The Song of Us

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.