The Reason Why She Can’t Get Married - Chapter 11

Schedule: Thurs and Sun

Chapter 11

After her encounter with Maximilian, Selena pondered the excuse she could use to refuse the princess’ request.

She wondered what she could say that wouldn’t anger or hurt the princess. She regretted not seizing the opportunity when Gabriella gave her a chance to decline. If she had simply walked away at that time, she wouldn’t be facing this situation now.

“Lucy, what should I do?” Selena exclaimed, sprawling on the desk in frustration.

Lucy pushed up her glasses, something that she only wore when working, and advised her, “Miss, you need to act like an adult. Let’s think of a way to prevent someone’s life from fading away like a powerless flame.”

Selena straightened up and looked at Lucy. With her arms crossed, Lucy immersed herself in thought, trying to figure out how to save Selena from this crisis. After contemplating for a while, Lucy opened her mouth with a sudden realization on her face.

“What if you tell her that you couldn’t accept it because you also like Sir Dixon?”

Selena responded, “…me liking him all of a sudden?”

Lucy replied, “Isn’t that how love usually happens?”

While that may be true, it was still difficult for Selena to admit that she liked someone whom the princess also favored. There was a chance that before Prince Maximilian could step in, Gabriella’s henchman might strangle her. Selena’s spine shivered at the thought, and she quickly raised her head.

“That might end with me dying suddenly as well. Let’s consider another option.”

“Hmm, how about just being honest?” Lucy suggested.

Selena replied, “Prince Maximilian explicitly told me not to mention him.”

Remembering Maximilian, who had a personality inversely proportional to his appearance, Selena furrowed her brow. Judging by his temperament, if she slipped up and mentioned him in front of the princess, he might actually kill her.

“Then how about leaving out that part and saying you’re reconsidering? Maybe it’s too burdensome after all?”

Selena sighed. “I guess I have no choice.”

Although it bothered her that she had initially said it was okay, only to change her mind, in the first place, rejecting the request was a change of heart itself.

Accepting the inevitable, Selena nodded her head. That was what she would say. And for the time being, she would quietly stay out of the princess’ sight.

“Lucy, could you find out which flowers the princess likes?”

“Yes, my lady.”

Feeling apologetic, Selena prepared a gift and wrote a letter to the princess. She had something to say and requested a meeting.

* * *

A few days later, in the Imperial Palace, Selena nervously clutched the bouquet of flowers in her arms as she stepped into the Princess’ palace for the second time in her life. She had spent the entire night simulating what she would say to the Princess in her mind.

‘I’m sorry, Your Highness. I’m actually not well-connected in social circles, and I made mistakes in handling affairs, which could jeopardize the family’s business and have me all alone on the streets in my old age,’ she thought. Perhaps if she said something like that, the Princess would understand. Despite staying up all night, Selena marched confidently towards the Princess’ reception room.

“I’m here, Your Highness,” Selena said as she entered.

“Selena, my dear, it’s a pleasure to see you,” Gabriella greeted her, sitting there like a painting come to life. Her expression seemed a bit more relaxed compared to their previous encounter.

“What’s in your hand?” Gabriella asked.

“It’s a gift for you, Your Highness.”

“Oh, my, it’s baby breath that I love.” Gabriella accepted the bouquet with a joyful expression. It was surprising to see a stunning beauty like her, who could have any jewelry made of precious gems, be so delighted with a simple baby breath. But as she smiled while inhaling its fragrance, it somehow suited her.

“You really surprised me,” Gabriella said, admiring the bouquet for a while before gently placing the baby breath on her lap.

She spoke with a shy expression. “What is it?”

“Your Highness, I wanted to meet you first, and I even brought this gift…” Selena began, preparing to decline Gabriella’s request. But for some reason, her conscience pricked at her. Caught between a rock and a hard place, she tried convincing herself that Her Highness’s actions weren’t something worth being deeply moved by. However, Gabriella, who still didn’t know the circumstances, firmly grasped Selena’s hand.

“Y-Your… Your Highness?”

“We are friends,” Gabriella said.

“Yes…?”

Selena blinked her eyes in confusion. What does the Princess mean by that…? Gabriella wore a serious expression as she continued, “No one has shown me such sincerity as you have before. I was truly touched, Selena.”

“Well, that’s…” Selena began, but Gabriella’s expression turned gloomy.

“In the first place, you’re the first person to genuinely listen to my unrequited love story. My father doesn’t care, and I don’t have any close friends either.” Noble ladies surrounded Gabriella. Selena recalled the image from before, revisualizing her proud posture and a cold, icy princess-like demeanor. She thought that was just how Gabriella appeared because those around her were not genuine friends. But now she was revealing her true self to Selena without any pretense.

“Whenever I brought up any topic, everyone would be busy searching for any opportunities that might benefit them. Only you, Selena, empathized with my story.”

“That’s… our principle in ‘Serenade’…”

“I don’t think there’s anything like giving a bouquet according to that principle.”

Maybe not…? Because that bouquet was a bouquet of refusal… she should quickly apologize and refuse the request, but when she saw Gabriella holding her hand tightly with sparkling eyes, she couldn’t say a word. If she says that the princess misunderstood here and that she brought the bouquet to refuse, then she would really become a psychopath, wouldn’t she…?

Selena’s lips trembled. While her lips opened and closed slightly, Gabriella ordered the maid to put the flower in a vase.

“Lady Irving, actually, I also have something to say to you.”

“What is it…?” Read ahead here.