The Reason Why She Can’t Get Married - Chapter 40

Schedule: Thurs and Sun

Chapter 40

‘That works out well. I was hoping to see Her Highness anyway.’

Selena, who had been thinking of visiting Gabriella anyway, nodded gracefully. “I will attend. What time should I arrive?”

“Please come to Her Highness’s tent whenever you are ready.”

“Very well.”

“Then I will take my leave.” After Anna politely excused herself, Selena immediately began preparing to leave for the Princess’s tea party.

“I look presentable like this, right? Lucy, is anything amiss?” Today, Selena was modestly dressed once more. She wore a simple, light blue dress without a single embroidery and had her hair braided down her back. Her only jewelry was a pair of small, flower-shaped earrings and a thin silver necklace. Even so, rather than appearing plain, her face made her look elegant and innocent.

“No, my lady. I think it’s perfectly fine.”

“Good, let’s go.” Selena exited her tent with light steps.

Gabriella’s tent was located near the center. Perhaps because she was the highest-ranking woman at this year’s hunting festival, it was noticeably large and extravagant even from afar. Knights guarding the tent were lined up near the entrance.

‘Wow.’

Entering the tent, Selena marveled at the interior, which was decorated like the drawing-room of a fine manor.

‘To think that they could decorate a temporary space made of cloth in such a way.’

“Lady Irving! You’re here!” Gabriella, who was sitting at the head of the table surrounded by noblewomen, saw Selena and raised her hand in greeting, seemingly delighted. Selena approached the tea table and offered her greetings first.

“Selena Irving greets Her Highness. Thank you for the invitation.”

“Don’t mention it. Come, sit here.” Gabriella patted the empty seat next to her.

About to head that way without a second thought, Selena stopped. The seat Gabriella had deliberately emptied for her was none other than the one to her right. Usually, the seat to the right was given to the person held in highest regard. Offering such a seat to Selena meant that Gabriella thought of her quite fondly. At the same time, it meant that Selena had taken the seat beside the Princess, surpassing all the other noblewomen who admired her.

‘No wonder everyone’s been giving me these looks.’

Selena, who had felt the envious gazes since entering the tent, sat down, pretending not to notice. She then looked around at the other noblewomen with a gentle smile.

‘Now then, ladies. Feast your eyes upon my pure and innocent smile. Let’s all get along, shall we?’

While trying her best to appear as harmless as possible to avoid unnecessary hostility, she could feel one particular noblewoman glaring daggers at her. Selena turned her head towards the source of the gaze. There, she found a strangely familiar face.

‘The one who was giving me the same fierce look at the banquet yesterday—’

‘Wait, why is Lady Flotte here?’

Charlotte Flotte, the Crown Prince’s former fiancée, was glaring at her. Judging by her hostile gaze, it was clear that she had definitely misunderstood something yesterday.

‘What in the…’

‘Why is the ex-fiancé of her older brother even at this tea party? No, why did Her Highness invite her in the first place?’

Unable to comprehend the situation, Selena decided to calmly ignore Charlotte’s stare for the time being.

‘What’s with that look, anyway? It’s not like she can fight me with her eyes.’

“We were just talking about the Goddess of the Hunt. Lady Irving, who do you think will be crowned this year?”

“Well, naturally, Her Highne—”

“Lady Irving, of course. She’ll be this year’s Goddess of the Hunt.” Gabriella cut Selena off with a bright smile as she lifted her teacup. Her face was as innocent as ever, leaving Selena speechless. Charlotte seized the opportunity to interject.

“Oh my, I had no idea Lady Irving was aiming for the title of Goddess of the Hunt this year. I naturally assumed it would be Her Highness.”

“No, I also…”

“Her Highness is the only one deserving of being called a goddess among this year’s attendees. Don’t you all agree?” At Charlotte’s question, everyone nodded in unison, as if rehearsed. In an instant, Selena found herself painted as the villain who dared to covet the title of Goddess of the Hunt over Gabriella.

“Well, I’ve heard that some people, driven by their greed and lacking in humility, often covet positions beyond their station,” Charlotte added quickly, as if for everyone to hear. “Oh, I’m not saying that Lady Irving is like that, of course. You understand, right?”

‘Understand what? It’s obvious you’re talking about me.’

Selena swallowed the words that were rising in her throat. As much as she wanted to retaliate, she was acutely aware of Gabriella sitting right beside her.

‘Just endure it, Selena, just endure it…’

She couldn’t afford to make a scene at the Princess’s tea party. Taking a deep breath, she composed herself and put on a serene expression.

“Indeed, Lady Flotte. I also believe Her Highness will be crowned Goddess of the Hunt this year.”

“But you just said you wanted to be the Goddess of the Hunt yourself?”

“With Her Highness present? How could I? I’ve never been particularly interested in such things.” Selena drew a clear line with a polite smile. Fortunately, Gabriella seemed to have picked up on the tense atmosphere and refrained from interjecting with “Lady Irving is the Goddess of the Hunt” this time.

Charlotte, too, seemed to realize pushing any further would appear excessive and decided not to nitpick any further. Selena desperately hoped the tea party would continue peacefully from this point forward.

However, her wish was not granted.

“Your Highness, His Majesty requests your presence.”

“Ah, very well. My apologies, ladies. I’ll be back shortly.” A handmaid, arriving with the Emperor’s summons, escorted Gabriella out of the tent. This left Selena and the noblewomen alone.

‘The Princess’s tent without the Princess…’

Selena let out a hollow laugh as she lifted her teacup to her lips. This felt like a stage deliberately set for them to tear each other apart.

Just as she predicted, a noblewoman, her chin held high, spoke in a haughty tone. “Lady Irving, I have a question for you.”

“Don’t even bother.”

“…Excuse me?”