Chapter Five

The attendant announced Selene's presence before she finally came to the hall, only to see three different people besides her parents. The two older people were obviously the parents of the girl who's wearing a white dress in the middle. Contradicted to the extravagant gown and robe of the two, she looks modest but graceful with her clothing.

She's standing there with her ash-gray-colored hair on her back. Her round and pale purple eyes innocently peek around the room, she looks like a lost sheep but together with her petite body, she can be more considered as a living doll. 

The old lady silently scowls to her daughter, warning her to fix her posture. Ellen timidly follows her mother but still can't help but to steal glances at Selene.

"This is the lady I'm supposed to substitute." She thought to herself, even if there's a veil in her face, Ellen can still tell that this woman is much more beautiful and noble than what she heard from her parents and the informant they hired. 

Selene briefly passed her eyes to the three of them before greeting her parents respectfully. She did those movements flawlessly and looks natural, asserting elegance caused them to subconsciously feel inferior compared to her.

Her parents smile at their daughter as an answer while Ellen and her parents saluted Selene as her status is higher than theirs. She didn't want to pay them any attention but her mother signals them to introduce themselves. 

"Greetings, Lady Selene. We're from the southeast region, province of Soran. This humbled one is the Baron of the said province, Roden Lourdes. This my wife, Giselle and this is my daughter, Ellen Deil." He introduced enthusiastically. Selene stares at them before nodding her head and greeted back, her eyes linger longer in Ellen's direction, the Duke and the Duchess noticed her attention. 

"The King send them here." The Duke said. The Baron stand even straighter when the Duke announced the reason for their presence. "Is that so?" Selene's eyes flickered before asking, "They know what happened?" 

Before the Duke can answer, Baron Roden directly answers her question, "That's right, Young Lady. The King has told us our purpose here and we're willing to help even sacrifice our daughter for the sake of our beloved kingdom." Not only Selene but the Duke and the Duchess eyes' glinted darkly when they heard the arrogant tone in his voice. 

His wife also added fuel to the fire as she says, "Even if it costs us the freedom of our dearest daughter, she volunteers to be your substitute, Your grace. As a subject of the Ruler, it's a shame for us to be acquainted with the Monarch but we are willing victims." She also teared up after saying that while Ellen comforts her crying mother. 

Selene watches the dramatic performance of the two. The Baron may have noticed the unamused faces of the three as he intimately hugs his wife, only to whisper angrily to her ears, "You overreacted! Quit this act now!" His wife, Giselle flinched but instantly wipes out her tears. 

Ellen also acknowledged the fact that the people in front of them only watch their ridiculous effort with a blank expression.

"We messed up." She thought. Of course, what they said is true, the King's men knocked on their door asking for their presence here in the capital but they're actually expecting their arrival because someone from the higher-ups has already told them what to do.

"Use the prophecy as an opportunity to gain the Monarch's favor." That's the only thing that Ellen remembers. She needs to substitute the Lady of the Aphelion bloodline as the Monarch's fated woman. She was terrified at first and wanted to reject this idea but soon was brainwashed by her own parents. Being the Monarch's woman means being part of the royalty and stand more powerful than the King of their kingdom. This strikes Ellen's soul. She even has thought that maybe they can be the royal family of this country if they got the Monarch's acceptance and support. 

She's scared and weak but there's the devil's voice in her heart. She wouldn't waste this kind of opportunity. Ellen looks at Selene thinking, this kind of noble lady who's a loyal person of the Kingdom and the Ruler would definitely not let the prophecy happened. That thought comforts and boosts her eagerness. 

"Then, the only reason that they reacted like this was because of their status." She assumed and this provokes her the most. Her whole life she's been feeling inferior to the royalty and only feels dominant in their province. "If we happened to get the Monarch's support, I'll surely let them experience how to live in the walls, near the borderline." Ellen slightly bows her head down, hiding the malicious glow in her eyes. 

