debutantes and their ambitious mamas.
IT is time.
The moment where every debutante needs to prove themselves in front of everyone. Selene changed her clothes into comfortable ones where she can move freely, without thinking she might ruin the dress that Alina prepared for her.
The first one who performed is the Princess. It started with a bow of the one who would execute their gift, and the King would nod back, and a sign that he would let the debutante.
Averie did not change her clothes when she presented herself in front of her father. People quietly talk about it, but by the stance of the princess, she couldn't care less. She followed the sequence. Her father smiled, differently. Or, it is how the King smiled, however Selene did not see it often.
Averie concentrates her breathing, once she opens her eyes, Selene sees how it burns. Averies's eyes are green, the common ores for Royals of the Norths. But, today she saw those chartreuse burns. The princess began to dance with the rhythm of the musicians. Her eyes are closed, but performs excellent steps without blowing anyone around her. Her fingertips began to emit small forces of fire, all eyes were on her. No question asked. The fire within Averie doesn't look scary, but beautiful, which is frightening. She, then, made a big wave, in the shape of the snake, it went round and round in the whole place, but it did not burn anything, instead it grew, bit by bit. She snaps her fingers and the fire-snake goes beside her. She touched the fire as if it was a simple animal, that is meant to caress. She put the snake on her forehead as if she was talking to it. At that moment, she threw pieces of papers in the air, and the snake breathed into those papers. They look like majestic lights, if I did not know that it was fire, she would have run into their direction and reached it. As it was falling down from the ceiling, she snapped her fingers again, and made everything disappear into thin air. The snake circles around her and vanishes.
By that moment, all I can hear is cheering and clapping. Averie smiled at the people, and slightly bowed her head. She does not need to change her clothes to a fitted one and makes everything look easy. The King stands and claps his hand to his daughter's performance.
Well, he must be proud. That performance did not look easy and required hours of practice and sleep. Averie bowed at the people and left the center of the palace. When she reached the wing of the debutantes she pants.
"Are you okay?" she asked her.
"Of course I am," she replied. "I just need to rest my head."
Selene nodded. The other women help her to put Averie into a chair. She must've been tired from that performance, and that made everyone 'aww' in amazement. She hands her a glass of water, and the Princess gladly accepts.
"What number is your performance?" the Princess asked.
"The fifth one." She smiled, "You must rest, first."
"May the gods bless your performance," Averie told her.
"Thank you," she replied.
Selene left the princess in her seat. She must rest. Her gift is powerful, and consumes most of her energy. Averie is always enthusiastic, and seeing her be like that scared her. She, then, watched the other performance. The second one, can control the wind. Napkins and random things floated in the whole palace; it was not as promising as Averie's performance. But the lady does not have the blood of royalty in her blood, nevertheless, her performance is great. The next one is Lady Ellwood, she is a daughter of a viscount. Like my father, her father also became a part of the nobility when the people voted for her father. Lady Ellwood's gift is creating colorful flowers. The whole palace was filled with flowers as she lifted her arms, the whole palace blooms. It was dreamy and made everybody smile, she pranced with every step and the flowers would bloom. As the music becomes slower, her steps also calm down a moment and the flowers are going back into her. When the soft music stops, she hands out a bouquet to the Queen. The Queen accepted it with a smile. A few cheers then she left the center of the palace. The next one is Lady Caswell. Her gifts are shapeshifting. She smiled at the people and copied their faces, then made a play of how it is in the manor of the Marquess. It is all played by her, her parents, siblings, and even their maids. It made everybody laugh and caused a cheer. Selene herself found it entertaining. However, the daughter of the Marquess has ended and she needs to perform hers.
She took a deep breath and went to the center of the crowd.
She bowed her head to His Majesty, and she nodded. She heard the sounds of the people around her. Their attention was in hers, and nothing more. Now, this is what it felt like. She felt agitated, but she did not let it consume her. She started to breath slowly. The music started and that is where Selene focused her attention. Her body began to dance with the rhythm, as she twirled around the center of the palace. Then, she heard a couple of murmurs from the people. They must be. Couple of bulbs follow her around as she dances. The bulbs happily swayed with her, it made her smile and so did the people around her. Yet, Selene is nowhere near her finale. She winked at one of the children that kept reaching out the bulbs she used. Then, she controlled her breathing again and touched three tables at the front.
"Forgive me," she told the commoners who were seated in those places, but she needed those prompts. They just smiled at them.
Then, when she opened her eyes, the tables were floating in the air. She walked through them as if it was a normal path. She smiled at them, and the people began to talk. Selene almost scoffed, if they only knew what is her next step. She turned around and fell from the second table. The people's response was concerned, and they gasped. Selene smirked, she was right. Putting theatrics in her performance would boost her impact on the people. She was caught by the third table, and she swiftly stood in front of it. She captured a random flower from the performance earlier and went to the balcony of the Austrov and handed it out to her sister. Serena smiled, as did her father. The Duke gave her a reassuring smile and slightly tilted her head. Her hands are lifted into air and put back the bulbs in their right places, she also guides the tables in their proper position. She bowed to the people who were seated at the table and put it back. When her performance was done, she bowed to His and Her Majesty.
