Chapter 19
By morning, the entire palace knew.
Servants whispered in corners.
Trainees avoided her.
Even the cleaners glanced at her with quiet judgment.
"She's the one…"
"The prince's choice…"
"What a disgrace…"
She walked through the halls slowly, her pale blue dress feeling heavier than ever.
Selene stayed close. "Don't listen to them. People love rumors."
"…Do they?" she asked softly.
Selene squeezed her hand. "You know the truth. That's enough."
But it wasn't.
Because the truth didn't matter anymore.
The rumors had already won.
—
Sky found her in the courtyard.
His expression was tense. "I'm going to fix this."
"You can't," she said quietly.
"I can. I'll find out who did it—"
"And then what?" she looked up at him. "Will that erase what everyone thinks?"
He fell silent.
"…I'm sorry," he muttered.
"For what?"
"For not stopping it sooner."
She shook her head weakly. "It's not your fault."
But even she didn't fully believe that.
—
The palace doors opened.
A royal guard stepped forward.
"The Queen requests your presence."
Everything went still.
Selene's grip tightened. "It'll be okay…"
But her voice lacked confidence.
—
The throne room was cold.
Massive.
Silent.
The Queen sat elegantly, her expression unreadable, the King beside her.
The seventh prince stood nearby.
Watching.
Always watching.
She stepped forward, bowing weakly.
"So," the Queen's voice echoed, calm but sharp. "You are the girl my son has chosen."
She swallowed. "Yes, Your Majesty."
The Queen picked up one of the letters.
"These… are troubling."
"They're fake," she said quickly. "I didn't—"
"Enough," the Queen cut in.
Silence fell.
"You expect me to believe that every rumor in this palace appeared overnight without reason?"
Her heart pounded.
"I don't know who did it, but I swear—"
The Queen's gaze hardened. "A prince does not choose lightly. Yet you… bring scandal."
She turned slightly toward her son. "Is this the woman you claim?"
The seventh prince remained still.
"…Yes."
The word was simple.
Cold.
Final.
But it didn't defend her.
It only confirmed her position.
The Queen sighed softly. "Then you will prove your worth."
Her breath caught.
"Until then," the Queen continued, "you remain under watch."
Judged.
Tested.
Watched.
She lowered her head.
"Yes… Your Majesty."
—
Outside, Selene rushed to her side again. "See? It's not over."
But her voice trembled.
And for the first time—
Doubt crept in.