Chapter 57 Ophelia

Chapter 57 Ophelia
“Thank you,” Selene said softly, bowing her head slightly as courtesy. She lifted the edge of her dress just enough to be polite, careful not to draw attention to the stain still marking the silver fabric. “But what was impressive about that?”

Her voice was calm.

The woman standing behind her let out a quiet chuckle.

“I’ve never seen Lyria so embarrassed before,” the woman replied, lifting her glass of champagne with graceful fingers. “She even walked out of the ballroom. That alone is a rare sight.”

Selene turned slowly.

The woman before her stood a little apart from the crowd, as if the space around her naturally bent away. People didn’t bump into her. They didn’t step too close. It was like the air itself respected her, making room without anyone needing to speak.

Her hair was long and golden-blond, tied back loosely, but strands escaped and caught the chandelier light like threads of sunlight. Her eyes—bright blue and sharped—looked like they could slice through lies without effort. They weren’t cruel, but they were not soft either. They had the calm of someone who had seen many things and was rarely surprised.

Her dress was elegant, dark with gold patterns woven across it, detailed and refined. It wasn’t flashy, but it was expensive in a quiet way. Every movement she made was controlled, practiced, graceful. She is the embodiment of someone used to being watched and obeyed without question.

She looked… untouchable.

Powerful.

Selene straightened slightly without realizing it, as if her body recognized rank before her mind did.

“I didn’t mean to embarrass her,” Selene said honestly.

The woman smiled faintly. “Of course you didn’t. That’s what made it impressive.”

Selene frowned a little. “I don’t understand.”

The woman tilted her head, studying Selene more closely now. “You didn’t raise your voice. You didn’t accuse her. You didn’t defend yourself aggressively. And yet…” She paused, eyes glinting with amusement. “She left angry and exposed, while you remained untouched.”

Selene swallowed.

“I just didn’t want to cause trouble,” Selene replied quietly. “Especially not here.”

The woman hummed softly, clearly pleased by the answer.

“That restraint,” she said, “is rare.”

She took another sip of her champagne, eyes never leaving Selene.

Selene hesitated before speaking again. “May I ask… who you are?”

The woman’s lips curved upward slightly.

Before she could answer, she added casually, “I also did not expect my little brother to go head over heels for a girl.”

Selene froze.

Her breath caught.

Her heart skipped so hard it almost hurt.

“…Your little brother?” Selene repeated slowly.

The woman laughed. It was a soft laugh, almost fond.

“Yes,” she said. “That one.”

Selene stared at her.

Her eyes widened.

Her mouth parted slightly in shock.

“You mean—” Selene stopped herself, her voice barely above a whisper. “Ryzen?”

The woman nodded once, clearly enjoying the reaction.

Selene’s face went completely blank for a second as her mind scrambled to catch up.

This woman.

This presence.

This calm authority.

“…You’re his—”

“Sister,” the woman finished. “His oldest sister.”

She set her glass aside on a nearby table and turned fully toward Selene.

“Ophelia Brixx Montclair,” she said. “At your service.”

Selene immediately bowed, deeper this time. “I apologize. I didn’t know—”

Ophelia raised a hand lightly. “Relax. I don’t like formalities.”

Selene straightened slowly, still stunned.

“I… I didn’t know he had a sister,” Selene admitted.

Ophelia arched an eyebrow. “That’s because he rarely talks about family.”

Selene hesitated. “You don’t seem… surprised by him bringing me here.”

“I’m not,” Ophelia replied. “I’ve been watching since the moment he returned from the river patrol.”

Selene’s chest tightened. “Watching… me?”

Ophelia nodded. “Of course.”

Selene wasn’t sure how to feel about that.

Ophelia stepped a little closer—not threatening, but close enough for Selene to feel her presence.

“You survived something that should’ve killed you,” Ophelia said calmly. “You stayed quiet when provoked. You protected his image even when he wasn’t there.” Her blue eyes softened just a fraction. “That alone tells me enough.”

Selene lowered her gaze. “I didn’t want to ruin his night.”

