The Reason Why She Can’t Get Married - Chapter 2

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Chapter 2

As the case opened, a diamond ring that emitted a dazzling light came into view. Selena’s spine shivered as she saw the brilliant ring. Wait, isn’t this…? Is this what she had been thinking of…?

‘Please, don’t let it be that,’ Selena silently pleaded, trying to deny the reality before her. However, Maximilian confidently extended the ring toward her.

“Selena Irving, even my parents will kneel at your feet. Marry me.” He arrogantly said. His silver hair shone as brightly as the ring in his hand.

Selena, her mind turning blank, unconsciously turned her head to the side. Then it was Raymond’s turn. From within his robe with golden embroidery, he took out a case. Inside was a ring made of yellow sapphire. Raymond took the ring out and knelt down, offering it to Selena.

“Selena, I promise to ensure not a drop of blood stains your hand. Please marry me.”

Hearing the back-to-back proposals, Selena’s mouth hung open, speechless.

Haha, what kind of nonsense is everyone saying now? Is this a joke? Did they want to tease her?

As a sense of denial engulfed Selena, she was stopped in her tracks by Noel, who had taken out a ring case next.

“Lady Irving, I ask you in the name of the Duke of Ratliffe.”

“….”

“If you want, I can become your blade, ready to bear whatever burden. Will you marry me?”

Noel extended a ring made of emeralds. At this point, Selena deliberated between biting her tongue and dying or falling backward, hoping to hit her head and lose consciousness.

“You’ve got to be kidding me, right…?” Her neck ached from the constant head-shaking, and now she was faced with the final blow as Noel presented the ring case.

‘T-this situation is like facing a trap again….’

Tears immediately welled up. The daunting question of who to choose among the top three desired grooms that the unmarried women of the Empire coveted now confronted her.

A blond Duke resembling a fairytale prince, a silver-haired prince so ethereal he could be mistaken for a statue come to life, and a raven-haired Tower Lord whose beauty blurred the lines of gender. Despite having three bouquets of flowers thrust into her hands, she wasn’t pleased by a single one of them.

‘My life’s a mess once again.’

Because among these three, there was definitely one who would kill her if she married him.

* * *

Love stories are truly fascinating. To the extent that Selena would skim through texts, searching only for the love stories of princes and princesses. She was a serious addict of romance tales.

She even pestered her mother multiple times to share stories of her parents’ courtship. As she grew older, she positioned herself as a counselor for her friends’ love lives, displaying immense interest in the romantic entanglements of others.

She had one steadfast rule: She didn’t bother with failed love stories. The ending had to be a guaranteed happily ever after! If a friend’s crush didn’t pan out as planned, she pretended it never happened. Then, she orchestrated events to make sure they worked out, ensuring a seamless continuation.

Because love stories without a happy ending were just too sad to be enjoyable. They merely tore at the heart, causing pain. As an adult, Selena leveraged her talents and started a business that catered to her inclinations. Her venture involved matchmaking for unmarried people, helping them find their partners. Thus, the Empire’s first exclusive matchmaking agency, ‘Serenade’, was established.

“Whatever you do, lady, I will be with you until the end of my days.” Lucy, her loyal maid, pledged eternal loyalty.

“I-I will do my utmost to serve you, Boss!”

After officially hiring Randy through a public announcement, Selena kept herself busy intervening in other people’s love stories. The results were remarkable.

[I had a friend I secretly loved for 15 years, but he never saw me as a woman, so I had given up halfway. Finally, I closed my eyes and requested ‘Serenade’, and guess what? It turns out the guy has liked me for 15 years too! Thanks to ‘Serenade’, which put an end to my long and winding journey, that guy is now lying next to me. Thank you so much. I should probably wake him up to see our baby.]

[Height over 180cm, no drinking, no drugs, non-violent pacifist, must love cats, minimum rank of Viscount. Those were my criteria for an arranged marriage partner. People around me said I was too demanding and that I wouldn’t find anyone, but ‘Serenade’ found me the perfect husband who met all these conditions. They even helped us fall in love. So, don’t settle for compromise in arranged marriages; consult ‘Serenade’ and marry someone genuinely suitable.]

[They made me realize my true love, something I didn’t even know of. Though my partner is a man too, it doesn’t matter! I am so happy right now. The Emperor even promised to come and give a toast when we get married in Mayday Empire, where same-sex marriage is legal!]

In the past four years, Selena has matched over 200 couples, resulting in more than 500 marriages. She became the Empire’s most successful cupid with a 100% success rate. Even remote nobles gathered resources to request her services. However, she couldn’t keep devoting herself to others’ love forever.

“You’re here already? I still can’t believe today is our wedding day.”

The twenty-two-year-old Selena had flawlessly succeeded in her own love story. Dressed in a pure white gown in the bride’s waiting room, adorned with various flowers, she smiled brightly and said, “I’ve received gratitude letters for helping people get married, but now that I’m getting married myself, it feels quite different.”

Holding her bouquet and casting a shy smile, Selena turned to her husband. In that moment, her husband’s gloved hand reached out swiftly. Suddenly, his grip on her neck tightened.

Struggling, Selena dropped the bouquet to the floor. As her consciousness faded, amid the roaring growls that echoed like a wild beast, a sinister whisper reached her ears, “If we happen to meet again and get married, I’ll kill you once more.”

On Selena’s wedding day, her husband murdered her. Read ahead here.