A Growing Rift
As the days passed, the quiet distance between Selena and Rina widened like a crack in stone. Selena, still nursing the sting of what felt like betrayal, kept to herself in the kitchen storeroom. She focused on her duties, but the warmth she once felt for Rina had cooled. Each night, she sent letters to Lucian, pouring out her confusion and hurt.
Lucian, reading her words by candlelight, felt the ache in his heart. He longed to tell her the truth—that Rina’s reassignment had been his doing, for Selena’s own protection. But he knew the risk was too great. So instead, he wrote back gently, his words meant to soothe her: “Sometimes things happen for a reason we can’t yet see. Trust me, my heart—this may be for your good. Stay strong, stay careful. I’m always with you in spirit.”
Selena clutched his letter close, comforted, yet still torn.
But in the shadows, the male spy watched. His eyes gleamed with malice as he noticed the cold glances, the lack of smiles between the two women. The crack was there—and he intended to shatter it.
With careful planning, he enlisted two greedy maids, women easily swayed by the promise of silver. They spread the poison with whispered gossip in the corridors, near enough for Selena to overhear.
“Did you hear?” one maid whispered to the other, loud enough to echo off the stone walls. “Rina caught Selena with one of the guards. I heard she begged Rina not to tell the Gamma... disgraceful.”
“Shameful,” the other agreed, eyes wide with fake horror. “No wonder Rina switched duties. She probably couldn’t bear the sight of her after that.”
Selena froze, her breath catching in her throat. Shock, fury, and heartbreak collided inside her. How could Rina say such things? After all they’d shared... after all I’ve done to stay loyal...
Her fists clenched at her sides, but she said nothing, swallowing the bitter taste of betrayal. Meanwhile, hidden in the shadows, the male spy smirked. His trap was working perfectly.
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A Rift Deepens
Selena could no longer take the whispers, the stares, the lies that seemed to spread like wildfire through the Gamma’s estate. Hurt and angry, she found Rina alone and confronted her.
“Why, Rina?” Selena’s voice trembled. “Why are you saying these things about me? I thought we were friends!”
Rina’s eyes widened in shock. “Selena, no! I never said any of that. I swear to you, those are lies. Someone is trying to cause trouble between us.”
But the pain in Selena’s heart was too strong. She shook her head, tears burning in her eyes. “I don’t believe you. You changed ever since they reassigned us. You betrayed me.”
Before Rina could say more, the head maid stormed into the room. Furious over the growing gossip, she reassigned Selena to the laundry room—viewed as the lowest post. Selena felt bitter, humiliated, and deeply sad.
Far away, Lucian felt it all through their mate bond. The wave of her pain hit him hard. Without delay, he wrote to Rina, asking what was happening.
Rina replied honestly about the situation—but in her jealousy, she added, “Selena is letting small matters cloud her judgment. She’s being childish. I’ll keep an eye on her.”
Lucian read her words carefully. Though annoyed by Rina’s attitude, he chose not to reveal Selena as his mate. Instead, he wrote back: “Stay focused on your mission. Let things calm down, and after a few days, try to explain to Selena again. Don’t lose sight of why you’re there.”
Then he sent a private letter to Selena—his words warm, filled with comfort:
“My brave one, I feel your pain and it breaks my heart. Please don’t let the lies of others dim your spirit. You are stronger than this. Hold on a little longer. I will find a way to bring you back to me safely.”
When Rina received Lucian’s instructions, she started to wonder deeply. Why does he care so much about Selena? Her heart, already aching from her secret love for Lucian, burned with curiosity. What is she to him?
Meanwhile, Lucian sat alone in his study, staring out into the night. His heart raced with worry. I can’t leave her there much longer. I must find a way to bring her out before they destroy her... before I lose her forever.