The Reason Why She Can’t Get Married - Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Maximilian ordered in a low voice.

‘Was that meant for me…?’ She desperately hoped she had misheard, but Maximilian’s tone left no room for doubt.

“I can see your dress.”

“…I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to eavesdrop,” Selena mumbled, emerging hesitantly from behind the pillar. She didn’t intentionally eavesdrop on their conversation.

If one were to scrutinize the sequence of events, she had arrived here first… She had even drawn the curtains upon realizing someone was present…

Feeling a sense of injustice, Selena gazed back at Maximilian, whose eyebrows twitched as he grumbled, almost snarling, “Do you take me for a fool?”

“No, I didn’t mean to listen intentionally…” Selena raised her head, perplexed. What could he be so upset about, apart from that?

Maximilian, leaning against the railing, stared at Selena with an irked expression. “The princess’s request.”

“…Ah.”

“I distinctly told you to refuse it. So why haven’t I heard that you’ve refused?” Selena couldn’t refuse.

That’s why… she had come all this way to discuss matters related to this. Straightening her posture, Selena stood tall, her hands placed gently on her chest, as the soft, cool night breeze brushed against her face.

She lowered her head and spoke, “I’m sorry, but I cannot refuse the princess’s request.”

“Do you have such little regard for your life?” Maximilian’s lips curled, his voice dripping with sarcasm. Yet his sharp gaze remained motionless, a stark contrast to his mocking demeanor.

A shiver ran down Selena’s spine at the incongruity, prompting her to extend both hands forward, as if attempting to placate a ferocious beast.

She moved them up and down, a gesture akin to that of an animal trainer.

“P-Please, calm down, Your Highness.”

“What on earth are you doing?”

“Let us resolve this through dialogue. Please hear me out first.”

‘I have a voice too. I also have something to say!’

Selena ardently pleaded, swallowing her parched throat. Maximilian let out a hollow laugh, folding his arms across his chest and assuming an air of nonchalance.

“Very well, go ahead.”

Seizing the chance to speak, Selena swiftly opened her mouth. “Your Highness, the princess genuinely cares for Sir Dixon. If I were to refuse her request, it would deeply wound her heart.”

Selena implored, clasping her hands together. As a brother who genuinely cherished his younger sister, he couldn’t easily dismiss such words.

Maximilian, with an indifferent gaze, regarded Selena and uttered, “So what?”

“…What do you mean?”

“If she’s going to love someone so inconsequentially, she should be prepared for the consequences that come with it, shouldn’t she?”

Something was amiss. This wasn’t how it was supposed to be… His unexpected response sent shockwaves to Selena, who sought to persuade the Crown Prince through his affection for the Princess.

“Is it alright if the princess gets hurt?” His response, colder than the winter wind, left Selena’s mouth hanging open.

For a moment, when she had only heard Gabriella’s words, they seemed like those of affectionate siblings. But now, the tone of his speech hinted at something entirely different.

‘What’s going on? Wasn’t he opposing it for the sake of the princess? Why does he appear so unconcerned about her…?’

It wasn’t just a matter of indifference; it felt as if he had no interest whatsoever in the wounds the princess would inevitably suffer.

Selena, with her eyes quivering, cautiously posed her question to the impeccably handsome face before her.

“Your Highness, can I ask why you oppose the relationship between the princess and Dixon? Isn’t it her own choice and responsibility?”

Except for the possibility of sibling affection, why would Maximilian go to such lengths to oppose it?

Inquisitively, Selena scrutinized Maximilian. Standing under the moonlight, he exuded an air of refinement and arrogance. He appeared to have no interest whatsoever in other people’s love affairs…

“Dominique Dixon is not a man who will be of any benefit to me.”

“….”

“There is nothing to gain from Gabriella’s marriage to him.” Maximilian’s voice flowed smoothly, entirely pragmatic and self-centered. There was no trace of any concern for the princess in his words.

“So… Your Highness, you opposed it because it didn’t benefit you?”

Forget about it being for the sake of the princess. He opposed it solely for his own sake. What kind of older brother was he?

Suddenly, her belief in Maximilian waned, leaving Selena feeling a profound sense of pity. Recalling Gabriella’s gentle laughter, Selena bit her lower lip.

‘If that’s the reason, I cannot abandon the request.’

Through ‘Serenade’, she had triumphed over her family’s opposition and witnessed countless couples living harmoniously. Just because she was a princess, there’s no way she couldn’t help her.

Anyway, she refused to lose to Maximilian in such a manner.

‘…Wait, marriage?’

In a flash, Selena realized that Maximilian had been opposing marriage all along. Yet Gabriella had sought assistance solely in dating him.

‘This is it!’

Selena’s eyes glistened as she addressed the nonchalant countenance of the aloof crown prince. Read ahead here.