Bab 13: Alex

Clara sat on a nearby sofa, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. Her face was pale, and her eyes glistened with unshed tears. "Perhaps we should have been more discreet," she said hesitantly.

Nicholas whipped around to face her, his eyes blazing. "Discreet? Why should we have to hide our love? She's the one at fault for clinging to an engagement that should have ended long ago!"

"But it hasn't ended," Clara said softly. "And now the entire capital sees me as the villain."

Her words seemed to strike a chord, and Nicholas's expression faltered. He ran a hand through his hair, frustration radiating off him in waves. "I'll speak to the King," he said finally.

"This engagement will be annulled by the end of the week. And Selena..." His jaw tightened. "She'll regret making an enemy of me."

The sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of gold and crimson. Selena, cloaked in her hood, walked through the crowded streets, her steps deliberate but unsteady.

Tonight wasn't for politics or pleasantries. Tonight wasn't for Selena, the noble lady, or Selena, the villainess everyone whispered about.

Tonight was for Ming Yue.

She had always been a goody two-shoes, she wanted to do something the old her would never do...

Her fingers brushed against the wooden door of the tavern. The worn brass handle felt cool under her touch as she pushed it open, stepping into the dimly lit interior.

The scent of ale, smoke, and roasted meat greeted her, mingling with the low hum of laughter and conversation.

For a moment, Selena hesitated. The place was a far cry from the lavish balls and pristine halls she was accustomed to. Here, the patrons were rugged, their clothes patched and worn.

And ordinary place, for ordinary people. Today would be her last day as Ming Yue... She will bid farewell to her, a woman who led an ordinary life.

As the night wore on, the tavern blurred around her. Her memories, however, grew sharper.

Ming Yue's life flashed before her eyes: a plain girl with ordinary dreams, chained by expectations.

She had been the dutiful student, the accommodating friend, the quiet girl who smiled through everything. She had lived, loved, and died without ever truly existing for herself.

And then there was Selena.

Selena's memories crashed into her like waves, overwhelming and relentless. The heartbreak of betrayal, the humiliation of a broken engagement, and the bitter loneliness that clung to her like a shadow.

Selena's pain wasn't hers, but tonight it felt like it was.

A single tear slipped down her cheek. Selena's body remembered the hurt, even if Ming Yue's mind rebelled against it.

"No," she whispered, gripping the edge of the counter. "Not anymore."

She wasn't going to mourn Nicholas or the life he stole from Selena. He wasn't worth it.

"Mind if I sit here?"

The voice was deep and smooth, cutting through her spiralling thoughts. Selena blinked and turned to find a man standing beside her.

He was tall—unreasonably tall—with tanned skin that spoke of long days under the sun. His wavy black hair framed a face that was almost annoyingly symmetrical, with sharp cheekbones and a jawline that could cut glass. But it was his eyes that held her attention.

Green. The kind of green that reminded her of summer forests and emerald jewels.

Selena stared at him, her drink forgotten.

"Are you alright?" he asked, his brows furrowing.

"You…" Selena hiccupped, leaning closer. "You're hot."

The man blinked, clearly taken aback. "Excuse me?"

She had always been a shy person, hell she never even kissed her cheating ex-boyfriend! She lived her life without actually living it! Well no more! She was going to be direct, she will take what she wanted!

"You heard me," Selena said, her voice a mix of slurred defiance and genuine admiration. Her hood slipped back as she reached out, her fingers brushing against his face. "Why are you so good-looking? It's not fair."

Around them, a few patrons began to chuckle. They started to make rude remarks about him getting some action.

The man hated their attitude. In an effort to protect the lady, he moved to cover her from the others.

The bartender smirked but said nothing, refilling another mug for a nearby customer.

The man caught her wrist gently, his grip firm but not unkind. "You've had too much to drink."

"What's your name?" Her face was inching closer and her restless hands kept rubbing his face!

"Are you here alone? That can't be right." He whispered. She was clearly a noble lady. She wouldn't be here without an escort. Just where were they?! Their lady was becoming unhinged!

"And you're avoiding my question," Selena shot back, her bright blue eyes narrowing.

He sighed, clearly debating whether to engage with her further or walk away. Finally, he said, "I'm Alex."

"Alex…" Selena repeated, testing the name on her tongue. "Be my boyfriend."

"What?"

"Boyfriend," Selena repeated as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. She slumped forward, her head resting against his chest.

Alex froze, unsure of how to respond. This woman—this drunk, silver-haired stranger—had managed to fluster him in a way few ever did.

As Selena leaned against him, Alex caught sight of her face. His eyes widened in recognition.

"You're…" He hesitated, lowering his voice. "You're Selena, aren't you? The Duke's fiancée."

Selena groaned, her head pounding. "Not anymore," she muttered. "He can rot for all I care."

Alex's brows furrowed. The infamous villainess of the kingdom, a woman known for her fiery temper and sharp tongue, was slurring insults about the Duke in a seedy tavern. It was almost surreal.

But there was something about her—something raw and unguarded—that intrigued him.

"Why are you here?" he asked softly.

"To drink," Selena replied, her voice muffled against his chest. "To celebrate. To forget."

"Forget what?"

"Everything."