The Reason Why She Can’t Get Married - Chapter 18

Schedule: Thurs and Sun

Chapter 18

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If things had gone according to her resolution, Selena wouldn’t have had a chance to meet either of her potential suitors. She had even changed her dress to avoid Noel, but ironically, she ran into him head-on at the entrance.

“I didn’t know you were coming to the ball, Lady Irving,” said Noel Ratliffe, with his neatly trimmed blonde hair, smiling as he greeted her. Sometimes, it can be unpleasant to see a handsome face.

“…Hello, Duke.”

“I didn’t expect you to attend the ball. I heard you don’t usually participate in events like this.”

“Well, I’m… usually busy with work, so I can’t attend many events.”

“Well, it seems like you were less busy today. That’s fortunate.”

Selena’s face turned pale, and it seemed that Noel noticed her uneasiness as he approached her with a friendly manner. Due to the arrangement of their entrance, she couldn’t even avoid him. The two of them entered the hall together, and instantly, all eyes were drawn to them.

‘Goodness, even if I wanted to stay quiet, it seems like every passing ant will stare at me!’ Selena thought.

The chandelier lights seemed to shine only on her and the Duke, making Selena’s face even more pale.

Noel, who had been walking beside her with a cheerful smile, slightly lowered his head and asked, “When should I bring your bag?”

“I’ll have someone else bring it to me.”

“I wanted to bring it myself.”

“Why?” Selena wondered why he insisted on creating an opportunity to meet. It wasn’t pleasant at all. Seeing Selena’s face, which had now turned sour, Noel smiled and replied, “Just because.”

“Then please have someone bring it for me. And what do you think about us not sticking together?”

It felt like she had become a target for the aristocratic ladies’ piercing gazes. Noel hesitated for a moment, then looked at Selena, his expression slightly disappointed.

“Hmm, it seems like Lady Irving isn’t very happy to see me.”

“…What?”

“I was genuinely happy to see you today, but it doesn’t seem reciprocated,” he said with a smile.

Taken aback by his unexpected tantrum, Selena was astonished. Would he be happy if he were in her place? She barely managed to suppress the reflexive retort and forced a strained smile as she raised her head. After all, the person she was facing was Noel Ratliffe, the war hero, one of the Empire’s three Dukes, a prominent figure in noble society, and someone who could easily become her husband.

“Well, it’s just that… I just…”

She doesn’t like him because he is her potential killer.

“Just?”

“…Just because I’m busy. I’ve been so busy lately that I don’t even have time to eat.”

It wasn’t a sincere confession from the heart but an excuse dictated by reason, so Noel tilted his head to the side.

“Are you really that busy?”

“Yes, because Serenade is so popular.”

“It must be very difficult and tiring.”

No, it’s not. He was even more difficult and tiring than work. Selena smiled politely and tried to finish the conversation. Now she really wanted to leave the Duke’s side.

“I’ll be leaving now…”

“But do you know that, lady?” Noel cut off Selena’s farewell with a warm look in his eyes.

He was just a gentle and kind person.

“They say that predators get most excited when their prey shows their back and runs away.”

Gentle and kind…

“They don’t just kill painlessly; they get excited and bite off limbs to make it painful.”

Duke…

“Lady looks particularly like a rabbit, so be careful.”

“….”

“It’s disappointing for people to only see your back.”

He was full of it. Seeing him casually talk like this made her seriously doubt his character.

He was like the Crown Prince, who pushed his sword. Noel gently rested his hand on his chest and bowed lightly.

“Since you seem to not want me here, I’ll leave now.”

“….”

“See you next time.”

Noel left like that, and Selena stood leaning against the wall with a dazed face for a while.

‘If I show my back one more time, will he kill me? Is he the culprit after all?’

Someone approached her as she was lost in thought. Fortunately, it wasn’t Noel.

“Oh, lady, can you spare me a moment? I have something to tell you.” It was a noble lady she didn’t know, but Selena nodded kindly.

It happens a lot since she’s the boss of Serenade.

