Three days ago

Selena's POV

Selena stood there for a long moment after her talk with Nancy, the sting on her cheek still pulsing faintly, warm and humiliating.. The slap honestly hadn't hurt as much as the sharpness behind it did Nancy's words were very hurtful to her not to say how piercing on the spot not to say how truthful they were ...She had spat contempt and humiliation. Well whatever Selene got the point that she didn't want her to walk straight into the lion's den just same as what celestia had tried to do.

But again in the end… nothing worked.

Nancy never understood. Nor does celestia they could never understand what it truly felt like. Selena's fingers brushed lightly over her cheek, the swollen skin throbbing beneath her touch even though her holy body had already completely healed but she could still feel that Sting of pain.. kinda weird for her. Her lips curved into a bitter, quiet exhale.

"She doesn't know how it feels…" she whispered to herself, her voice low and fragile, yet carrying a stubborn undertone. "If she had… she would've understood. How it feels…"

Those words weren't for the world, not for Nancy or for celestia, not even for the mansion she was facing. They were for herself. A solidification of resolve. A reminder that she had chosen this path from the very beginning long before Nancy discovered even a sliver of the truth.

She drew in a slow, long breath, letting the cold evening air fill her lungs and steady the trembling inside her chest.

Then she lifted her eyes.

The Virelan Mansion towered over her, massive and elegantly decorated, its walls crafted with a kind of nobility that almost weighed on the air itself. Intricate designs curled across the white stone like living vines; polished glass reflected the faint glow of lanterns hanging from delicate chains; every corner of the building radiated silent prestige. Even its stillness felt authoritative as though the mansion looked down at the world in quiet judgment.

Selena exhaled softly. "No turning back," she murmured.

Without another moment's hesitation, she stepped forward and entered.

No guards stopped her. No voices challenged her. Not a single servant stepped out to question her presence. But Selena knew better than to assume she walked freely. Virelans might not place men in armor at their doors, but their eyes were everywhere hidden, silent, watching from shadows or vantage points no normal person could ever detect.

But Selena was not a normal person.

She had been born with a sensitivity to mana and life force so sharp it sometimes felt like a curse. Right now, it let her feel every breath, every shift of intent from the hidden guards who followed her movement. None moved to interfere. They knew who she was Saintess of the Luminus Family, heiress of a line no Virelan guard would dare obstruct anyways. And even if they did, Selena had walked these halls too many times to be mistaken for a stranger.

She crossed through the entrance as if it were nothing more than a familiar doorway at home.

She didn't bother asking for directions. She didn't need to. Nova's aura pulsed through the air like a flame reckless, untamed, impossible to miss. It tugged at Selena's senses, guiding her down a staircase that led deeper and deeper into the mansion. The floors grew colder. The stone beneath her shoes shifted from polished marble to solid, reinforced tile meant to handle far harsher conditions.

The clashing of metal reached her before she reached the door. Sharp, echoing strikes steel hitting steel, followed by a loud thud as something heavy slammed into a wall.

Selena paused only long enough to steady her breath.

Then she opened the door.

The moment she stepped inside, something flew toward her.

A person.

The impact shook the doorframe. The girl crashed into the wall beside Selena with a crack that sent dust falling from almost everywhere. Selena raised her arm as a gust of wind from the blow swept across her face sharp, strong, carrying enough force to bruise had she not shielded herself.

Arghhh! Nova groaned as she pushed herself out of the cracked wall she had just been slammed into, small chunks of stone falling off her shoulders. She winced, brushing dust from her hair, glaring daggers at the woman standing across from her.

"You're supposed to train me, not fucking beat me!" she snapped, voice echoing through the room.

Marcella stood perfectly still, hands folded neatly behind her back, not a strand of her deep purple uniform out of place. She didn't even look tired. She didn't even look fazed. Her posture was so rigid she resembled a strict instructor carved straight out of stone cold, composed, mercilessly disciplined.

"Matriarch ordered me to put manners in you, my lady," Marcella replied in an emotionless tone, her expression blank as if carved on a mask. "Trust me, it hurts me very much to have to do this.. Its pains me as much as it pains you if not more."

Her voice held no trace of hurt. None. If anything, she sounded like she was simply stating a chore.

Nova's eyes twitched in disbelief before she let out a humorless, furious laugh.

"Bullshit," she spat. "I know you're enjoying this way too damn much."

Her grip tightened around her sword as she pointed it toward Marcella's face, her stance bristling with irritation. "And what the hell is wrong with my manners, huh?!"

Nova didn't need to guess. She knew Marcella's heart was black as pitch on the inside strictness was just the excuse she wore like a badge. Ever since Nova's mother had left, Marcella had been beating her in the name of "training," hiding her satisfaction behind that blank, obedient face.

If Marcella hadn't kept blocking her every attempt to leave the mansion, Nova would have already been out there hunting her brother down and beating the hell out of that "little shit," as she so lovingly referred to him.

