Chapter 14

I knocked three times on the door before a uniformed maidservant opened it.

“Is Henry here?” I inquired. After the incident in the Ball Room, I left to find where my fiancé took his best friend’s sister. People would think of me weird if I didn’t. Henry’s reaction to what happened was excessive. The other guests thought so too, so as my stepmother and Becca. If there really was something happening behind the scenes, I needed to put a stop to it. Or at least I needed to tell them to tune it down.

“Who is it, Malia?” Henry asked from inside the room.

“Your fiancée,” I replied flatly, brushing the servant girl aside and entering the room. “Well, well...”

Henry was standing next to Jade, who was sitting and crying into a handkerchief. She was still dressed in her wine-stained gown. Seriously, she went to a party without bringing a backup dress? What a m*ron.

“What are you doing here, Selina?” Henry demanded, clearly irritated.

“What do you mean?” I asked, a wry smile on my face. “I’m here to make amends for my mistake. How about you, why are you here?”

“Well—I...”

“Well, what? You’ve been literally attached to my hip this entire time, but as soon as the Otxoas arrive, I’m nothing to you?”

“I—” I could tell Henry was struggling to come up with an excuse. “Because Jade needs my help and support; can’t you see how upset she is?”

“Need you?” I crossed my arms over my chest. “She has siblings who can look after her; she doesn’t need you.”

“Please...” Jade spoke up, drawing Henry and my attention to her. Her face was still stained with wine, her eye makeup was ruined, and her eyes were bloodshot from crying and, possibly, the alcohol thrown in her face. “Please, stop arguing; I’ll just leave.”

“No!” Henry and I both exclaimed at the same time, and she stopped sobbing, confusedly looking at both of us.

I gave my fiancé a cool look before approaching Jade and holding her hands.

“I sincerely apologize for the accident,” I said. “Please allow me to make it up to you.”

“How?” Henry piped up. “You’ve already ruined her dress.”

I cocked my brow at him. “You’re particularly upset for someone who is only a friend.”

Henry flinched and looked away with gritted teeth.

“I’m sure the king has already ordered the servants to get you some spare.” I turned to Jade again, smiling to mask how aggravated I was about my fiancé’s actions. “I’ve got a bunch of them ready. Clothes, shoes, jewellery. The lot of them.”

I clapped, and the door to the spare room opened, revealing a long line of servant girls, each holding a more beautiful and stylish gown, box of jewelry, or box of shoes than the last.

“Which ones do you want?” I inquired. “Don’t be shy.”

“I—I can’t—”

“It’s fine. Pick three if you can’t pick just one.” I looked at Henry. “Or would you like His Majesty to choose them for you?”

My fiancé blushed and spluttered. “Leave me out of this.”

“Why, I thought Jade needed you?”

“That one!” Jade exclaimed, pointing to an eggplant-colored puff-sleeved dress. “I chose that one.”

“Good choice,” I said as I approached the dress and examined it. “But the shade was too close to the color of your dress; is it your family’s heraldry color?”

“No, I just like it; ours were blue, black, and white.”

“Oh, okay. How about this one?” I held up a lace sleeved chiffon dress in a mellow rose color that would look lovely on her skin tone. It would look even better on me. I regretted giving it away, but I have a reputation to build.

“That looks good,” Henry commented. “But Selina, that’s your color scheme.”

“Shush.” I held a finger in my fiancé’s direction without looking at him. “This would look good with gold-pointed shoes, a diamond necklace, and... Henry, be a sweetheart and leave.”

Henry and Jade were taken aback, then nervous. They exchanged looks, but didn’t say anything or move.

“What? I’m not going to bite.” I gave them a smile. “Are you going to watch Jade get dressed, too? Thought so. Now, scram!”

“Y-you’re in good hands,” Henry told Jade, squeezing her hand. “I’ll be outside.”

I also asked the other servants to leave, so it was just the two of us and the ones holding the chiffon dress, gold shoes, and necklace.

