The Spare's Second Chance in Apocalypse-Chapter 259: Ch 258: You’re a guest- Part 2

Selene sat on the plush edge of the unfamiliar bed, her back straight and her hands resting in her lap. The room around her was comfortable—almost too comfortable.

Everything looked perfect: the bedding, the polished floors, the soft lights humming gently from crystal fixtures.

But the stillness grated on her nerves.

She stood abruptly.

’I need air.’

Without wasting another second, Selene walked to the door and pulled it open—only to come face-to-face with a palace guard.

He didn’t flincH.

"Is there something you need?"

’Oh! I am being watched at all times. I mean, I was told that I would be...but I am just realizing how true that statement might be.’

Selene blinked, surprised.

"I just wanted to take a walk."

The guard nodded.

"Then I’ll accompany you."

She didn’t protest, though a sour taste rose in her mouth.

’So they really don’t trust me, huh.’

Still, she bit back her pride and turned to walk down the hallway, the guard falling into step beside her.

The corridors were silent aside from the occasional echo of footsteps in the distance.

Selene took in the castle’s design as they passed: grand tapestries, marble columns, technology hidden seamlessly among traditional elegance.

After ten minutes, she’d had enough.

The constant presence behind her—the quiet breathing, the weight of his stare—was worse than the isolation.

’Ugh, this is so uncomfortable. Somehow, I feel even worse than when I first came out to take this walk. I should have just stayed in the room today. I won’t have to face all this.’

She turned around with a practiced smile.

"Thanks. I think I’ve walked enough for today."

The guard didn’t question it.

He nodded and silently followed her back. When she closed the door behind her, he took his post once more, standing like a statue outside her room.

Selene leaned against the door.

’So I’m being watched every second... Figures.’

Her stomach growled.

Sighing, she pulled out the ration bar she always kept stashed in her system.

It was dry, dense, and flavorless—but at least she knew what was in it. She didn’t trust these people enough to eat their food, not yet.

’Let’s save better food for later.’

Evening came, and with it, a sharp knock on her door.

Before she could answer, it opened. Julie stepped inside without preamble, her expression unreadable.

"Dinner. You’re coming."

She said flatly.

Selene stood, brushing off her clothes.

"Didn’t realize I had to be escorted everywhere."

Julie gave her a look.

"You’re lucky the one who found you was Lord Atticus. If it had been someone else—"

"Yeah, yeah. I’d be dead. I get it."

Selene cut in.

Julie’s jaw clenched.

"You should be more thankful."

Selene didn’t respond.

She followed Julie through the hallways in silence, her body tense. Something about the air felt off—too heavy.

She was about to ask if there was a storm or a change in atmospheric pressure when a wave of power slammed into her senses.

Selene stopped walking, her shoulders stiffening. Her heart thumped once, hard.

That aura—it was dense.

Her fingers twitched as if expecting a fight, and her muscles coiled, ready to spring. Her vision sharpened, and the voice in her head—quiet until now—rose up again.

[Fight. Strike. You felt that power. You know what it means.]

Selene’s lips tightened.

’No.’

She tried to focus on her breathing, grounding herself, but the pull to confront the source of the power was overwhelming.

She turned her head slightly toward the approaching presence—only for Julie to step in, bow deeply, and then snap her hand out to force Selene’s head down too.

Selene struggled, glaring sideways.

"What are you doing?"

Julie hissed quietly,

"Bow. Now. Don’t look. You want to survive here, don’t you?"

Before Selene could process it fully, the moment passed. The energy faded.

Whoever had walked by was gone.

Julie released her with a sigh.

"You have no idea how lucky you are. Keep your head down around that one, or you won’t last long here."

Selene didn’t say anything. She was still trying to understand what she felt.

The aura wasn’t just strong—it was devouring and hungry.

And it had felt personal, though she didn’t know why.

"Let’s go."

Julie muttered.

They walked in silence again, but Selene could feel Julie watching her out of the corner of her eye now. Assessing her. Judging.

The tension stayed with Selene all the way to the dining hall.

When they entered, Prince Atticus was already seated at the head of a long, ornate table.

His expression brightened when he saw Selene, and he stood up as though she were a welcomed guest and not a prisoner under watch.

"I was hoping you’d join us. Please. Sit."

He said with a warm smile.

Julie frowned but said nothing as Selene walked over and took the offered seat.

The moment she sat down, she felt the prince’s eyes on her—too attentive, too curious.

Julie sat to Atticus’s right, her lips tight, her eyes sharp.

Selene didn’t miss the way she stared at her, the silent fury in her gaze.

’Jealousy? Distrust? Both?’

Selene looked down at the food in front of her. It smelled good—spiced vegetables, some kind of grilled meat, soft bread and sweet fruit.

But she didn’t touch it.

Instead, she kept her hands folded neatly on her lap, offering a polite smile whenever Atticus tried to make conversation.

He didn’t seem to notice—or didn’t care—that she wasn’t eating. He kept the questions casual: where she was from, how she survived in the forest, if she’d ever been in this world before.

Selene answered vaguely, enough to satisfy him without revealing anything important.

Julie watched it all. Silent. Fuming.

Selene could almost feel the heat of her stare burning into her skin.

’I guess I will need to be more careful from here on. I don’t think Julie is my biggest fan. But I am sure she won’t try anything funny while I am a guest, right?’

Once could only hope at this point.