The Reason Why She Can’t Get Married - Chapter 37

Schedule: Tuesday and Friday

Chapter 37

“Really? You mean you can’t tell just by looking? Whether he’s a good man or a bad man?”

Selena pondered for a moment before nodding. “Of course, I can’t tell from just one glance. I think I get a feel for it after about five times.”

“Hmm, five times…” Maximilian stroked his chin, lost in thought.

Selena discreetly admired his ice sculpture-like face. He was truly handsome.

‘But what is this stinging sensation…?’

Though she was the one staring at Maximilian, her cheek felt a familiar tingling sensation. Selena turned her head towards it without thinking, then stopped abruptly.

Charlotte Flotte was glaring at her with fire in her eyes, as if she wanted to kill her. Selena was taken aback by the expression, which was clearly laced with jealousy.

“Lady, no…”

“Whatever. Anyway, if you’ve changed your mind, just make sure those two don’t get together.”

Maximilian, cutting off Selena’s attempt to explain to Charlotte, stood up and leaned over the table. Selena froze as his handsome face came close.

“If Dominic and Gabriella end up together,”

“….”

“Just know that it’ll be your fault.”

“…!?”

What an unfair statement. Ignoring Selena’s indignant gaze, Maximilian straightened up and turned away abruptly.

Selena watched his tall figure disappear, again without a word, and finally snapped out of her daze. She needed to explain to Lady Flotte…!

‘―But it seems too late.’

Charlotte was already whispering to the lady beside her, turning her back on Selena. It was clear that she was gossiping about Selena and Maximilian, misunderstanding their relationship. Selena stared at her helplessly, then sighed and straightened her posture.

‘The arduous life of Selena Irving….’

As she sat there with a gloomy expression, people began to take their seats one by one. The news of the Crown Prince’s early arrival had spread, and everyone was in a hurry. As most of the seats were filled, the Prince and Princess entered the banquet hall in turn.

“His Highness, Prince Louis, has arrived!”

“Her Highness, Princess Gabriella, has arrived!”

Gabriella, elegant and graceful as she entered, gave Selena a friendly smile as she passed by her table. Selena bowed her head slightly in return. Only one person remained.

“His Majesty, the Emperor, has arrived!”

Everyone stood up and bowed their heads at the Emperor’s arrival. Joseph, the Emperor of the Carlton Empire, was a handsome man with a fine physique, with golden hair that verged on brown and red eyes. It was easy to see where his children got their good looks.

He sat on the dais, on the seat of honor, with a leisurely and dignified gait, and commanded in a deep voice, “Everyone, take your seats.”

Everyone sat down silently. The next step was the toast for the banquet. Everyone was waiting for the Emperor’s greeting, but it was Maximilian who stood up and spoke, “I will deliver the toast for this banquet in place of His Majesty, the Emperor.”

As if they had agreed beforehand, the Emperor nodded. Maximilian raised his wine glass and addressed the audience slowly.

“The Carlton Empire’s hunting festival is like a sacred ritual to offer a sacrifice to Andrea, the goddess of abundance and blessings. Therefore, everyone should approach it with a reverent and holy attitude.”

His eyes, even redder than the wine, quickly and sharply scanned the people. He smiled enigmatically. “Refrain from hunting that might incur the wrath of the goddess.” Maximilian raised his glass high. “Cheers.”

“Cheers―!” The people raised their glasses high and echoed him.

After the toast, the banquet began in earnest. The maids and servants diligently served the food. Selena chatted with the people at her table while cutting a well-done steak with her knife.

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen you at the hunting festival, Lady Irving. What happened to your arm?” Lady Cheshire, once a valued customer of <Serenade>, spoke warmly.

“Oh, I tripped and fell.”

“Oh dear, that must have hurt. You injured your right arm, but it’s okay to come to the hunting festival?”

“It’s fine. Actually, this is my first time at the hunting festival in the Peran Forest, so I was curious.”

“Oh, really?” Usually, the hunting festival was held in the forests of the west, south, and east, taking turns each year, excluding the north. The northern forests were mostly snow-capped mountains, making hunting difficult, so they were excluded.

Selena, who had a low attendance rate at the hunting festival, had last attended the one held in the Greg Forest in the east, two years ago.

“The Peran Forest is much better equipped than other places. That’s why His Majesty, the Emperor, and other members of the Imperial Family have a particularly high attendance rate at the southern hunting festival.”

“Ah, I see.”

Thank you for the information, lady.

‘I’m never going to the southern hunting festival again.’

Selena chewed on the meat she had painstakingly cut with her injured hand, vowing to herself that this would be the last hunting festival of her life. Hmm, delicious. It was incredibly delicious, probably because the Imperial chef had come along. Everyone, including Selena, was enjoying the food immensely, when suddenly the servant guarding the entrance shouted.

“Duke Noel Ratliffe has arrived!”

…Now? Suddenly? Selena’s eyes widened and she turned her head. Come to think of it, she hadn’t seen the Duke at the banquet. She had been so shocked to meet Raymond and Maximilian that she hadn’t realized it.