The crowd rejoiced.She must've done a great job of putting most of her strength to produce this kind of cheer. Her mother must be so proud.
When she is about to leave the center of the palace. She senses that the moment she is about to step out, the joy of the people is gone and they are bothered. Dark light filled the palace, but it is not the dark light that concerns her, but the presence. She experienced these eerie surroundings… if she is right, it happened years ago. However, her spine shivers in fear and her heart trembles.
It can't be it.
"Ah," it is a voice of a man, from the back of the crowd. The crowd made a path to identify the man. "What a grand feast, King Theodore," his cold voice did not contain any sort of happiness, or enthusiasm.
"Roman," the King said as if it was a curse name.
Selene felt her legs tremble in terror of that name. She could not forget the name of that horrid man, that still lingers in her mind, and what contains her nightmares. She kept a strong face in front of them, but she could not move her feet.
"Dropping the honorifics, Theodore?" he scoffed. "I am still the King of the Southerners." Silence filled the room, no one dared to talk and breathe. "Is this how the Northerners welcome their guests?"
"You are no guest to us, Roman," the King retorted. "You betrayed the treaty four years ago, and your people would suffer for your actions."
"I did not do such a thing," he replies, letting out a chuckle. "I just have to get what was mine." The King did not reply, hence he lifted her arms, exerting a fire. Roman grinned at him, like he already won the battle without lifting anything. "No need for that, Theodore, the thing that I need was here." Roman lifted his arms, pointing out to Selene's direction. He raised his hands, and lifted her from the ground to the air.
"No!" the Duke yelled as he was running through the crowds. "Let go of my daughter!"
"Your daughter?" Roman scoffed. "You are a smart man, Duke Austrov. Do not fill yourself with lies and make yourself feel good."
"Let her go!"
"I certainly would not!" Roman yelled back. "She lives her life with lies, the lies that you all told her!" The roar filled the room, "Especially, you, Duke Austrov!"
"I did no such thing!"
"See," he said. "You cannot accept the truth, and fill your brains with lies for years that make your mind all scrambled." Roman paused and studied Selene's face. "You, my lady, were trapped in a horrid lie, the Duke Austrov here," he points at the Duke. "Tries to take you from the person you really are."
"What?" Selene speaks.
"I thought you were mute, my lady," he said. "I guess you are just tongue-tied." He looked at her. "My dear—"
"Do not call me that!" Selene yelled. She did not let her fear affect her voice.
"Ah," he started. "Too much?" He rolled his eyes and looked at the guards that were about to attack him from the back. "And, here I thought, the Northerners have dignity in the sense of fighting fair." He uses his other arms and floats the knights into the ceiling and lets them go. Their armor scattered on the floor, the other knights halted their attack. Roman chuckled at them. "Typicals!" He looked back at Selene, "Ah, we're are we? Yes," he paused. "You are my daughter."
Selene did not know what to feel. Her eyes widened and her forehead knotted. Is this a part of Roman's theatrics to fool her, again? Because, the man did very well at the first time.
"Do not listen to him!" Her father said.
"Shut up, Duke!" he yelled back at him. "The lady is at the age of her maturity, she must know her origins before more lies fill her brains."
Selene did not respond to Roman. All she knows is that the man is mad and cannot be trusted.
"Speechless, my dear—" Roman halted her words, when the Duke appeared in front of him and punched him in the face.
Selene fell, she did not prepare for that action. She expected to feel a hard floor, however someone catched her. "Nicholas," she softly said. The man did not reply to him, and grabbed her arm when she was properly landed on the floor. She saw her father, battling Roman, along with the knights. "Wait!" she told Nicholas. She controlled her breathing and lifted her arms. She controls Roman and slams him to the door.
Roman smirked as he hit the walls. "As expected," he said. "But, not quite." Then, he lifted his arms. Selene gasped. It felt like her gifts were leaving her body. Roman smirked at her, "How does that feel, my dear?" Selene controlled her breathing more and focused on attacking him, but he was not yielding. "More! More! More!" he yelled.
"No!"
Then, she tried to control his body, and slam him on the floor. Roman went directly to the ground. Selene's body felt weak, but she saw Roman stand on his ground, again. "Perhaps I expect more," he said. "So long, Northerners!"
By that, Roman vanished. Like he does not even stay in the room. The people around them panics and run towards every place.
Selene felt weak, her legs felt wobbly. She collapses as soon as she is about to speak. Someone catches her, she can hear the voices, yet her eyes continue to close.
And, it was all pitch black.