NOVEL WEB Chapter 8: Chapter 8
As Selene glided toward them like a predator stalking its prey, Lucius leaned in with his usual calm demeanor. "Little dove, I must attend to my colleagues. I'll be back soon," he said, patting her hand reassuringly.
Claudia's eyes widened as the words sank in. "Wait—what?" she blurted out, but he was already stepping aside to greet an approaching noble, leaving her stranded.
She stared after him in panic, her thoughts racing. 'Oh no! Why now of all times? Do you not see the storm heading straight for me? Lucius, come back!'
Her gaze darted to Selene, whose elegant strides felt more like a dramatic countdown to doom. 'Traitor. Abandoner. Brother of the year, everyone!!!'
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'So, the lovesick dog dares to show her face again. Let's see if she still has that spine she miraculously grew the last time we spoke.'
Claudia blinked, her expression frozen for a moment. 'Wait… what? Last time? I don't remember this in the original novel!' She cautiously delved deeper into Selene's thoughts.
'You called me no different from you, Lady Claudia. Do you still believe that nonsense?'
Claudia's mind reeled. Memories surged back—memories that weren't her own. The original Claudia had talked back to Selene in a rare moment of boldness, and now Selene was here to settle the score.
Selene closed the distance between them with predatory grace, her gown trailing behind her like a violet storm. "Lady Claudia," she began, her voice honeyed but razor-sharp, "I must say, you look rather radiant tonight. Quite the change from the girl who used to scurry after Lord Emilio like a shadow."
Claudia felt a pang of irritation but masked it with a neutral expression. 'She really doesn't waste time, does she? And for the record, I don't like Emilio. But of course, I can't say that—it would ruin the surprise.'
"Thank you, Lady Selene," Claudia said, her tone measured. "You look stunning as well. Though I must admit, I'm surprised you came all this way just to say so."
Selene's lips twitched, her annoyance barely concealed. "I'm merely returning the kindness you once showed me," she replied, her voice dripping with condescension. "After all, I still recall your words. 'Lady Selene, you are no different from me.' A bold statement, wouldn't you agree?"
Claudia stilled but quickly recovered, forcing a polite smile. She tuned into Selene's mind again.
'Surely she won't repeat that nonsense. Let's see her squirm this time. A lovesick fool lecturing me about dignity!'
Selene leaned closer, her tone sharpening while her lips maintained a public-friendly smile. "But tell me, Lady Claudia, do you still believe we're alike? I certainly don't recall stooping so low as to pine for someone so publicly."
Claudia's fingers tightened on her fan as a flicker of heat rose to her cheeks. Her sharp reply was cut off by Lucius stepping back to her side, his protective gaze narrowing on Selene.
"Is everything all right, little dove?" he murmured, his voice low and calm, though his eyes burned with thinly veiled disapproval.
Before Claudia could answer, Selene let out a silken laugh. "Oh, how charming. You have such a loving brother, don't you, Lady Claudia? Always rushing to your aid."
Claudia's lips curved into a confident smile, one so dazzling that Selene faltered. "Of course, I do," Claudia replied smoothly. "And I'm grateful for it every day."
Selene's eyes narrowed, her mind racing. 'What? Claudia never smiles like that. Especially not after I insult her. What's going on?'
Selene scoffed, her sharp tone returning. "Well, it's good you're aware of your blessings, Lady Claudia. After all, you'll need all the support you can get, given your… circumstances. Or should I say, your one-sided affections?"
The words struck like a whip, but Claudia tilted her head, her smile unshaken. 'First of all, I don't like Emilio. Second of all, I was going to hold back because our fathers know each other, but this is officially too much.'
She straightened, locking her piercing gaze on Selene. "I will say this again, Lady Selene," Claudia said, her voice as cold as frost. "You are no different from me."
Selene stiffened, her composure cracking for the first time. "Excuse me?" she hissed, her voice low and dangerous.
"You heard me," Claudia continued with calm precision. "For all your superiority, you're just as bound by expectations and desires as anyone else. Perhaps even more so."
Lucius, observing the exchange, raised a brow but stayed silent, sensing Claudia's determination to handle the matter.
Selene's lips twitched into a strained smile, though her thoughts betrayed her. 'What is this newfound confidence? Who does she think she is?'
