The Reason Why She Can’t Get Married - Chapter 35

Schedule: Tuesday and Friday

Chapter 35

The hunting festival in Peran Forest lasted for a total of four days. Technically, the first day was for arrival and a celebratory dinner, followed by three days of hunting, culminating in the selection of the Hunting Goddess on the final day. Upon arriving at the temporary lodging near Peran Forest, Selena immediately began preparing for the dinner.

“Did they say His Majesty wouldn’t be attending this hunting festival?”

“Originally, that was the plan, but he changed his mind a few days ago. He’s coming.” Lucy, gathering Selena’s chestnut brown hair to braid it down, weaving flowers through it, replied. “So, His Majesty, the Crown Prince, and everyone is coming. Even the Second Prince.”

“Wow, just hearing that makes me feel uncomfortable.”

The Emperor, the Crown Prince, the Prince, and the Princess. It could be said that all the key figures of the royal family were gathered.

‘I need to stay close to the Princess like a shadow, without drawing any attention, and keep a close eye on Sir Dixon.’

Selena, repeating the vow she had made several times on the journey, rose from her seat. Lucy tightened a yellow satin ribbon around her waist. The loose, billowing dress was fitted to her figure. Selena watched as her maid expertly tied a ribbon around her waist, then mumbled, “Hmm, isn’t the ribbon a bit excessive?”

“If you don’t wear at least this much, people will think you’re wearing pajamas,” Lucy retorted sharply. Indeed, the cream-colored dress Selena was wearing was quite simple and understated. Aside from the ribbon at the waist, the only distinctive feature was the frill that ran along the round neckline. Even the jewelry was plain and ordinary, except for the white flowers adorning her hair.

“What do you think, Lucy? I feel like I’m so plain that no one will even notice me.” Selena, wearing gloves that reached her elbows and a thin shawl draped over her forearms, spun around. The hem of the dress, which didn’t even have any lace, lifted slightly before settling back down. Lucy seriously wondered if it was appropriate for her lady to dress so plainly for a gathering of royalty.

“To be honest?”

“Yes.”

“Your attire is truly… truly ordinary. But your face isn’t ordinary, and it’s so ordinary that it might actually make you stand out at the party.”

Selena tilted her head at Lucy’s last remark. “I understand about the face, but what do you mean by being so ordinary that it will make me stand out?”

“All the other ladies will be dressed up, right? But you’re not really dressed up, so I just thought you might stand out more.”

…No, Lucy. Why are you saying such ominous things now? Selena lowered her head to examine her dress. The design was simple, but the fabric was high-quality and the stitching was neat. It was simply not flashy, but it was a dress any noble lady would wear. Though, it didn’t seem like anyone would wear it to a gathering of royalty.

“Come on, Lucy. It’s not that bad. I’m not dressed so poorly that I’ll lose face, am I?”

“That’s true.”

“Then that’s that. Isn’t the dinner starting soon? Let’s go.” Lucy nodded and smoothed out the wrinkled shawl. The two of them headed towards the outdoor dining area set up between the Peran Forest and the lodging.

“I’ll wait outside. Have a good time, my lady. Be careful with your injured hand.”

“Okay, Lucy. See you later.”

After parting ways with Lucy at the arched garden door that served as the entrance, Selena entered alone. As she slowly passed through the rose-covered garden door, the dining area came into view.

‘Wow.’

Selena gasped at the sight of the dining area spread out before her. The space, surrounded by weeping willows in various colors, was dotted with round tables, and colored glass lamps hung between the trees, shining brighter than the setting sun.

Even though it wasn’t a formal dining hall, but a temporary one created for the hunting festival, it was clear that a lot of effort had been put into decorating it.

‘It’s definitely a big deal that His Majesty and the Crown Prince are coming at the same time.’

After all, even she would have decorated it like this if those two were coming. Selena nodded to herself and began to navigate the tables, searching for her seat. Since she had arrived a bit early, there weren’t many people seated yet.

‘Let’s see, where is our family crest…’

The higher the rank of the family, the closer their table was to the front. The Marquess of Irving was considered a noble family, so Selena’s seat was quite far forward.

‘Ah, there it is.’

Selena’s face brightened as she found her seat marked with a handkerchief bearing her family crest. Quickly glancing at the families assigned to the same table, she realized the combination wasn’t bad.

The Duke of Cheshire, her client, and two other Marquess. Including herself, a total of four families were assigned to the table, and there were no uncomfortable relationships between them, which was good.

‘Good, I’ll be able to eat comfortably.’

Selena sat down, exchanging greetings with those she knew among those seated at nearby tables. While she wasn’t particularly close to anyone, she knew many people, a characteristic of Selena Irving, the representative of Serenade.

‘Huh? That person is…,’ Selena thought, turning her head idly in her seat.

A dark figure caught her eye. Black hair, black uniform, a steel mask covering half his face. It was Raymond, the Tower Lord. As always, the badge of the Mage’s Tower was pinned to his chest, stark against his somber black attire.

‘The Tower Lord is attending the Hunting Festival?’

Hunters were forbidden from using magic during the festival, so it was rare for mages to participate. As far as Selena knew, Raymond, like the Tower Lord before him, had never attended the Hunting Festival. Why was he here this time?

“…!”

Selena gasped, her eyes widening in surprise. She had been staring at him without realizing, and their eyes met.

Even from a distance, she could see his golden eyes shining brightly behind the mask, reminding her of the Imperial Ball.

She had accidentally spilled wine on his shirt and received a cold stare.