But no Marcella always stood in the way, arms folded, that cold stare saying don't even try it.

"I am just following orders, young lady."

Marcella adjusted her square glasses with a calm, practiced touch, eyes sharp behind the lenses. "You truly do need to have some manners pushed into you. Unfortunately, you cannot seem to learn them normally, so I must employ… special methods. Personally authorized by the Matriarch."

She looked Nova up and down in a slow, judging sweep and added blandly, "And frankly, with how you are now, I fear you will never find a husband."

Her tone was neutral, but it was the kind of neutrality that insulted even worse than open mockery.

Nova's jaw tightened. A vein ticked near her temple.

"You believe that?" she shot back with a scoff. "If I ever said I was looking for a partner, there would be a line stretching from this continent's corner all the way to the Virelan mansion door.. And that too tomorrow morning if announced now."

Her voice was sharp, cutting, venom-tinged. "I just happen to have far more important things to focus on."

Marcella did not even flinch. She simply examined Nova again slowly, deliberately and then shook her head as if the conversation was beneath her.

"Sure," she said flatly. Nothing more.

Nova's irritation flared hotter, eyes narrowing.

"Look who's talking," she said. "Someone who has never had anyone fall in love with her in the first place." Her voice turned perfectly, brutally casual, as if she was commenting on the weather. "Are you sure you're not into my mother? Because all I've seen for decades is you glued to her side without a single complaint.. Not finding anyone for urself not letting her find one either.."

A muscle ticked on Marcella's otherwise expressionless face.

"Do not disrespect the Matriarch," Marcella said, voice dropping into frost. Her fingers twitched.. she clearly wanted to beat Nova again but she forced herself still.

After a long breath, she muttered, "…Leave it. Go on. You may rest now. It seems the Saintess has finally come to meet you."

She shifted her gaze toward Selena, who had been standing quietly near the entrance, watching the entire exchange with a mixture of tension and awkward second-hand discomfort. Selena politely returned Marcella's small gesture of acknowledgment with a respectful nod.

Nova didn't bother replying to Marcella. She dismissed her entirely.

Selena, however, couldn't stop herself from staring. Nova's face was a mess swollen cheek, bruised jaw, a purple blotch around one eye.

Seems like Lady Marcella aimed for her face specifically… Selena thought, lips pressing together in a silent, disapproving line.

Marcella turned and ignored both of them completely.

Selena exhaled softly and stepped closer. She lifted her hand, stopping it just a few inches from Nova's battered face. Warm, gentle light pure, soft, holy poured from her fingertips.

Golden radiance washed over Nova's skin.

Bruises shrank. Swelling faded. Cuts closed.

Nova's face returned to its usual sharp, rebellious beauty within seconds.

Nova didn't even react to the magic working on her she simply watched Selena's face instead, sensing something heavy behind her eyes.

"What happened?" Nova asked finally, tone gentler than before, though still rough around the edges. "You look… down."

She flicked her newly-healed eyebrow upward. "And you finally came to meet me? After so many days? You used to come every second day, practically clinging to me like a lonely cat."

Selena withdrew her hand slowly. Nova was healed, but her expression remained clouded muted, distant, wrapped up in thoughts Nova couldn't yet decipher.

"Well…" Selena murmured, "I was just busy these days. With myself. With… everything. You know how it is."

Holy magic's glow faded entirely from her palm. Nova tilted her head, suspicious. "Is it because of Razeal?"

Selena's just smiled.. ever so slightly, which was all the confirmation Nova needed.

"I've only seen you alone these past days," Nova continued. "You even ordered Nyla to leave you alone for a while huh?.. Your ever so annoyingly clingy holy assistant..? I almost she died if not for sending some people to confirm she's alive.." She said casually..

Nova rolled her eyes dramatically. "Well.. You look exhausted. Don't be hard on yourself.. I told you before too."

She clicked her tongue, folding her arms. "Sigh. This is all because of that bastard, isn't it?"

Selena opened her mouth closed it again.

Nova continued, voice dripping with annoyance but hiding something soft beneath it:

"He showed up out of nowhere, stirred everything up, and then disappeared again like the dramatic little storm he is. Leaving us behind to worry." She jabbed a thumb at Selena's chest and then at herself. "Especially you and me."

Selena swallowed, looking down.

Nova let out a frustrated breath and shook her head. "Don't stress about it, idiot. He's just an Idiotttttttt who can't see the people who actually worry about him."

There was affection in her mockery rare and precious. Her tone softened almost imperceptibly. Maybe trying to make Selena feel little better.

Selena just looked at Nova's face, staring for several seconds as if gathering the courage to speak. Her lips trembled faintly before she finally exhaled a slow breath and opened her mouth.

"You didn't… go to look for Razeal?" she asked quietly. "I thought you would…"

Nova blinked at her, then narrowed her eyes slightly. "What? You think I've given up on him?"

Her tone wasn't angry it was confused, affronted, almost offended Selena would even consider that possibility.