"Do you still need my opinion about this, Your Grace?" Selene only asks the Duke and wasn't interested in their facade. The Duke sighs when he heard how his daughter calls him. 

The Duchess also knows what this means and then excuses first and guides Selene to come inside the room just right in the corner of the hall while the Duke simply offered the Baron and his family some tea. The Baron, Roden also keeps his silence and they waited for the two ladies to come back.

Meanwhile, the Duchess smiles nervously at Selene. It's been two days since Selene told them how she wanted to meet the Monarch and was even willing to obey the prophecy. The Duchess didn't feel any better after hearing that but felt even more worried for her daughter. 

"Selene," the Duchess, Soleil called her and smiles apologetically. "I know you only wanted to help us and we also want the best for you. We've heard a lot about him but it's better to be cautious than do nothing, right?" Selene bit her lips before stubbornly shakes her head. "But mother, you also know how defying fate is a sin, and deceiving the immortals will lead to something bigger in the future."

The Duchess Soleil caresses her head and smiles, "I know but if it's for your good, your father and I can do anything." Selene closed her fist tightly and said, "But I don't want you two to suffer, my brothers and our whole bloodline. If meeting him can avoid terrible things to happen, I'm more than willing to proceed with the prophecy. Mother, you must trust me too." The Duchess was stunned before start tearing up when she heard the sincere voice of her daughter. It didn't take a long time before Selene heard the computer-like voice in her hear saying, 

"Hidden Task: Convince your family how much you want to meet the Monarch. 

Task Points: 500 

Status: Completed

Total points obtained: 500 points

Would you like to use and redeem your points?"

Selene immediately answers no and then closes the tab in the back of her mind space. She's glad the Duchess hugged her if she didn't, she will see the creepy smile on Selene's face. 

"Guess the two days of convincing her parents didn't go waste, it's surprising that the Duke has believed her earlier than the Duchess." Selene thought. She didn't want to think about her older brothers who she met yesterday, they easily believe their younger sister and even want to support her decision. Selene doesn't know if it's a good thing to support your sister to everything or a bad one as they also support the fact that she needs to marry the Monarch.

"Mother," Selene calm the Duchess down. Duchess Soleil takes a deep breath and grins at her. "The people in the hall, their daughter is supposed to be your substitute when the fated day came. She almost has the same characteristics as you." She sighs, "The King's men found them just in the border of the country, they're from a modest family. The King only intended to suggest this idea and we just want to give it a try but-" Selene holds the Duchess's hands. 

"I know, I'll convince your father to withdraw from the plan but now that they're already here, we must at least entertain them, right? even if they sound uhh strange." The Duchess found it hard to say and describe their attitude, they sounded arrogant for no reason, she thought. 

That's when Selene smiles brightly and answers, "Yes, Mother. It's a disrespect if we simply dismiss them back. The Kingdom took the initiative in the first place." The Duchess also smiles back before they decided to walk back to the hall.

The Duke already knows how their discussion ended based on how bright the eyes of his daughter are. He secretly shakes his head but also feels relief. He knows how dangerous defying the prophecy is but the happiness of his only daughter will always be his priority and that's when he realized how incompetent of a leader he is. He can risk the lives in his hands for the sake of his family. 

"Thank you for waiting,” the Duchess said. The Baron, Roden shakes his head and even smiles widely, "We understand, Your grace." He looks between Selene and her before carefully asking, "Should we talk about that matter?" 

The Duke takes a sip then stares at him. "You just arrived in the Kingdom, It's a must to take a rest first. We already prepared a room for you all." He said and looks at the attendant who’s standing just right in the doorway. "Yes, Your grace."

"Lead them to their respective room, assigned the servants to assist them." The Duke instructed and the attendant respectfully answer back. He looks to the three of them again and smiles, "We can talk about this again in another day, I hope you enjoy your stay. Just ask my attendant if you need something." 