“Yes, tell me.”

“Ah, not here, but over there. I’m not the one who has something to tell you.” The noble lady pointed her finger somewhere.

She saw a woman surrounded by people in the direction her head turned. When their eyes met, she remembered immediately.

The young lady of a county whose face was prominently featured in the newspaper three months ago.

‘She’s the Crown Prince’s fiance, right?’

Chapter 10.1 (19)

Her memory pulled up information about the Crown Prince’s fiancee, Charlotte Flotte.

She was the nth fiancee of the Crown Prince, and it was difficult to keep track because of his frequent engagements and breakups. But what was important was that she was currently engaged to him. Although it seems that they will break up, he will propose to Selena within this year.

“Shall we go, lady?”

“Yes.”

Since it wouldn’t be good for Selena to show her dislike, she obediently followed the noble lady to where Charlotte and her attendants were gathered. It was quite impressive that a single lady was able to gather so many people, but that was because she was the longest-lasting fiancee of the Crown Prince in history.

“Hello, Lady Flotte. Why did you call me?” Selena spoke kindly, while Charlotte and the attendant on either side of her opened their mouths in a haughty voice. “I heard that you are the best love counselor in the empire.”

“Ah, yes. I run a couple matching agency called Serenade, and I often hear such compliments.” Selena had a rather proud expression on her face.

That’s right, she was a top-class love counselor in the Carlton Empire. There were so many people who became love geniuses after receiving counseling from her.

“Then I’ll ask one question. What’s the best way to make someone jealous?”

“Excuse me?”

“Showing affection towards someone of the opposite sex? Or showing interest in someone else in front of them?” Selena blinked. Why would she ask such a pointless question? For a brief moment, the amount of money she earns per hour crossed her mind, and she thought it was not worth asking such a question.

It was just too trivial.

“Well, in my opinion…”

However, Charlotte’s gaze was so desperate for an answer that Selena scratched her cheek and spoke. “Making someone jealous baffles me; it’s probably best not to do it at all.”

“Why?”

“Jealousy is not always a positive emotion. It can be detrimental and unnecessary to a relationship. ” Selena gave her heartfelt advice. It was really top-notch advice.

Some people might take advantage of this situation and do something bad, but Selena wasn’t like that. She was a conscientious and sincere love counselor, despite her high hourly rate. Unfortunately, it seemed that Charlotte didn’t understand her sincerity.

“…Is there a way for you to know if it’s useless or not? Oh well!”

Suddenly her face turned red, and she burst into anger, taking her entourage and leaving quickly. No, why was she getting mad when she asked the question? Selena sighed as she was left alone. Will her position in society plummet even more now?

‘I don’t care much, so I’ll just stay out of it because it’s troublesome.’

As she decided to take a seat, the entrance was bustling. All eyes were focused in that direction.

“The Crown Prince and Second Prince are here!”

With a loud shout, the door opened and a huge, elegant man walked in. His facial features were sharp and distinct under his shining hair. His steps across the red carpet were arrogant and confident.

Crown Prince Maximilian.

The man Selena had been waiting for so long had finally arrived. It was as if he were the main character of this gathering.

‘He’s even more shining today.’

Selena admired his unique face. There was no one in this room that could match this appearance besides Noel Ratliffe.

‘If I had to choose, I would prefer the Duke over the Prince…’

Despite the attention being focused on him, his demeanor was truly that of a prince. He sat at the table before the Second Prince, who had organized the event. The Second Prince didn’t make the mistake of dragging out the greetings for hours like the elders.

He quietly gained Selena’s favor with his brief and clean greeting. What does she say to him now that she has met the prince?

He sat arrogantly with his legs crossed, looking down at the floor below the platform. He seemed to have no intention of coming down to mingle. If she were to go up confidently and try to talk to him, the entire gathering would turn cold.

‘Should I just watch the situation for now?’

The Crown Prince didn’t come to sightsee, after all. He was bound to come down from the stage at some point. Selena decided to wait until then. Read ahead here.