Lattended the last Harvest Feast I would ever see in my homeland.
When I arrived, Selene was already crying to a crowd of noble ladies.
“After tonight, I’ll be sent off to a foreign land… How can Princess Lysandra st General Aveline to marry her.”
“Our sweet Selene has such noble spirit. I’ll miss you terribly after you’re gone.”
Beneath her sleeves, Selene’s sobs were laced with a smug little smile.
Until she spotted me. Her breath hitched.
I never liked banquets like this.
I usually skipped them altogether.
Clearly, she’d counted on that, staging her pity party in public.
I gave her a slow, knowing smile before taking my seat.
“What’s that supposed to mean? Is she looking down on Selene?”
by and let this happen? All she cares about is forcing
“If she’s so capable, why doesn’t she go herself? Just because her mother’s dead, she thinks the world owes her.”
I didn’t bother arguing.
In the last life, these women didn’t meet a good end after the city fell.
Let them talk. It was better than seeing their homes in ruins.
I left the banquet alone, heading toward the pond to clear my head. But Selene caught up to me.
“Lysandra.”
I turned. She stepped closer.
“I know you’re the one going in my place. But it your decision–I didn’t force you.‘
“It was supposed to be my burden. But you went ahead and claimed the glory. So what if I said a few words at the banquet?”
I raised my chin “Glory?”
You really think you could bring peace just by marrying into their clan?”
She froze
“Selene,
with
your c
cowardice? You wouldn’t last a year.”
“In the end, your death would’ve just made things worse.”
I scoffed, “I’m cleaning up your mess. Don’t act like you’re some ne
“You-!”
Her chest rose and fell with fury.
noble martyr.”
Then she saw something behind me. Her lips curled Into a cold smile.
Suddenly, she grabbed my throat and dragged me into the water with her.
“Ah! Lysandra! Why did you push me?!”
I couldn’t swim. I could barely breathe through the choking
And then–I saw him
“Garrick!”
I tried to call out, but he was already swimming hard–straight toward Selene.
“Garrick.cough!!
I reached for him, but he just pulled Selene–perfectly unharmed–out of the water.
It was only when Maude screamed that the guards finally jumped in to drag me out.
Selene was gasping dramatically. Garrick threw his cloak over her shoulders, then pushed past the crowd around me to stand in front of me
“Are you insane?! What good would killing her do? It’s not like you’d go marry the barbarian king in her place!!
“Cough.. Garrick, 1-”
“Enough!
His voice was full of venom. “I thought you were just a little spoiled, but you’re actually vicious and jealous to the core!”
“You lack Selene’s grace and sense of duty. You act like a vulgar tavern shrew!”
“You disgrace your title and shame your people. Thank the gods your lady mother died early–spared the sight of what you’ve become!”
“Garrick Aveline!”
My sword flashed out as 1 stood.
He drew his as well.
Just like before. In our last life, we’d drawn swords over Selene more times than I could count.
But we never actually hurt each other.
I tried to strike–but my legs gave out beneath me.
I collapsed into a strong pair of arms.
Garrick’s expression flickered with panic.
“Lysandra?”
I grabbed his collar, teeth clenched.
“You have no right to speak of my mother.”
I felt myself being lifted up.
Selene’s voice followed, delicate and trembling
“General Aveline, ”
But Garrick didn’t stop. He left her behind and carried me away from the banquet without another word.
