Meanwhile…
Back at the castle, Before Aether's dangerous situation, tension filled the air as Selene and her father, Velc, engaged in a heated argument within her private chambers.
"What is wrong with you, Selene? Are you out of your mind?" Velc's voice was strained with frustration as he paced back and forth, glancing at her with a mix of disbelief and exasperation, "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! You could be the Empress! Any woman would kill for that chance, yet you act as though it's beneath you!"
Selene leaned back in her chair, folding her arms with a cool, unimpressed expression, "But, Father," she replied calmly, shrugging, "I'm not just any woman. I've told you, I'm not interested in marrying some 'lizard' or whatever he is." Her eyes narrowed. "If you're so fascinated, maybe you can go lick his boots—"
Slap!