The Reason Why She Can’t Get Married - Chapter 23

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Chapter 23

‘For now, I’ll watch from the side. If it doesn’t seem right, I’ll have to break the princess’s love.’

Selena’s face was resolute.

She had been running Serenade for three years, and while she had helped others find love many times, she had never tried to break it. But for the princess, she felt it was a possibility.

The princess turned out to be gentler and kinder than she had anticipated. Women like her could have a tough time in life if they ended up with the wrong man.

“Sigh, life is so difficult these days,” Selena said, sinking deep into the sofa and letting out a heavy sigh.

The princess’s request, the prince, and even her own future…

Her mind was filled with worries.

“What’s wrong? What else is troubling you?” Lemon asked, sounding concerned.

The moist, chestnut-colored eyes that always seemed to be filled with tears were fixated on her, full of worry.

Selena rested her chin on her hand, which was resting on the armrest of the sofa, and replied, “Well, actually, I met Tower Lord at the ball. But he was a bit strange.”

Jolt!

In an instant, Lemon, who had been sitting up straight, trembled slightly. His eyes suddenly lost focus and began to shake.

“…What happened?”

“It wasn’t great.”

“What do you mean…?”

“Just the way he looked at me. Is it because he has golden eyes?”

Tremble, tremble.

This time, Lemon’s hand holding the teacup trembled as if there were an earthquake.

His usual composed and calm face was nowhere to be seen.

“Actually, I think I caught the Tower Lord’s attention. It was a mistake, but I spilled some alcohol on his shirt.” Selena said with a worried expression, unaware of Lemon’s abnormal reaction.

Lemon fixed his trembling gaze on her and comforted her. “…Surely he wouldn’t get angry about something like that. Please don’t worry too much.”

“You don’t know him, Lemon. I apologized several times, but he just stared at me without saying a word and quickly left, as if he were looking at an ant.”

Selena narrowed her eyes, recalling the moment when she clashed with him once again. It was an accident that happened while holding a glass of alcohol.

“Anyway, I should roughly estimate the cost of the shirt and send it to him. I have a feeling that if I don’t, he’ll retaliate. Doesn’t he seem petty?”

When Selena was about to take a sip of tea…

Clang.

Lemon, who had been shaking his hand since earlier, dropped the teacup on the floor.

“Lemon, are you okay?!”

“I-I’m sorry.”

Startled, Selena focused more on Lemon, who seemed to be in worse condition than the broken cup.

For some time now, Lemon’s complexion has been incredibly pale.

“Are you really okay? Does something hurt?”

“No, I’m fine. I’m sorry, Ms. Selena.”

“It’s just a teacup. But really, is anything hurting you?” Lemon slowly raised his head with a face that seemed like he could collapse at any moment. He looked like someone who had received a significant shock. Why was he suddenly acting like this?

“I’m sorry, but I think I should go now.”

“Oh, um. Go ahead. Go and rest, Lemon.”

“Yes, Ms. Selena. I apologize once again.”

“It’s really okay. I have ten teacups like that!” Selena patted Lemon’s shoulder as if to encourage him. But Lemon, with eyes that seemed on the verge of tears, kept apologizing and quickly turned away.

Worried, Selena watched his weak figure.

Why did he suddenly act like that? All she did was ask for his opinion on the prince’s words and criticize the Tower Lord. She couldn’t understand his strange behavior at all.

* * *

Lemon had been silent without any contact for several days. Selena was worried because the last time she saw him, he looked extremely down. But soon she realized that she should be worried about her own future instead.

“Hello, lady. I came to see you, as I said before.” Noel Ratliffe, who was known for keeping his word, barged into the office without any notice.

“So this is your office. It’s decorated so pleasantly and endearingly.”

Noel looked around the office with a curious expression. As a couple matching agency, the overall interior decoration was bright and refreshing. It had a soft and fluffy atmosphere, as if one should fall in love immediately.

Noel smiled softly as he noticed cute decorations scattered throughout the place.

“There’s a heart doll here too.”

“….”

“Hmm, is this a statue of a lover?” Selena’s face flushed, even though he was like the statue himself, dressed in a perfectly fitting navy suit.

Anyone would think he was invited, but she never invited him. However, Noel was the Duke of Ratliffe, a giant figure who easily overpowered someone like Selena, the daughter of the Marquess Irving. Reluctantly, Selena had no choice but to invite Noel to sit on the sofa and ask him if he wanted tea brought.

“Have you been well?”

“Ah, yes. What brings you here…?”

“I said I would bring your bag.”

Right, that damn bag. Noel finally returned Selena’s white bag, which she had been trying to retrieve with the help of maids several times.

It was not a welcoming sight to see the bag she cherished, even though it was returned.

“You didn’t leave the bag behind so that I’d give it back to you, did you?”

“Ah, no.”

“Your expression seems a bit off.”

My expression is off because of you…

Selena forced a smile, swallowing the words she couldn’t bring herself to say.

“Thank you for finding my bag, Duke. You must be busy, so please go back soon.”

She politely gestured to the door, indicating that he should leave her office. However, Noel remained nonchalant, sipping his tea.

“The tea tastes good.”

“Really? I can prepare some for you to take home and enjoy.”

“It’s okay. It’s nice here, like in my own abode. The sofa here is so comfortable.” Lucy, who had brought dessert as a formality, admired their conversation.

It was like a battle between a mighty spear and an impenetrable shield. However, the shield is stronger now.

“You served me tea, so I can’t leave early. It’s not polite.”

“You don’t have to be so polite to me.”

“Haha, I still can’t.”

Selena finally gave up and thought, Does one have to be this stubborn to commit the insane act of killing his bride on their wedding day?

Read ahead here.