Continuing to walk forward despite the sound of heels behind her, Selene cursed under her breath as they continued to grow closer.

Suddenly, a hand grabbed her wrist, jolting her to a stop. Selene whipped her head around to face her sister. Though both of their hair was an unmistakable reflection of their mother, Giselle's green eyes stood out as other among their family.

Usually clear and bright regardless of their sadness, those green eyes now held anger and contempt in their depths.

“You must think very highly of yourself,” Giselle's lips curled into a slight snarl. “I never imagined my sweet younger sister would wake up a viper.”

“You must have mistaken my intentions,” Selene kept an even voice even as a fleeting yet pained expression flashed in her usually deadpanned eyes.

“No, I believe you were quite clear with what you said at dinner,” Giselle's grip tightened around her wrist.

“That is nonsense,” Selene shook herself from her sister's grasp.

“I won't let you get away with playing dumb!” Giselle snarled, balling her hands into fists. “You know Father doesn't favor me. You want to seem better than you are, so you're trying to get Father to compare the two of us! Is it impossible for you to stand tall on your own merit? Must you cut me down to prove your worth?”

“This has nothing to do with you,” Selene continued. “Your own insecurities are clouding your judgment. Do not make the mistake of thinking others think of you as often as you think of yourself.”

Selene spun on her heels and marched away down the hall, resisting the urge to look back lest it encourage her to comfort her slighted sister.

Selene changed into more comfortable clothing before trudging off to her brother's study. She entered quietly enough but started pacing almost immediately. A scowl grew on William's face as his concentration waned due to her incessant movement.

“You are going to wear a hole in my floor, dear sister,” he said dryly without looking up. “Pray tell, what has you so wound? Dinner went well, I thought.”

“Yes, dinner went well,” the exasperated words left her mouth as she threw her weight into an armchair. “I spoke with Giselle.”

“You were already expecting her to confront you,” William said softly as he placed his quill on his desk and directed his attention at his distressed guest.

“That doesn't make the situation any easier,” Selene sighed. “It happened sooner than I expected.”

“We agreed this is how it had to be,” William began tentatively. “You know Father-”

“Yes,” Selene said with a heavy sigh. “Yes, I know.”

After a moment, William picked up his quill and began to work through his pile of documents. Selene sat quietly, hoping the silence between them would help to silence the thoughts racing through her mind.