Ophelia’s lips curved slightly. “You care for him.”

Selene didn’t deny it.

“I respect him,” Selene said instead.

“That’s better,” Ophelia replied. “Respect lasts longer.”

Selene gathered her courage. “Are you… upset?”

Ophelia studied her carefully. “If I were, you’d already know.”

Selene nodded slowly.

Ophelia crossed her arms loosely. “Ryzen has always been… difficult.”

Selene let out a small smile. “That’s one way to put it.”

Ophelia smirked. “He hates events like this. Hates attention. Hates expectations.”

Selene glanced around the ballroom. “Yet here he is.”

“Because of you,” Ophelia said plainly.

Selene’s cheeks warmed. “I don’t think—”

“You don’t need to think,” Ophelia interrupted. “I see it.”

Selene looked at her again, unsure what to say.

Ophelia’s gaze shifted briefly to Selene’s stained dress.

“That girl,” Ophelia said coolly. “Lyria Avenhart. She will not bother you again.”

Selene blinked. “You don’t have to—”

“I know,” Ophelia said. “But I will.”

Selene hesitated. “Why?”

Ophelia met her eyes. “Because you handled yourself with dignity. And because…” She paused, then added quietly, “Ryzen does not choose lightly.”

Before Selene could respond. A familiar presence rushed toward them.

Heavy steps. Fast and urgent.

It was Ryzen.

He appeared from the crowd, his expression tight with worry the moment he saw Selene’s dress.

“What happened?” he asked sharply, eyes immediately dropping to the stain.

Selene opened her mouth, but he was already moving.

Without hesitation, Ryzen pulled off his suit jacket and draped it carefully over Selene’s shoulders, covering the stain completely. His hands shook just a little as he adjusted it around her, as if the world had narrowed down to only her.

“You’re shaking,” he said quietly.

Selene blinked. “I’m fine.”

“You’re not,” he replied.

Ophelia watched them with open amusement.

“You’re too protective,” Ophelia said calmly. “However—”

She tilted her head slightly, eyes sharp.

“You were not near her when she was in danger.”

Ryzen stiffened.

His jaw tightened.

“I stepped away for five minutes,” he said quietly.

“And in those five minutes,” Ophelia replied, “someone tried to humiliate her.”

Selene placed a hand lightly on Ryzen’s arm. “It’s okay,” she said softly. “Nothing bad happened.”

Ryzen looked down at her. “Something could have.”

Ophelia smiled faintly.

“Anyway,” she said lightly, stepping back, “see you around, sister.”

Selene blinked. “…Sister?”

Ophelia’s smile widened just a little then she turned and walked away, disappearing into the crowd like she was never there at all.

Ryzen exhaled slowly.

He looked back at Selene, eyes filled with concern. “Tell me everything.”

Selene nodded. “On the way back.”

Ryzen placed a hand gently at her back, guiding her toward the exit. “We’re leaving.”

As they walked, Selene explained quietly—what Lyria did, what she said, how Selene responded.

Ryzen listened without interrupting, his expression growing darker with every word.

When she finished, he was silent.

“You did well,” he said finally.

Selene glanced at him. “I just didn’t want to make things worse.”

Ryzen stopped walking.

He turned to her fully.

“You didn’t,” he said firmly. “You made things clear.”

Selene searched his face. “Are you… upset?”

Ryzen shook his head. “I’m furious. But not at you.”

Selene exhaled.

He guided her gently toward her room, slower now, careful with her steps.

“You shouldn’t have been left alone,” Ryzen said quietly.

Selene smiled faintly. “I survived.”

Ryzen looked at her. “That doesn’t mean you should have to.”

They reached her door.

Ryzen stopped, hesitating.

“I’m sorry,” he said quietly.

Selene blinked. “For what?”

“For putting you in that position,” he replied. “For not being there.”

Selene shook her head gently. “You can’t protect me from everything.”

Ryzen met her gaze. “I can try.”

Selene smiled softly.

And for the first time that night—Despite the stain. Despite the whispers. Despite the danger still waiting—She felt safe again.