Chapter 10: New beginning

As I slowly closed the door behind me, I was met with the disapproving stares of my three sisters. Cassia, Isadora, and Ophelia stood there, their expressions a mix of curiosity and judgment. I sighed internally, already dreading the conversation that was about to unfold.

"Cassia, Isadora, Ophelia," I greeted them with a forced politeness before heading into the connecting bathroom. Cassia, ever the persistent one, followed me inside.

With practiced ease, I removed my corset, cursing the old-fashioned attire that my family insisted I wear. Cassia wasted no time in getting to the point.

"Where were you, Selena?" she asked, her tone accusatory.

"Around," I replied curtly, checking the water temperature in the shower.

"Isadora saw you embracing a man last night. Apparently, you left arm in arm with him," Cassia continued, her tone growing more pointed.

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. "What about it?" I asked, stepping into the shower to escape her interrogation.

Cassia launched into a lecture about noble etiquette and the expectations placed upon us. I let her words wash over me, my mind drifting back to the night I spent with Nathan.

When I emerged from the shower, Cassia was still talking, oblivious to my lack of interest. I interrupted her mid-sentence.

"Cassia," I said firmly, meeting her gaze. "I'm heading to the academy tomorrow, and I genuinely don't care about what you, Mother, or Father think. I have a contracted beast now, and House of Shadows won't take kindly to any suspicious behavior from you. Focus your energy on Ophelia and Isadora, because as for me, I'm out of your hands now."

With that, I finished dressing and felt a familiar weight on my arm. My little white snake had crawled up from my pocket and nestled into my bosom. It was as if she could sense my frustration.

I left the room with a decisive slam of the door behind me. If I spent any longer in their company, I feared I might lose my temper with Cassia.

I made my way towards the hill outside the castle, feeling a bit amused at the emotional goodbye we had earlier, now that I was returning so soon. It seemed a bit pointless, but then again, emotions tended to be like that.

There, I found Nathaniel engrossed in some spear training with a man named Gregory, who I was surprised to learn was only 15. He seemed much older like 30... with his size and all. Nathaniel tried to get me to join them, but I declined, not in the mood to get sweaty.

After their training session, Nathaniel came to sit next to me, leaning against my shoulder. I noticed Greg's subtle reaction from the corner of my eye and couldn't help but suppress a smile.

"Have I ever told you that you're the most beautiful woman in the universe?" Nathaniel said, his voice soft as he gazed at me.

I chuckled softly. "I don't know, I've only ever heard you say I'm the most beautiful woman you've ever seen."

Nathaniel grinned. "My worldview was limited back then. Now I can confidently say you're the most beautiful woman in existence."

I raised an eyebrow playfully. "But you've never left this little hill, so how can you be so sure I'm the most beautiful?"

He leaned in closer, his voice low and earnest. "Ssshhhhh... I say you're the most beautiful, hence it's a fact. No one else's opinion matters."

I couldn't help but laugh at his self-righteousness, such a dork.

"Selene," he says, catching my attention. I look at him, curious about his sudden change in tone.

"I'm trying to get used to the name rolling off my tongue," he explains, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Selene, Selene, Selene, Selene Shadowcrest," he says, testing it out playfully.

"Shadowcrest?" I repeat, the name feeling foreign yet strangely fitting.

"It's your name, isn't it?" he responds, taking my arm gently.

"Why can't you be Nathaniel Vitalis, huh?" I tease, pretending to be offended.

He looks at me with mock disbelief, and I pretend to try and get up in fake outrage.

But he pulls me back into his arms, holding me close. "Fine, fine, I could be Vitalis. But I thought you disliked that name. It doesn't matter to me as long as I get to grow old with you again, and this time hopefully until our teeth fall out," he says, his voice filled with sincerity and a hint of humor.

He leans in closer, his gaze shifting to my lips, and I can feel the anticipation building between us... until a cough suddenly interrupts the moment.

Nathaniel's expression changes instantly, a mix of irritation and anger crossing his features. I can't help but stifle a laugh.

"What is it?" he asks, his tone laced with annoyance.

"Pfft," I manage to say, trying to hide my laughter. 

In the afternoon of the following day, a group of teenagers stood before a shimmering teleportation circle, the excitement palpable in the air. Nathaniel and I observed the scene with a sense of detachment, while Greg lingered a few steps behind us, his eyes betraying a tired, almost haunted look. As direct descendants of duke houses, we were granted 10 recommendation tokens each for the esteemed Tavill Academy. Nathaniel had used one on Greg, and I watched as Dalton, surrounded by four adoring teenagers, likely used his as well.

The current patriarch's right-hand man and bodyguard, a commoner, had also been given a token, highlighting the significance and benefits of these passes. I observed intently as the first batch of 30 teenagers entered the circle and vanished into thin air. Teleportation circles were limited to 30 individuals to prevent potential ambushes, unless special permission was granted.

After two more groups had disappeared, it was finally our turn. The light shimmered and then, in an instant, we found ourselves standing in a grand and beautiful courtyard. While not as vast as I had imagined, it was certainly impressive. We had arrived at the House of Shadows headquarters in the capital city of the kingdom of Arkaria, Valonial.

Turning to Nathaniel, I couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude. This moment marked the start of our journey together in this new world.