There was a reason why Vanessa dared to speak so brazenly.

In Selene's past life, Vanessa's methods were never particularly tactful or ingenious. She relied on the power of one man after another. She somehow bewitched each of them, and they willingly became her loyal pawns.

Strangely enough, every man she used had seemed utterly devoted to her, as though they were under a spell. Even Zirion hadn't escaped her charm.

Selene instinctively glanced at Zirion, who stood silently by Vanessa's side. His head hung low, and he seemed lifeless, like he was a puppet on strings. This seemed kind of odd to Selene.

Vanessa was openly throwing suggestive glances at Fenric right before Zirion. However, he showed not even the faintest trace of sadness.

"No… I don't want to. You smell strange," Fenric replied, wincing and stepping back with an expression of unmistakable disgust.

He had grown up in the mountains and had never been trained in social etiquette before coming to Selene's side. So, it never crossed his mind to spare Vanessa some dignity when he spoke his mind.

That was likely the first time a man had ever rejected Vanessa. Her face flushed a crimson shade with humiliation. "You… What insolence!"

She snapped, and she raised her hand to slap Fenric. But her palm stopped just an inch from his face.

Selene had caught her wrist. "What do you think you're doing?"

Then, she flung Vanessa's hand aside with such force that she staggered backward several steps.

"What right do you think you have to discipline my beastman?" Selene questioned.

A hostile glint flashed across Vanessa's eyes, but it was gone as quickly as it came. "Selene…"

Zirion did not step forward to help her. He stood firmly behind with his burning gaze fixed on Selene.

"I… Uh… I think such an unruly beastman won't be able to serve you well," Vanessa said with a forced smile. She hurriedly pushed Zirion forward and added, "But Zirion is different. He's orderly in doing things. Why don't I give him to you instead?"

Vanessa sounded overly eager when she offered Zirion. Selene knew why. It was because she had disrupted Vanessa's most critical move in her scheme, and that was placing Zirion at her side.

In her past life, Vanessa knew everything Selene did because of Zirion.

So this time, Selene sensed that if she didn't act as she normally would or take Zirion in, she would be able to break free from Vanessa's manipulation.

Still, the show had to go on. Selene feigned surprise and asked, "But isn't he your personal guard now? Can you really bear to give him up, Nessa?"

"Why not? You're the one I care about the most," Vanessa replied.

Selene found her response so ironic and funny that she nearly burst into laughter. She composed herself and said, "Well, I admit that I do tend to choose my men based on looks."

Vanessa was visibly relieved as she followed up her pitch with a smile, "Zirion's looks are first-class for sure. If you like—"

"I don't like him," Selene cut her off.

Her smile remained, but her tone was icy. "I don't like others touching what's mine. And I despise using what others have used before. I find it filthy."

The moment those words fell, Zirion's lips turned visibly pale. He staggered a little, as though he barely had the strength to remain standing.

"I find it filthy."

Those were the words Zirion had once said to Selene. In Selene's past life, rumors about Selene keeping lovers in her bedchamber even at a young age had spread far and wide. It was scandalous and shameful.

Though they were lies, Zirion had believed them. And so, when he was by her side, his eyes carried not only disdain but also deep disgust.

Selene remembered everything like it was yesterday. Once, on his birthday, she had personally carved him a wooden rose. She had intended to call him over and give it to him as part of a custom-made sword knot.

In the end, Zirion never showed up. He even had someone return the gift.

"H-He said… He said he doesn't deserve such a precious gift given his lowly status," the attendant had stammered.

But the maid who had gone with him fumed with anger and ranted, "I clearly heard that ingrate say that this wooden rose was filthy!"

The gift itself was not filthy. It was the maker whom he thought was filthy.

At that time, Selene forced herself to think of the scar on Zirion's waist and tried her best not to take his rejection to heart. After that, she still gave him gifts. But she never gave him anything she had made herself again.

There came a series of booming metallic clangs.

The sudden tolling of the city bell snapped Selene back to her senses. It was the signal announcing the start of the annual riding and archery competition held by the city.

In her past life, Selene had shone brilliantly in this competition. Because of that, she drew Alaric's suspicion and fear.

"Since you dislike Zirion, then I won't force the matter," Vanessa said understandingly with a smile.

Compared to earlier, she seemed to be in a far better mood. "After all, today is your big day."

With that, she left with Zirion in tow.

"Is it your birthday today?" Fenric asked.

