The Reason Why She Can’t Get Married - Chapter 45

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Chapter 45

Selena, despite her athleticism, held no interest in hunting, and Gabriella possessed neither the inclination nor the skill. Consequently, even in a beginner-friendly hunting ground, their progress was less than stellar. Furthermore, every attempt by Dominique to instruct Gabriella in archery—“Your Highness, hold the bow like this…” or “Feet shoulder-width apart, and use only these three fingers for the draw”—was met with Selena’s seemingly oblivious interjections.

The result was a palpable tension, Dominique’s strained smile doing little to lighten the mood. “Hunting is so much fun! It’s been ages. The three of us get along so well, don’t you think?”

Gabriella, blissfully unaware of the underlying friction, beamed. Between her and her cheerful obliviousness, Selena and Dominique engaged in a silent, heated staring contest. “Lady Irving, you move remarkably well for someone injured and in a dress.”

“Why, thank you. I thought you’d forgotten I was here.” Though veiled by the presence of the princess, their barbed comments betrayed their mutual animosity. “Perhaps Sir Dixon is finding this tedious. You mentioned how much you enjoy the hunt.”

Gabriella, having just missed a bird and hit a tree instead, spoke with a crestfallen expression. Dominique, ever the gracious gentleman in her presence, shook his head. “Not at all. I prefer being here with Her Highness.”

“As do I, Sir Dixon.”
“Indeed… Lady Irving.” Selena ignored what sounded suspiciously like teeth grinding.

‘Serves him right for pretending there are only two of them when there are clearly three.’

Gabriella, entirely oblivious to the subtle power struggle, spoke again. “Why don’t you go hunt further in the woods while we rest?”

“Are you sure, Your Highness? You have no escort.” Gabriella, eager for a three-person hunting party, had left their guards at the edge of the woods. Dominique was now her sole protector.

Unconcerned, Gabriella replied, “It’s fine. This is a beginner’s area; there are no dangerous animals. If anything happens, we can just run back to the entrance. Go on.”

“But…” Selena glanced between a hesitant Dominique and a well-meaning Gabriella, already waving him off.

‘Leaving just the two of us alone in the woods? With the princess, no less?’ She was about to signal Dominique to refuse when he said, “Very well, I’ll be back shortly.”

He acquiesced, disappearing into the trees. Selena sighed, watching him go.

‘He actually went. How much can he possibly love hunting?’

‘Definitely the type of man to avoid.’

“Shall we sit here for a while, Lady Irving?” Gabriella asked.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

They settled onto a flat rock, spreading handkerchiefs beneath them. Despite everything, the exercise and fresh air were invigorating.

Selena, glancing at Gabriella’s unusually bright smile, thought to herself, ‘I’ll have to find a way to ditch Dixon and leave with just the two of us.’

She was plotting Dominique’s abandonment when a rustling sound from the bushes startled them. Gabriella’s eyes widened, and Selena instinctively turned to look, then back at the bushes.

‘A squirrel, maybe?’ A similar sound earlier had been caused by a squirrel. But this time, it wasn’t a cute, furry creature that emerged from the foliage.

It was a group of men, faces hidden by dark masks.

“L-Lady Irving…!” Gabriella clutched Selena’s arm in fear. Selena shielded her, glaring at the men.

“Who are you?” Silence. “If you’re lost, I suggest you leave now.”

She deepened her voice, projecting an air of authority. They were outnumbered, and she couldn’t afford to appear weak. But the men showed no sign of retreating. They advanced silently, closing in.

‘Damn it, who are these guys? And what do they want?’

The danger Selena had anticipated was a wolf or a bear, not masked men. Backing away slowly, she assessed the situation. Her bow and quiver lay beside the rock, Gabriella’s on the opposite side.

Fortunately, the men weren’t completely surrounding them. Escape might be possible. But… ‘The princess is terrified.’

Gabriella was frozen, pale and trembling. Selena bit her lip. She wanted to signal her to grab her bow, but Gabriella’s earlier display of archery suggested that Selena, injured as she was, would be a better shot.

‘How do I get us out of this?’

The hunting grounds offered little cover beyond trees and undergrowth. It was isolated; no one was likely to pass by, and any cries for help would probably go unheard.

The best course of action was to make them leave on their own.