Baron Roden forces a smile and nodded to the Duke, "That's right, it's better to take some rest first. It's our pleasure." They bow their head before following the attendant.

Ellen bit her lips when she understands what's happening. "They're having a second thoughts." She whispered to herself, then she glances at her mother only to see her smile. 

"Mother?" Giselle turns her face to see her daughter's restless eyes. "Don't worry, they can't do anything but follow. The order will probably come later or tomorrow." She whispered. 

Ellen blinks her eyes and also noticed the relaxed expression of her father that's when she also loosens her back and her previous demeanor came back. 

"That's true, the King has already talked to us. They can't change the order just because they want to." She thought and decided to just enjoy her stay here as she secretly plans how to be a good wife for the Monarch.

"You have decided then?" The Duke asks the two ladies in front of him who were casually drinking tea. "Yes, father. I've told you before, I also want to protect our family, and meeting the Monarch may not be that bad." It's more than just bad father, Selene wanted to add but decided not to. 

"He must not. Even if he's an immortal, I can still fight him." Selene smiles thinking his father is only joking at the moment but her mother rolled her eyes and says, "Even if you're now an Imperial Swordsman, you can't still beat them." Selene glance at the Duchess after hearing the unfamiliar term from her.

"Why don't I have the memories of the past Selene? I only know some basic knowledge but this isn't even part of it!" I really want to change this system. They should have given me more information about Selene as they didn't even provide any reliable source about this world anyway. Everything since day one has been falling into the wrong places.

"Well, you can use your points to redeem her memories and knowledge!" The scam system mumbled. What kind of foolish strategy is this? I just got my first points and it's already persuading me to use them?

"Is it just fair for you to give me those memories as a given gift?" The system only shook its body and bounces exaggeratedly. I bit the corner of my lips, wanting nothing but to deal with it. Maybe I can use it as a football next time. Who wants your information anyway?

I continued drinking my tea but our peaceful tea time ended sooner when I heard the loud voices of the brothers. The Duke looked so disappointed and glared in their direction, "Why do we have these two more children?" The Duchess glared back at the Duke, "Is it your fault? You don't know family planning! Selene is the only good child I got from you." I force a smile while listening to their everyday conversation. I peek at the two brothers, feeling bad for them, just a little. 

The two brothers: ...

They know that their parents are just joking so they didn't feel offended at all. Their parents are just joking, right?

I know that's what they're thinking about but sometimes I feel like our parents sound serious. Poor souls. 

"Why are you all here again? Aren't you busy with your duty?" That's right. I'm actually forgetting the fact that this world is a fantasy. There are immortals but humans also have abilities based on their bloodline and origin. 

Now, who says I need to use my points to redeem Selene's information? Having one talkative brother is more than enough, the other one is kinda cold but in my world, he's the so-called tsundere, my room is still filled with sealed gifts and such.  

What a simp. 

"Selene, you haven't attended the institute since last month. They're always asking for you." Callisto said to me. "Really? But I guess I can no longer go there." I answer. What is he talking about?

"What do you mean? Even if you go and meet the Monarch that doesn't mean you'll also go with him, right?" I want to laugh when I heard what he said. He didn't just disclose my original plan, huh? 

"But ain't that supposed to happened?" I ask but I want to clap my hands. Yes, that's what I'm planning, if ever that I really got the chance to meet him, they didn't emphasize that I need to go with him, right?

I know I must go with him according to my task but what I'm proud of the most is my patience. Slow burn. 

"Who told you that? Maybe you will only go to the other nation but we can still visit you and vice versa. You're a person of Aphelion!" Callisto declared and even raised his fist to his head. 

I love the fact that they didn't say we're the people of the Ruler as they know that I'm going to be part of the Monarch soon. 

"You shut up. You can't even reach the sage class of a swordsman." Achlys cuts his sentiment off. It's kind of obvious that Callisto is a knight with his armor but does it mean that I'm also a swordsman? I never thought of that. 

