---
As Asher saw Selena standing before him, he felt a storm of emotions raging within. His fists clenched involuntarily, his breathing unsteady. Was this truly her? Could she be real? His mind fought against the reality presented before him. Silence fell over the group like a thick fog, and everyone stood frozen, unsure of what to say.
"W-What's going on?" Selena's voice trembled. "You guys are scaring me… Why are you looking at me like that?"
Lyria stepped forward, her expression full of pity. "You… You are…" She hesitated, struggling to find the right words.
Selena's heart pounded as she waited, feeling the weight of Lyria's hesitation.
"You're a clone," Lyria finally admitted, her voice filled with sympathy.
Selena's breath hitched. "W-What?" she whispered, her head shaking in denial. "No… that's impossible."
Talon stepped forward, holding something in his arms. When Selena turned to look, her eyes widened in sheer horror—her own lifeless body lay in his grasp.
"No… no, no, no, no…" Selena's hands trembled as she reached for the body, but as soon as her fingers touched the cold, lifeless face, she jerked back as if burned.
"But… I remember…" she murmured. "Asher… You told me to spy on the advisor. I followed him and… I saw him in a dark room… He was pulling out a dead body… and then…" She closed her eyes as flashes of memory struck her like lightning bolts.
"He caught me."
She gasped, stepping backward, realization dawning upon her. "And then I tried to run…" Her voice quivered. "Then… I… died"
Her fingers brushed over her own throat as if remembering the pain, the fear, the death.
Asher's expression remained cold. His crimson eyes bore into her as he confirmed her worst fear.
"Yes. The real you died." His voice was devoid of emotion. "What stands before me now is nothing but a replica—a mere fabrication crafted by my clone."
His words cut through Selena like a dagger. Tears welled up in her eyes, and before she could think, her palm whipped across Asher's face with a sharp slap.
Powww!!
Everyone gasped. No one had ever dared to strike Asher before. Even Talon, who had a reckless streak, wouldn't have done something so bold.
"How could you?!" Selena shouted, her voice thick with emotion. "I may be a clone, but I have my memories! I have my emotions! I am still me!"
"But you are not Selena." Asher's voice was like steel.
Selena's fists trembled. "Then what about you, Asher?" she challenged, her voice shaking with fury. "You are a clone as well! Should I say that you are not real either?"
Asher's eyes darkened.
"My point exactly," he said coldly. "How do I know this isn't all part of Lysar's plan? How do I know you're not a spy he created and placed in my mansion?"
Selena's lips quivered, and she felt her breath hitch. A heavy silence fell over them again.
She clenched her fists but said nothing.
Without another word, Asher turned and walked away, his cloak billowing behind him as he disappeared into the mansion.
Selena's shoulders shook as she stared at his retreating figure.
Talon sighed, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Let's go inside," he said gently. "You've been through enough."
She nodded, but the tears continued to fall as the tried to hug and console her.
---
The next morning, Lord Oreos requested an audience with Asher.
"Congratulations," Lord Oreos said with a smirk. "Thanks to you, the Valvador estate is now without an heir."
Usher remained silent, his eyes emotionless.
"Since the owner and the heir are both dead I will be the one taking over the territory if you permit," Lord Oreos continued. "But if you'd like, I am willing to grant you a portion of it as well."
"I have no interest in claiming what isn't mine," Asher replied, his tone sharp. "I will not take authority over Valvador's estate, nor will I accept any gold from it."
Lord Oreos chuckled. "Suit yourself," he said. "But know that you have my full support. If you ever need my help, you need only ask."
Asher remained silent, lost in thought.
"You seem troubled, my Lord," Lord Oreos noted. "I know just the thing to cheer you up."
Asher glanced at him with mild curiosity.
"I heard you enjoy parties," Oreos continued. "I am hosting a grand celebration tonight to mark my victory. I would be honored if you attended."
Asher was about to decline, but then, his gaze landed on Selena.
He felt disgusted all over again.
"…Fine," he muttered. "I'll go."
"Wonderful," Lord Oreos said with a grin. "The festivities begin at sunrise."
Then lord Oreo's left the room and passed through Selena without a word .
Then Selena entered the room at which Asher was seated, she was respectful yet showed her anger.
"The Asher I know would not be seated in his chair thinking,I know you very well Asher,I know that you can find a way to prove that I am not the puppet of lysar" she concluded but Asher walked away without saying a word to her.
---
As the party raged on, Asher drowned himself in alcohol, one glass after another. His mind was a swirling mess, full of conflicting thoughts.
That's when Prince Marvin approached him.
"Pleasure to meet you," Marvin greeted with a polite smile.
Asher barely spared him a glance.
"Get lost," he snapped, downing another drink. "I'm not in the mood."
Marvin chuckled. "I only wished to introduce myself," he said. "I heard about your battle with Lord Oreos against the valvador's. Quite impressive."
Asher ignored him, his grip tightening around his glass.
The prince smirked. "I also heard about Selena."
Asher's body stiffened.
"What a shame," Marvin continued with a mocking grin. "You must have really liked the original if you're drinking yourself into oblivion over a cheap copy."
CRACK.
The glass in Asher's hand shattered.
BAM!
Before anyone could react, Asher's fist collided with the prince's face, sending him sprawling across the floor.
Gasps echoed through the hall as blood flowed from the prince robust swollen cheeks.
Several guards rushed forward, drawing their swords and pointing them at Asher while others held his two arms firmly.
But the prince held up his hand.
"Stand down," Marvin ordered, wiping the blood from his mouth. "It's alright. I deserved that."
The guards hesitated before stepping back.
Marvin chuckled as he stood up, dusting himself off.
"You have quite the temper," he mused. "But let me give you a piece of advice."
He leaned in closer, lowering his voice.
"Stay away from the Royal Family."
His tone grew dark.
"If you don't, you may find yourself entangled in something far, far bigger than you can handle."
With that, he turned on his heel and walked away, the guards trailing behind him.
Asher remained still, his hands trembling with barely contained rage.
His night of drinking had just turned into something far more dangerous.
A war was brewing.
And this time, it wasn't just against his clone.
It was against the Royal Family.
---