Before Selene could fire back, a heavy hand clamped down on her shoulder. She froze and turned her head, only to find Duke Valentin Albinoni, her father, staring down at her with a strained but unmistakably warning smile.
"Selene," he said, his voice low and smooth, though his grip tightened. "What exactly are you doing right now?"
Selene stammered, her words fumbling. "N-Nothing, Father."
Duke Antonius Barberini and Duchess Giuliana Barberini stepped forward, standing protectively near Claudia.
"Valentin," Duke Antonius began, his tone light but pointed, "remember, this is Claudia's day. Let's not overdo things, hmm?"
Valentin's strained smile softened, but his tone remained firm as he addressed his daughter. "Selene, control yourself. And apologize. Now."
Selene bit her lip, her head hanging low as her frustration visibly bubbled beneath the surface. "Yes, Father. I promise it won't happen again."
Claudia smiled graciously, inclining her head. "It's quite all right, Lord Valentin," she said smoothly. "Lady Selene and I were simply having a mild chat. My apologies for not greeting you sooner—greetings, Duke Valentin Albinoni."
Valentin's expression softened as he returned the greeting. "Indeed, Lady Claudia Barberini, congratulations on your debutante. It is a memorable occasion." Yet, when his gaze shifted back to Selene, the warmth vanished, replaced by a sharp, lingering warning.
Selene's fists clenched at her sides, her thoughts a storm of frustration. 'That snake! Mark my words, Claudia—this isn't over. Not by a long shot.'
"Presenting His Imperial Majesty Sol of the Empire, the Emperor Leonardi di Valtieri!"
The ballroom fell silent for a split second before the murmur of excited whispers spread like wildfire. The tall, regal figure of Emperor Leonardi entered, his platinum blonde hair gleaming under the grand chandeliers, and his greyish-blue eyes piercing the crowd. He was followed by the representatives of the White Crest Order, the holy Paladin Lord Cassian Valmont and the High Priestess Alessia.
Cassian, the ever-dashing hero, with his ash-blonde hair and emerald eyes, cut through the crowd with an air of purpose, as if the very ground beneath his boots was honored to bear his weight. Beside him, Alessia, the striking High Priestess with her fiery red hair and sun-kissed red eyes, made her entrance as if she were walking through a sunbeam. Every step she took seemed to illuminate the room with an ethereal glow.
"Ah, another set of the key players," Claudia thought with a wry smirk, her sharp eyes flicking over the newcomers. "The heroine Alessia, the first-nation hero Lord Cassian Valmont, and of course, the crown prince acting emperor because the original emperor is in a critical vegetative state."
Claudia glanced at Selene. Her expression soured. Well, she couldn't exactly blame her. Selene's fiancé was standing beside Alessia, exchanging pleasantries.
Claudia's smile grew a little more smug. 'Original Claudia's situation was quite similar to yours, Lady Selene,' she mused. 'But different... You both had one-sided love for your childhood friend. The difference is one is a scumbag while one is a hero.'
She let that thought linger a moment longer before turning her attention to the entrance again. 'By the way… where's the main person I wanted to see?' Her gaze darted across the room, lingering on the door, but no sign of him yet. 'Will he not be coming? I thought Father invited him along with the Emperor and the White Crest...'
Before she could finish her musings, a sudden, overwhelming surge of dark violet energy flooded the center of the ballroom, nearly knocking the breath out of her. The air thickened, a magical circle blooming to life, shimmering in dark tones. Gasps of fear echoed around the room as everyone instinctively took a step back. Lucius, ever the protector, moved in front of her, ready to draw his sword at a moment's notice.
Claudia's heart raced as she stared at the massive circle in shock. 'No way...' she thought, her mind scrambling to make sense of it.
The circle's glow intensified, and from it stepped a figure. A striking man with long, midnight-black hair and golden eyes that seemed to burn with an unnatural fire with dark circles under them. His black cloak, regal yet simple, flowed behind him like liquid night, the edges brushing the floor with a soft rustle.
Claudia's breath hitched in her throat, her lips parted in shock. 'It's... it's Lord Vanitas in the flesh!!!' she screamed silently in her mind, her heart pounding in her chest.