Chapter 367: Even the smallest happiness
Later that evening, after Alora woke from her rest, she found herself sitting in the quiet comfort of the chamber with Selvina. The soft glow of the setting sun bathed the room in a warm light as Magnus had already left to discuss matters with his brothers.
As they sat together, Selvina shifted slightly in her seat, her expression uncertain. "Princess Alora, there’s something I need to talk to you about," she began, her voice tinged with hesitation.
Alora turned to her, curiosity piqued by the unease in Selvina’s tone. "What is it, Selvina? You can speak freely," she encouraged, offering a gentle smile.
Selvina hesitated for a moment, as if gathering the courage to speak. Finally, she blurted out, "Umm... Prince Magnus’s friend asked me out."
Alora’s eyes widened in surprise, taken aback by the unexpected revelation. "What? Who?" she asked, her astonishment clear as she tried to process what Selvina had just said.
Selvina glanced down, her cheeks flushing slightly as she gathered the courage to continue. "It’s Lord Griffin," she confessed. "He told me that Princess Alora mentioned I’m not seeing anyone at the moment. So, he gave me some time to think about it," she asserted, her voice quiet but steady.
Alora’s eyes widened as she immediately recalled her conversation with Griffin. Her mouth opened in surprise. "I-I did mention it to him once. You had shared with me how you wish to settle down and start a family of your own. When Griffin asked if I knew someone suitable, I suggested your name," she explained, her excitement evident as she anticipated Selvina’s response.
But to Alora’s surprise, Selvina didn’t share her enthusiasm. Instead, she looked hesitant and a certain pain was visible in her eyes.
"Your Highness," Selvina began, "I don’t have such grand ambitions. What I mean is, I come from a servant class, while Lord Griffin holds a much higher status. If things don’t go well between us, I’m the one who would suffer. I never told you this before, Princess Alora, but I once loved a man of higher social standing. He betrayed me. I was heartbroken and humiliated. Since then, I’ve been wary of getting involved with someone above my limit," she elaborated, revealing a deeply personal and painful part of her past.