The Reason Why She Can’t Get Married - Chapter 41

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Chapter 41

The unexpected response startled the noblewoman. Selena, on the other hand, remained calm, having instinctively sensed that the question wouldn’t be pleasant. “Just because someone has a question doesn’t mean I’m obligated to answer it.”

“Oh, but… I’m about to ask something very important.”

“Then come find me later and ask. That is, unless you’ve all conspired to have one representative question me.”

“….!” As if struck a nerve, the noblewomen flinched in unison. They exchanged hurried glances amongst themselves, and then the one seated diagonally across from Selena spoke.

“Alright, we admit it. We were all curious and decided to ask you.”

“I see. Even so, I won’t answer your question.” Selena’s response was firm and unwavering.

However, the noblewoman across from her continued, undeterred. “Let me be blunt. Lady Irving, what is your relationship with His Highness, the Crown Prince?”

Selena sighed. Despite her clear refusal to entertain such inquiries, the question she’d been dreading had been voiced.

“We’re not involved in any way.” She spoke the absolute truth. She had no desire for any kind of relationship with the Crown Prince.

However, her answer was met with a sarcastic retort, as if they believed she was hiding something. “Why so coy? We all saw you engaged in an intimate conversation with His Highness at the banquet yesterday.”

“Now that Her Highness is gone, why don’t you be honest with us? When and how did you two become close?”

Selena felt a surge of frustration as they bombarded her with pointed, accusatory questions.

‘They have no idea I was being threatened at that moment. To them, it probably looked like a cozy little chat…’ Her blood pressure spiked, and she felt a tightness in her chest.

“You seem to be seriously mistaken. I’m not close to His Highness at all.” Selena attempted to clarify, striving to maintain her composure.

“You are close.”

“We are not.”

“You certainly seemed it.”

“You saw wrong.”

“Then explain why you two were whispering to each other right in front of me yesterday.” Charlotte interjected sharply, inserting herself into the heated exchange. Her gaze could have killed Selena a hundred times over if looks could kill.

Selena stared back at Charlotte, bewildered. “I never whispered to him for my benefit. Our conversation was merely about Her Highness.”

“Lies! Are you saying His Highness is interested in you and you’re just using the Princess as an excuse?” Charlotte shot back, her voice laced with accusation.

Selena frowned. Being painted as someone who would use the Princess to get close to the Crown Prince was infuriating.

“The other ladies are being considerate of my recent separation and refraining from approaching His Highness. I can’t believe you would be so forward, knowing my situation. Is that truly what you want?” Charlotte was practically on the verge of tears now, her voice trembling with emotion.

Selena, massaging her temples, spoke with forced calmness. “Lady Flotte, please calm down and think rationally. Did I truly seem that close with His Highness yesterday?”

She looked at Charlotte with a glimmer of hope, silently pleading for her to recall the fear that had been etched on her face due to Maximilian’s threats.

Charlotte hesitated, appearing to contemplate for a moment, before uttering a preposterous response. “Yes, you seemed very close.” As if that wasn’t absurd enough, she suddenly jumped to her feet, tears welling up, and exclaimed, “He even tried to kiss your forehead at the end!”

“What in the world are you talking about?!” Selena exclaimed, equally startled by the outrageous claim, and shot to her feet.

‘She’s about to turn me into a bride murdered on her wedding day, for goodness sake! Does she even realize?’

It was true that Maximilian had leaned down towards her at the end, but it was a thinly veiled threat, not a romantic gesture.

‘Who in their right mind would think it was a forehead kiss?’

‘That’s it. I can’t take it anymore.’

If she let this slide for the sake of keeping the peace, these noblewomen would undoubtedly spread ridiculous rumors. It was time to set the record straight—about their misconceptions and Charlotte’s behavior.

Fixing her gaze on the still-fuming Charlotte, Selena spoke in a flat tone. “Lady Flotte, do you realize how utterly pathetic you’re being?”

“…W-What are you talking about?”

“You’re being truly pathetic. Picking on someone who’s already suffering because of your ex-fiancé.”

Charlotte’s face flushed crimson at the blunt statement. Shame and anger warred for dominance in her expression. “How dare…!”

“Even if I were close to the Crown Prince, how does that concern you?” Selena cut Charlotte off, her voice ice-cold.