Selena didn't answer. She only looked at Nova with heavy, searching eyes, waiting.

Nova scoffed loudly. "Like I ever would."

She tossed her hair back in irritation. "I was literally going to the sea to look for him. Already standing at edge of empire anyways.. Just one step away from ocean. Do you know why I didn't go?"

Selena tilted her head slightly.. as she really doesn't know.

Nova's voice pitched up with frustration. "Mother stopped me."

She jabbed a finger toward the ground, pacing in small circles like someone ranting in pure rage.

"And do you know what that bastard did?" Nova continued, voice rising as she got worked up again. "He wrote me a letter. A freaking letter. Saying something like." she mimicked Razeal's tone dramatically, "'I have given up my bloodline now, so there's no need to come looking for me.'"

She threw both arms up. "Like.. can you even imagine?? Just how dumb and idiot he is?? Does he seriously think we were looking for him because of his bloodline?! Bruhhhhhhhh! What the hell does that even mean!?"

Nova looked genuinely betrayed, exasperated, and personally insulted all at once.

"I wanted to crack his legs for that," she muttered darkly. "And, and listen to this. He said he'll kill me if I came looking for him. Kill me??? ME? His elder sister??!"

Her hands curled into fists then she made grabbing motions in the air as if she was squeezing Razeal's neck.

"I swear I want to beat the shit out of that bastard so, so, soooo badly! If.. IF not for mother she stopped me! Blocked my way! If it weren't for her, why the hell do you think I'm here? You think I wouldn't run after him and drag him back by his legs?! He's just… ughhhh!"

She ground her teeth so hard her jaw twitched. The irritation on her face was almost comically fierce yet overflowing with care disguised under layers of curses.

Selena listened through the entire rant, and a soft, relieved breath left her chest. She had been so terrified that Nova might have given up on Razeal. If she had… Selena didn't know what she would've done with that grief. But hearing Nova talk angry, frustrated, fiery Selena's shoulders relaxed ever so slightly.

A small smile bloomed on Selena's face without her noticing.

"You were stopped by Lady Merisa…?" Selena asked softly. "Then… is there any chance that she went herself to bring Razeal back?"

Selena had already heard this from Celestia but refused to mention about this to nova just wanting to know the real reason.. as.. farr as she knows nova she cant be stripped by anyone even her own mother unless she had given up on him.. Its very unlikely so that was why she asked.. And not to say the mere thought of Celestia made Selena's stomach boil up with anger she didn't even wanna to remember her face.

Nova scratched her head, clicking her tongue.

"Yeah, she went."

She pouted like a child denied candy. "I wasn't accepting her orders. I was going. If not for her" Nova made punching gestures "starting to fight me directly."

Selena froze. Then:

"You fought with Lady Merisa? As in… combat?"

Shock spread across her features. She knew Lady Merisa's strength. If Nova fought her

"Are you alright?" Selena asked, genuine concern flooding her voice.

Nova instantly lifted her chin, pride swelling like a balloon. "Of course! What would happen to me? I'm not so easy to defeat even if she's my mother."

She crossed her arms smugly. "She only won because she's old and had more time to train. Still, it was a hot fight. Just give me two more years and I'll.."

She stopped, clearing her throat, because she could not reveal the humiliating truth: she hadn't even seen when she was knocked out. She only remembered waking up being carried like a sack of potatoes.

Far behind them, Marcella who had been silently listening from standing in corner rolled her eyes so hard it was almost audible. She remembered Nova's unconscious face hanging limp over the Matriarch's shoulder, tongue out, eyes rolled back.

"So boastful… does she not feel embarrassed?" Marcella sighed internally genuinely speachless.

Then:

"Sister Nova…" Selena said suddenly.

Her voice was hesitant fragile but carried a deep, unwavering resolve that Nova recognized instantly.

Nova turned to her sharply. "…What happened?"

Because Selena's eyes… had shifted. Softer. Heavy. Burdened. And her hands were trembling.

"What is it?" Nova asked again, brows knitting together.

Selena took a long, painful breath one that seemed to scrape her lungs on the way out.

She couldn't hide anymore. She had made up her mind. No matter the consequences, no matter what happened after… she needed to say it.

Her fingers curled, knuckles pale.

Then, finally

"I…" Selena whispered.

Her voice cracked. She swallowed hard, looking directly into Nova's eyes.

"I lied about Razeal trying to rape me."

The words dropped like a stone into the world, heavy and absolute.

Selena's breath shook as she continued, her chest rising and falling with trembling intensity.

"He never tried. He never touched me. He's innocent."

She exhaled harshly, eyes burning not with tears, but with the exhaustion of someone carrying a sin too long.

"I was the one who lied," she repeated, almost in a whisper. "I lied…."

Her shoulders slumped as if a weight she had carried for years had finally slipped off but only because she could no longer hold it up.

Her voice, once steady and saint-like, quivered like something breaking.

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