Selene's room doesn't have much girl stuff or a strong theme. To be honest it looks kinda dull other than her dressing room which only has dresses, corsets, gowns, and such. 

"How about you? Do you think spells and magic can resist the Monarch's capability?" That's when I observed Achlys more, He looked nothing like a magician? 

"I'm a sorcerer. I don't only use magic and spell. You blockhead."

Oh, did he just heard me? It looks like he did not, it's just a coincidence but I feel offended. 

They start bickering and so, the Duke and the Duchess paid them no attention. While I'm here, so disappointed with their performance.

"You let me down, guys," I said. They looked at me, looking so confused and bewildered. I stand up and asks to go up first to the Duke and Duchess, I mean our parents. I'm still not used to call them like that. They nodded and even look at me sadly.

"Selene? What do you mean? Do you no longer want us?" Callisto call my name and shout through his lungs while the maidservants assisted me. 

"I need to redeem Selene's information," I said frustratedly. The system excitedly screams at my head almost sounds like Callisto's voice, this fool. "Took you long enough, host!" It commented and a tab appears on the mind space.

Mind space is the place where I first came here, a white endless room with only this black and ball-shaped system, and my presence exists. 

"Selected item: Selene's information. 

Total points: 500

Continue to redeem? Yes or No?"

I take a deep breath before choosing the word yes. The points are meant to use anyway. Pity me, assuring and comforting myself. I didn't have to wait any longer as my mind was filled with a lot of information from the system.

I'm still processing all of it but the ones that stay and lifts my eyebrow is the information about the whole family's ability

 

Callisto Aphelion, a high-ranked knight and still working to be a Swordman like their father. His status is already great considering his age of 21. He's expected to reach the Sage class as a Swordsman this year, he's only an Ace swordsman right now. If you want to convert that status from my world. He's already a master and out of 10 grades with 10th as the highest, he's already at the 5th stage.

 Achlys Aphelion is a direct disciple of a prominent sorcerer in the Sky. Yes, directly from the Ruler's people. How bold this brother is? He's only 24 but he has the chance to go to the Sky if he succeeds to be a Celestial Sorcerer. He's a Sage sorcerer now. Which is on the 6th stage in my own words. I'm glad they have the same categorization of the class. 

That's when I knew about how powerful our bloodline is, the Duchess, Soleil is a great alchemist with Celestial class and a disciple of an Imperial alchemist from the tower of protectors while the Duke, Gabriel is an outstanding high-ranked Swordsman. He's actually an imperial swordsman! He has won a lot of wars in the past and managed to win a lot of territories. 

This information is not part of what the system gave to me in the first place and I just knew that the body has a powerful sense of magic to be a sorcerer and a good foundation to be a Swordsman. Guess what path the past Selene chose? 

I closed my eyes. I'm now alone inside my room and so, I freely collected the mana and this strange warmth from my soul. She's a swordsman.

I should've guessed that. With the tough tone of the body, despite how it looks fragile and delicate, her foundation is actually great and I feel like I can fight the other knights in the hall. And she's already a Sage class! 

I never thought that Selene chose this kind of physical path. She doesn't look like someone whose willing to hold a sword and fight brutally. 

 I summoned her sword. That's why I can't see any clue in the room, it can be summoned in the space. 

I feel like my blood is boiling with excitement. Transmigrating is really not that bad especially if you have a cheat level skill.

"But you can't perform like the past Selene if you don't have enough experience, it's useless, Host!" I smirked when I heard the system's remarks.

"Having a good body is already enough for me but with this ability-" I didn't continue what I'm saying and just sway the sword aimlessly. It continues to annoy me but I blankly shut our connection off. 

"Hmm, what a peaceful atmosphere." I put the sword back to space. I recollect the first information I received from the system. It seems like I didn't have to wait for so long before the King will send someone to fetch me and go to the Palace. After rejecting the idea of the substitute, they will surely try to convince me personally.

"Things are getting more and more interesting."