Having misunderstood Vanessa's words, he picked several flowers in the garden. He seemed to know which ones bloomed most beautifully because he moved swiftly. Barely a second later, he handed them to Selene with a sincere expression.

Selene smiled and accepted the bouquet but shook her head. She said, "Thank you. But today is not my birthday. One hour from now, the riding and archery competition will be held on the plains outside the city. All beast tamers must participate."

Fenric recalled how Selene had shot an arrow through the beast's eye back in the beast pit.

"You'll surely emerge as the champion. I'll go get you the finest horse," he said confidently.

"No, not the finest one." Selene winked at him mischievously. "Just get me the prettiest one."

…

After changing into her riding clothes, Selene arrived at the competition grounds just in time to see Fenric leading a horse toward her. He looked troubled, as though he wanted to say something but kept holding back.

"You want to say that pretty horses are usually weak, don't you? That's fine. That's exactly what I want," Selene said. She opened her palm to reveal a sword knot that was adorned with a wooden rose. "Here. Put this on your sword."

Fenric accepted it and replied with delight, "Is this a gift?"

"You could say that. I carved it myself, so it doesn't look very nice."

"I… I like it very much!" Fenric grinned widely from ear to ear. He immediately tied it to his sword hilt and seemed to cherish it very much.

"I have another task for you," Selene said. Then, she lowered her voice and instructed, "Make sure this gift is seen as much as possible."

With a perplexed expression on his face, Fenric nodded gingerly. Before he could ask, cheers rose from the distance, cutting off their conversation.

"Nessa's archery has improved so much. She even hit the bullseye once!"

"At this rate, she'll soon be able to join us on hunts in the mountains."

Vanessa waved her hand shyly, blushing from the compliments. She responded humbly, "You flatter me, dear brothers. I only hit the target on my tenth arrow. Compared to how Selene did in the past, I'm nothing. Back then, she struck a rabbit's eye about 330 yards away with one shot! She's always been my role model."

Their voices traveled just enough to reach the ears of Alaric, who was seated at the viewing platform.

"Since you say so, then allow me to show off my skills once more."

Selene mounted her horse and held up a strip of white cloth as she rode before the crowd. Only when all eyes were fixed upon her did she tie the cloth across her eyes.

"Blind shooting? Oh, it'll be a feast for the eyes!" Vanessa's voice trembled with excitement that she could barely contain.

As soon as the signal went off, Selene charged forward blindfolded. She raised her bow and shot an arrow… It was a miss. She quickly shot another. Again, it was another miss.

Laughter erupted from the stands all around.

Upon hearing that, Selene tore off her blindfold in disbelief. She clenched her teeth in frustration as she wheeled her horse around. In her fury, she flung the piece of white cloth to the ground.

She locked her eyes on the target intently. Then, she spurred her horse forward and drew her bow. This time, she hit the outermost ring. It was followed by another shot, which was a miss yet again.

"Damn it!" Selene hurled her bow to the ground. "Bring me another bow!"

The audience sniggered harder, some even bent over as they cried tears of laughter.

"How embarrassing! What a feast for the eyes, indeed!"

"What a complete and utter disgrace Selene has become!"

Among the crowd, only Vanessa's face was pale. She turned around and stammered nervously, "N-No, this isn't Selene's usual standard. She must be tired. Please give her another chance…"

Her words were cut short when an arrow suddenly whistled past and grazed her cheek.

"Nessa!"

Selene cried out and quickly dismounted. But in her haste, she faltered and fell hard on her knees. As a result, her hands pressed down onto the muddy ground.

Fenric was about to rush forward, but Selene shot him a look to stop him. She pulled herself up and limped toward Vanessa with concern. "Are you alright, Nessa? I didn't do that on purpose!"

With her muddy hands, Selene cupped Vanessa's face and scrutinized her anxiously. Then, she ran her hands all over her body while exclaiming, "Did you get hurt anywhere? I'd better check thoroughly!"

"Why, you…"

Mud had gotten into Vanessa's eyes. She nearly lashed out in anger, but upon remembering that she was in public under many pairs of watchful eyes, she forced herself to swallow her rage. She said, "I'm fine, Selene. Don't worry about me."

"It really wasn't my fault. It was the bow… No, I mean the wind!" Selene blamed everything but herself.

Then, she turned to look at Alaric and pleaded, "Father, please give me another chance. I didn't do well earlier…"

"The competition stipulates that each person gets ten shots and no more," Alaric replied sternly.

He paused for a moment before adding, "How is Nessa's injury?"

