Chapter 8: Ch 8. This is my room?!
Selena looked at Vylen, who had just opened the door for her. "Come in, this is your room. You’d best freshen up and get changed first; my father can wait," said the polite man.
"You’re not planning on meeting him on your own, are you?"
Vylen shook his head immediately. "No, let’s meet him together. In fact, I’m a bit worried about meeting him on my own," he said, looking down, his hands clasped together. "I’m still in shock at what you said—that he’s the one who poisoned me when I was a child."
Selena noticed his slightly sour expression; it was as if he was struggling to accept the fact, but of course it would still feel shocking.
How could you possibly feel all right when the man who raised and looked after you since you were a child actually wanted to hurt and kill you in secret?
Selena understood what it felt like to be shocked, disappointed, or whatever else. Because before she was in this body, she had been a wife betrayed by a man who’d always been quite good to her. The man who’d looked after her after Selena’s parents died, the man who’d become her husband and seemed to love her sincerely.
"Sometimes the people closest to you can be the ones who want to destroy you," said Selena as she walked into her bedroom. "I won’t be long; you need to calm down too before we go there. Don’t give him a suspicious, accusatory look straight away; for now, let’s see what he does first."
Vylen looked at Selena, then nodded. "I understand. There are several servants here who will help you bathe; don’t hesitate to ask them for help," he said, and Selena gave a slight nod.
As Vylen left, the three fox servants standing in the room immediately bowed respectfully. Selena looked at them one by one; according to the memories of this body’s original owner, she had never before had servants to help her with anything.
Servants had been provided, but of course, given her former foolishness and weakness, none of them had been willing to show her any respect at all.
Now she was faced with three such servants, who were also from this place. Naturally, not a single one of them had ever been kind to her; now they had changed their attitude due to the news and the declaration from the Eldoria World Council that Selena was the true Healer of Extinction.
"Will you remain there?" Selena asked with a flat expression; she felt a sense of pride she wished to satisfy, to exact a little revenge for how they had treated her in the past.
"Please, Your Highness, we have prepared a bath for you. Some servants are on their way with the clothes you will wear; it won’t be long. You may bathe in peace first; afterwards, we will help you get dressed," said one of the servants in a trembling voice as Selena’s gaze fell upon her.
Then, the three of them hesitantly helped her take off the clothes she was wearing, whilst one of them opened the bathroom door and bowed her head.
"Are you hurt anywhere? If you’re injured, we’ll treat that first," the maid offered, but Selena had already shaken her head.
"No need."
Selena looked at the bath, taking in the simple facilities in her bathroom. It was clear that she had once been a woman who was neglected and merely exploited by those five beast kings.
Now, from the contents of her room to her bathroom, everything was just standard fixtures and fittings. The rough-hewn wooden panelling was clearly visible, as if the only materials needed to furnish her room were those made from rough timber.
"Is this the bedroom and bathroom of the Queen of the Five Beast Kings?" Selena asked, causing one of the servants to stiffen immediately.
"It has always been here, Your Majesty," he replied with a stiff expression.
Selena smiled cynically, touching the water which felt so cold that she snorted.
"Even now that I’ve become the Healer of Extinction, they still haven’t changed my room," Selena said irritably, until the three servants bowed their heads, not daring to look at her. "Am I really not worthy of decent treatment in this place?"
"Your Highness, w-we’re just following orders. As for the room and the items in it, you’d best ask His Majesty the Fox King. We know nothing about that," said one of them, looking worried.
Selena didn’t know why they were so frightened; surely they must remember how they’d once trampled on her dignity. The former owner of this body had never been recognised as Queen, yet now they were so terrified they addressed her as ’Your Majesty’ with such deference.
Tsk!
"Very well, let’s put this aside for now. The danger pursuing Vylen Roxy cannot be delayed for too long." Selena stepped into the bath, soaked herself, and let them set to work cleaning her body.
It has been three days since Selena last had a shower; ever since she was locked up in prison and put on trial, she has had virtually no access to water, having been sentenced to death.
Selena also remembered the time she caught her scoundrel of a husband having sex in a hotel room; she hadn’t had a shower then either, having just got home from work. Now she was finally getting some water that was quite cold—at least it was good enough for the moment.
After her shower, Selena put on a white dress that fell to her ankles. The neckline was quite low, revealing the cleavage of her ample breasts.
The three maids were busy tidying her appearance, combing her hair and making her look beautiful. This made Selena feel as though she were experiencing something new; back when she hadn’t yet taken possession of this body, Selena Grece had never received such excellent service.
The maids had indeed helped her bathe and attended to her before, but that was when she’d been chosen to spend her wedding night with the Wolf King.
Tsk, so it turned out that man had taken her virginity, and now he was still just as arrogant, as if he didn’t need her at all!
"Your Majesty, the Fox King is ready and awaiting you."
Selena nodded, then rose with the help of a servant and slipped on a pair of shoes that looked as though they were made of glass. In the real world, they would have resembled high heels, but the ones she was wearing now were much more comfortable and soft.
Stepping out of the room, Vylen smiled broadly at the sight of her. Selena’s current appearance, befitting both a Queen and the Healer of Extinction, truly made her look like a goddess.
Her face was beautiful yet resolute as she walked towards him with confidence. It was as though Selena was demonstrating that she was no longer a weak woman who could be hurt by anyone.
Vylen instinctively bowed his head, then unconsciously held out his hand to Selena, who did not accept it at all. The woman merely glanced at him, causing Vylen to swallow hard and pull his hand back.
"It’s time to see your father; I can sense the displeasure he’s holding back because you’ve kept him waiting for so long." Selena’s words made Vylen immediately straighten up and nod.
"In that case, let’s just go and see him straight away."
Selena nodded, walking calmly with Vylen by her side.
Their meeting place wasn’t far away; Vylen’s private chambers were only about 50 metres from her room. As soon as the guard on duty opened the door, the sound of shattering glass rang out loudly.
"You wretched boy! Just because I’ve appointed you to succeed me as the Fox King doesn’t mean you can keep me waiting this long, Vylen Roxy!"