Though her words were polite and her mannerisms respectful, Kelheit understood the jab she gave him for failing to announce his presence sooner. He smiled at her cheekiness.

When she raised her head to meet his eyes, she gasped, one hand clutching her skirt involuntarily. Kelheit raised his hands to show he meant no harm, confused as to why she was more surprised now than moments before.

“Theodore...?” she whispered under her breath, lips hardly moving.

All traces of friendliness disappeared from Kelheit's face as he unsheathed his sword, stopping his blade just before cutting into her neck. He was certain she would have no reason to know that name, the name only those closest to him would know, a name that appeared in no records.

One of the Umbra family's many secrets were the names used solely for undercover purposes, and were only known by their few trusted allies. The Vizio family did not make that list.

Selene stood frozen in fear, apparently realizing the gravity of her mistake. Her mind raced with answers for her next move, but she was too tired and overwhelmed to formulate anything concrete.

“Tell me who you are,” the snarl in Kelheit's voice caused Selene to flinch.

“I am Selene, youngest child of Marquess Vizio,” she responded firmly.

“I know who you say you are,” Kelheit spat back.

“I am who I say I am.”

“I fail to come up with any reasonable explanation as to why you would know that name,” Kelheit growled, holding his sword firmly in place, leaning into his deadly stance.

“Regardless of what you think of this situation, me uttering a name would not pass as justification for my death to the Marquess,” Selene responded as calmly as she could. “I know how vindictive my father can be.”

Kelheit remained rooted, eyes narrowing as he considered her words.

“He will do his best to ruin you to make up for the loss of me. Marriage is very profitable, after all,” she continued. “I will explain myself to you, but you must give me time.”

“Why should I trust you?” his accusational tone lacked the anger it held before.

“Trust your own judgment. Do I seem malicious in any way?”

Kelheit studied her face carefully, noting her sorrow-filled eyes and quivering lip.

“Why must I wait for an explanation?”

“I do not have all the answers yet. I will return next week,” Selene's voice was shaky, tears beginning to collect under her eyelid. “I am sorry.”

As a tear rolled down her cheek, the thought popped into Kelheit's head that it wasn't the misunderstanding she was apologizing for. A sneaking suspicion of familiarity crept upon him, though he was unsure of its cause.

His sword moved through the air quickly, returning to its sheath. Flinching from the sudden movement, when she opened her eyes again, Kelheit had vanished.