The Villainess' Husband For Hire

She scanned the text again and noticed the sender: Crown Prince Adrien. That explained the invitation. Adrien was one of the few people in this world who hadn't openly despised Selena.

This was as good as a royal summons. She had to go.

But Selena knew better than to mistake his tolerance for kindness. In the novel, Adrien has a knack for manipulation. He had supported Selena's obsessive pursuit of Nicholas not because he cared for her but because it suited his agenda.

Adrien had his sights set on Clara, the heroine, and Nicholas, who was the biggest obstacle in his way. By pushing Selena toward Nicholas, Adrien could clear the path to Clara for himself.

Selena shook her head, muttering to herself. "The man is a schemer." He was also her cousin. Selena truly believed the man. They had been close friends since she could remember.

Despite her distaste for Adrien's methods, Selena had to admit that he had played his role well in the story. He had been charming and persuasive, convincing the old Selena that he was her ally.

But Selena wasn't the same person anymore, and she wasn't about to let herself be used as a pawn in someone else's game.

"Why me?" She muttered under her breath. "Why couldn't they just leave me out of this?"

The truth was, Selena wasn't ready. She hadn't been in this world long enough to feel confident navigating its social minefield. And while she had resolved to live her life differently, the prospect of facing those who knew the old Selena was daunting.

The noble ladies hated her. No doubt about it. Many admired both Adrien and Nicholas. She would try to ruin any woman who talked to him. While with Adrien... He used her tantrums as an excuse to avoid dancing with any woman.

He had to go look after his 'dear cousin', playing the role of a martyr was something that seemed to come easy to him. They hated her for stealing their time away from the Crown Prince.

Whether Clara liked them or not, they had to remain 'pure' for her and that seemed to include not dancing with any others. 

Selena didn't hate him too much though, he paid for his sins. Nicholas colluded with the Emperor of the neighbouring Empire and got rid of Adrien. He became the King of their small Kingdom. 

Adrien's interest in Clara had been gradual, almost imperceptible at first. He had played the long game, befriending her, earning her trust, and eventually winning her heart.

Selena remembered reading those scenes with a mixture of admiration and unease. Adrien was a master manipulator, and the way he manoeuvred people was almost terrifying in its precision.

And yet he still failed... Miserably. What could she say? His fault for not being born as the Male lead, and instead the incessant supporting lead who gets on the bad side of the male lead.

Selena had no doubt that Adrien's invitation to the ball had ulterior motives. Perhaps he wanted to gauge her reaction, to see if she would continue playing the role of the obsessed fiancée.

After the great insult that Selena faced before she entered her body. Any self-respecting woman would break off the engagement with him! But Selena in the story... Sigh 

Ming Yue couldn't help but feel annoyed. She wanted to hate her but at the same time, she felt like she held up a mirror to her. Giving up everything for someone who barely acknowledged your existence.

Or perhaps the Crown prince simply wanted to ensure her presence so he could keep an eye on her. Make her become another excuse to reject the noble women. 

He won't get the old Selena, she thought firmly. He'll see that I'm not someone he can toy with anymore.

The knock on her door startled her out of her thoughts. "Come in," She called, her voice steady despite her internal turmoil.

The door opened to reveal one of the maids, her head bowed respectfully. "My lady, the duchess requests your presence in her sitting room."

Selena sighed. Of course, her mother would want to discuss the invitation. The Duchess was likely thrilled at the prospect of her daughter attending a royal ball, regardless of Selena's own reservations.

"Tell her I'll be there shortly," Selena said.

The maid curtsied and left the room, leaving Selena alone with her thoughts once more. She stared at the invitation in her hand, its elegant script taunting her. She couldn't refuse, could she?

Selena entered the duchess's sitting room with a sense of purpose, her head held high. The room was as luxurious as the rest of the mansion, with plush furniture and delicate porcelain vases filled with fresh flowers.

Her mother sat on a chaise lounge, her expression warm and welcoming.

"Selena," The duchess said, motioning for her to sit. "I trust you've seen the invitation."

"I have," Selena replied, taking a seat across from her. She stumbled upon it by chance, who knew Selena had such a weird hiding place?

She wondered if her mother would ask her to back down and not attend. No, that didn't sound like her. If the person in front of her was her brother, then she was sure that he would ask her to not attend.

Plus, she would get to hear an earful of insults about her tarnishing the family's honour again.

The duchess smiled. "This is a wonderful opportunity for you. The royal ball is the perfect place to reintroduce yourself to society."

Selena raised an eyebrow. "Reintroduce myself?" Just what was the old Selena doing?