Chapter 26 " I'll go meet with the palace people . " Selena pressed the box into her brother's hand . " Please do me the favor of going to the Obsidian Monarch's estate yourself . Just tell them ... that I'm an ill - fated woman who was cast off , and am not worthy of him . " " You're not the one who was cast off . You're the one who doesn't want Prince Frederick ! " Sebastian protested . How could he accept his sister calling herself ill - fated ? Even hearing it out loud made his heart ache . " That is the only excuse I can think of . Time is running out , Seb . Hurry , " Selena replied , giving him a gentle push . Knowing how urgent the situation was , Sebastian had no choice but to follow her plan for now . He carefully tucked the box away and left immediately . After he left , Selena hurried to the front courtyard . To her surprise , it was Ruth's maid , Anna , who had come . So , it wasn't an agent of the king . Selena let out a relieved breath and walked over with measured steps . " Ms. Lester , what a rare honor to have you visit my home today . " Anna smiled warmly . " Lady Campbell , Lady Ruth has recently come into some exquisite tea and wishes to invite you to the palace to share it . See , she has even prepared a carriage for you . That shows how much she misses your company . " Without giving Selena any chance to refuse , Anna added , " Lady Ruth has been waiting for some time . After you , Lady Campbell . " At Harmony Palace , a thin wisp of smoke curled gently from a scented burner . Ruth held a delicate white porcelain cup in her hand as she said , " Lena , you've been in the capital for some time now , and yet you haven't come to visit me . Have you forgotten me already ? " Selena inclined her head politely . " I wouldn't dare , my lady . It's just that my grandfather's health has taken a turn for the worse recently , so I've been busy caring for him . That's why I haven't been able to come to the palace to visit you . Please forgive me , my lady . " " Oh , the duke is unwell again ? " Ruth's expression softened with concern , though she quickly changed the topic . " I thought you were tending to General Campbell . After all , with the state he's in , it's doubtful he will ever fully recover . " Selena's eyes darkened slightly . Ruth pretended not to notice and continued to offer words of comfort . " I truly fear your brother might not withstand such hardship . Lena , you must comfort him well . Rest assured , even if the Duke of Blackmoor's line should end , as long as Fred and I live , neither you nor your brother will suffer any wrongs . " Selena lowered her gaze , hiding the emotions flickering beneath her calm exterior . " Thank you for your kindness , my lady . But my engagement to Prince Frederick has been broken off . To avoid misunderstandings and gossip , my brother and I will handle our household affairs ourselves . There is no need for you or the prince to concern yourselves further , " she replied coolly . " What are you saying , Lena ? " Ruth's smile grew even kinder . " You and Fred are so close by now . Everyone in the army knows you spent every night together during the campaign . At this point , how could you simply call off the engagement ? " " Please choose your words carefully , my lady ! " Selena's expression flickered with a flash of anger before quickly fading . " Though I was once betrothed to Prince Frederick , I have always conducted myself with the utmost caution and propriety . I have never once overstepped my bounds . Please see the truth clearly and don't misjudge me . " Ruth lifted her cup , the bright red coral along the rim catching the light as she traced it slowly with her finger . " Is that so ? " 1/2 Chapter 25 +25 BONUS She smiled . " Stories like these spread quickly through the army . I'm sure every maid and chamberlain in the palace is aware of them . In fact , I dare say half the city already knows . If you doubt it , step outside and listen to what people are saying . You need not go far . Even a stroll through the palace halls will make it clear enough . " Heat rose to Selena's cheeks , though it was anger , not embarrassment . " My years with Prince Frederick have been nothing but proper and honorable . I wonder which spiteful woman has such time on her hands to spread these vile rumors and try to ruin my reputation ! " she snapped . Ruth's face darkened , her temper barely held in check . Anna quietly tugged at Ruth's sleeve , then glanced at Selena with a smile . " Lady Campbell , it's not that we palace folks like to meddle . It's just that the stories about you and Prince Frederick in his tent ... Well , they've been told with quite some flair . " Oh dear , it's truly shameful . Everyone's talking about it . No matter how much we'd rather not hear it , we simply can't avoid it 21 " They even said they could hear your cries from far away . You see , the rumors have spread this far . If you insist on breaking " off the engagement with Prince Frederick , then how do you plan to face the world afterward ? "