“Princess Selina, about Henry...” Jade started, but I cut her off.

“Let’s wipe that stain off your face and get you out of that dress,” I said, crossing my arms over my chest. “Go.”

I couldn’t believe the audacity of this woman. She’s already lied to my face; how can she believe her words still have any sway over me?

Another group of maids entered the room and dragged Jade to the bathroom to clean her up. When they were finished, I had one of the maids put the she-wolf in a corset.

“I don’t wear corsets,” Jade complained as she exited the bathroom.

“”A corset will give you a better silhouette," I explained, motioning for the maid to tighten her laces.

I can’t remember a time when I didn’t wear corsets. Contrary to popular belief, they were not meant to be restrictive. They will not be uncomfortable if they use one that is custom-made for them, especially if they do not lace them too tightly. With a good fit, one can even conceal items while wearing them. I figured the b*tch didn’t know, so I used it to my advantage.

“H-how do you breathe on this thing?” Jade gasped as the servants tugged on the ribbons. “T-too tight—”

“Through your nose, of course,” I said as I turned to face the servants. “Enough of that.”

The maids finished tying the lace and then assisted Jade with putting on the dress and shoes. It’s perfect for her. She is absolutely stunning. I prompted her to sit in front of a dresser mirror, and I stood behind her, staring at her reflection. She has beautiful skin. Smooth and supple, with no visible pores or blemishes. Her hair was gleaming, thick, and naturally straight. Even without makeup, she is stunning. She could walk out of here barefaced and still turn heads. No wonder Henry was so smitten with her.

I wanted to ruin that face.

“Princess Selina?” I heard Jade ask, my gaze drawn to her pained expression. When I looked down, I noticed my hands were on her shoulders and I was digging my fingers into them.

“Oh—sorry,” I quickly retracted my hands and turned to face the servant girls. “Curl her hair and put light makeup on her, make it look natural.”

“Yes, Your Royal Highness.”

I sat on a fainting couch, scrolling on my phone, while the girls worked on Jade. I considered instructing the servants to apply horrible makeup to her, but decided against it. It will be better if I gain her trust first, so that I can crush them like ants when they least expect it.

I almost jumped out of my seat when the door to the room was flung open and Bridgette barged in. “What have you done to my sister, you w*tch?”

I cocked an eyebrow at her before leaning back in my seat.

“Jet?” The servant girls dispersed around Jade, and she stood, twirling to face us. When Bridgette saw her older sister, her jaw dropped. “Why are you staring at me? Do I look hideous?”

“You look fantastic,” I said, standing up and tucking my phone into my small purse. “We should all go back to the party; Henry said they had already served lunch.”

I left the room without waiting for a response and proceeded to the Dining Hall. When I arrived, everyone, including Henry, was already seated and eating. He sat next to the empress regent, who’s place was at the head of the table. Naturally, I was seated next to my fiancé.

“Selina, where have you been?” my stepmother asked from across the table. She was sitting beside the empress.

“Went for a walk,” I said, smiling as the empress, Henry, and my stepmother stared at me. Clifford, my butler, placed starters in front of me, and I graciously dug in.

The dining hall doors opened again a few seconds later, and the guests gasped as Jade and Bridgette walked in. Nobody expected her to make an appearance after what happened. They were whispering to each other about how beautiful the she-wolf was, and I swelled with pride.

“Is that your doing?” Helena inquired as Jade and her sister approached their assigned seats.

“Oh, I just loaned her a dress, that’s all.”

“That is so kind of you, Selina.” Camilla was impressed by my generosity. “Stop staring, Henry. It’s embarrassing.”

I giggled, but deep down, I was irritated. Helena looked at me with concern.

“Mother, where is Becca?” I asked to divert her attention. I didn’t see my lady-in-waiting anywhere. Jasper’s seat was also empty.

Why am I suddenly feeling anxious?