Selene had estimated and executed her "missed" shot to perfection. Vanessa's face bore only a faint scratch. In fact, it was so superficial that it hadn't even drawn blood.

"I… I am fine," Vanessa forced out through gritted teeth.

"In that case, both of you, go and tend to yourselves," Alaric said, clearing his throat. He then looked toward the center of the competition grounds and ordered, "Continue."

Besides the competition venue were washrooms set up for the participants. Selene walked toward them under Fenric's confused gaze.

She was in excellent spirits. "Well? Wasn't I insufferable?"

Fenric frowned hard and pursed his lips, shaking his head firmly. "You could never be insufferable."

Selene gave him a helpless look and said, "Just wait for me outside."

Once inside, she dismissed her attendants and slipped into the bath alone.

After that spectacle, everyone believed Selene was nothing more than an heiress who had since fallen from grace compared to her past glories. With that, Alaric's suspicions toward her vanished completely.

But still, Vanessa wasn't one to sit around doing nothing. She would surely devise new ways to rekindle his doubts.

Selene was still thinking when the sounds of a scuffle came from outside.

"Give it back!"

"This is mine!"

Startled, she threw on a robe and stepped out.

Zirion and Fenric stood face to face at the door, glaring at each other. Fenric had his sword drawn and pointed at Zirion. The sword knot hanging from the hilt swayed faintly in the wind.

"He's trying to take the gift you gave me!" Fenric fumed.

"That's mine to begin with!" Zirion countered. His eyes were bloodshot as he glared at Fenric, his words revealing more than what he realized.

This indicated that just like Selene, he had gone back in time too. She had been harboring some suspicions since that stormy night when she overheard his delirious muttering.

Zirion had said he had begged so hard for a chance. It could have meant his begging Vanessa for the chance to meet her, or it could have also meant that he had begged for another shot at life.

Selene had no idea which scenario it was. That was why she made Fenric flaunt the sword knot openly. She wanted to see how Zirion would react.

"That sword knot should be mine…" Zirion insisted in a trembling voice, turning to look at Selene.

He wouldn't be reacting this way if he were simply the Zirion from this life without any past memories. The carved wooden rose being his gift was something that had happened in their past life.

"How ridiculous," Selene said with a scoff, crossing her arms and leaning lazily against the doorway. "I carved that rose and gave it to Fenric. How could it be yours?"

Zirion clenched his fists, his gaze darting between the sword knot and Selene. "I… I once lost one just like it…"

"So are you implying I stole it from you?" Selene retorted sharply.

The more he explained, the worse the situation became.

Zirion moved closer anxiously. "Ms. Wyndham, I wish to speak with you alone…"

The city bell tolled again, signaling the end of the annual competition.

"Nessa hit the target once, so she'll surely be rewarded. Shouldn't you go take a look?" Selene said with a sneer.

Fenric stepped to block Selene from Zirion's view. His eyes brimmed with hostility.

Zirion stood silent for a moment before turning his back and saying, "Ms. Vanessa and I are merely master and servant."

Then, he walked away.

…

Now that Selene had confirmed Zirion had gone back in time like she did, she kept a closer watch on Vanessa.

By right, Zirion should have already revealed all of her secrets to Vanessa. But strangely enough, though Vanessa continued plotting her schemes, she seemed to be struggling.

Her moves mirrored the ones she did in the past life, and Selene foiled them all one by one. After a while, Vanessa started to lie low and not make any moves. For a moment, Selene thought she had given up.

But one evening, she found Zirion in her bedchamber upon returning. He had been carefully dressed, his long hair loose and hanging free over his shoulders. His robe was so sheer that it was nearly transparent. Only the golden embroidery on the cuffs gave the garment an air of refinement.

It turned out that Vanessa had not given up, after all. She seemed to believe that Selene would inevitably fall for Zirion.

"Interesting choice of outfit. Did Nessa send you over again?" Selene smiled faintly from where she stood without moving closer.

But Zirion only stared at her with brooding eyes. Casting away his pride, he dropped to his knees before her. He took her hand and kissed her fingertips fervently, mimicking the very gestures he had scorned in his past life.

"I came here… of my own volition. Will you let me be your beastman?" His voice was soft, carrying a faint, unhinged edge.

"Sure," Selene replied airily. She crouched down so that her eyes met his, and her smile vanished. "Close your eyes."

His pupils that reflected her silhouette dilated a little. His shoulders shook ever so slightly. Slowly, his eyelids fluttered closed.

In the next instant, Selene pulled out a dagger from her sleeve and drove it straight into Zirion's chest.