The Reason Why She Can’t Get Married - Chapter 48

Schedule: Thurs and Sun

Chapter 48

“That’s absurd… What should I do? What’s the best course of action?” As expected, Gabriella paled and her voice trembled. Lowering her voice just enough to project confidence and reassurance, Selena replied, “Escape with me. If anything happens, I’ll protect Your Highness.”

“Lady Irving…” Gabriella looked up at Selena with a mixture of gratitude and awe. Though still frightened, Selena’s presence gave her a sense of security. “…Alright. How do you plan to escape?” Once again, Gabriella was swayed by Selena’s words.

“First, we need to untie these ropes. Just a moment.” Selena scanned the cave floor, searching for something sharp, like a pointed rock, to cut the ropes. Let’s see, something useful…

‘This might work.’

Spotting a rock with a relatively sharp edge, she lifted it with some effort and returned to Gabriella. “Your Highness, I apologize, but would you mind using this rock to cut the rope around my wrists?”

“M-me…?”

“Yes. It seems like it could be dangerous, and my hand is already injured, so I’d like to start with my own ropes.”

Gabriella hesitantly took the rock. Her bound hands made it a bit awkward and uncomfortable, but not impossible. Selena silently placed her bound hands on the floor, making it easier for Gabriella to strike the ropes with the rock.

“I-I’ll do it…”

“Alright.”

Gabriella awkwardly raised the rock and brought it down on the rope binding Selena’s wrists. The sharp edge of the rock repeatedly struck the rope. Gabriella was tense, worried she might hit Selena’s hand. The tough rope gradually frayed, and finally, it snapped.

“I-it’s cut, Lady Irving!” Gabriella looked up, her face alight with joy. For the first time since their capture, a genuine smile graced her features.

“Well done, Your Highness. You did a great job.” Selena calmly untied the severed rope. Her hands were now relatively free. She carefully untied the knots binding Gabriella’s wrists and body. They hadn’t been tied too tightly, so it wasn’t difficult.

“Wow…! Wait, let me help you with yours, Lady Irving.” Gabriella, now completely free, eagerly untied the ropes that had bound Selena.

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

“Don’t mention it. What do we do next?”

“We get out of this cave.”

Gabriella nodded. The problem was, they were stranded in the middle of the cave, needing to choose whether to go left or right. Selena stood still for a moment, closing her eyes and sharpening her senses.

Whoosh—A faint draft of air brushed against her, coming from the left. “This way, Your Highness. I’ll lead the way, so please follow closely behind me.” Selena pointed to the left. If there was a breeze, it was likely there was an opening to the outside in that direction.

“Alright, Lady Irving.”

“Let’s go.” Selena picked up the lamp and stepped into the darkness. Gabriella obediently followed close behind. Hand in hand, they walked steadily to the left. After what felt like a considerable distance—

“Your Highness, wait a moment.”

“Yes?”

Selena stopped, straining to pinpoint the source of a very faint splashing sound.

‘It seems to be coming from this way.’

Having determined the direction of the sound, she changed course and started walking towards it. The breeze grew stronger, and other sounds, like birdsong, began to mingle with the splashing. Their pace quickened.

The darkness of the cave gradually gave way to a luminous glow, revealing a distant, pure white light.

“Lady, is that the exit?” Gabriella’s voice lifted with excitement as she pointed towards the opening, its whiteness a stark contrast to the dim surroundings. Selena nodded vigorously.

“Yes, I think so. Let’s hurry, Your Highness.” They practically ran towards the light, the white expanse resolving itself into a clearer image as they drew nearer: a forest, lush with trees and bisected by a gently flowing stream.

Just as they were about to burst forth, a gruff voice echoed from outside.

“Damn it, are you sure this is alright?”

Selena abruptly stopped, pulling Gabriella back with her. They crept silently to the edge of the opening, pressing themselves against the wall to peer out. Below, gathered beneath the trees, were the masked figures who had attacked them.

“The Crown Prince, the Duke, and even the Tower Lord are all out searching. If we’re caught, we’re dead.”

“Well, duh. We kidnapped the Imperial Princess. Think of the reward, though! It’s gonna be huge.”

“No one’s arguing that! But things have changed. They said that young master from the Marquisate would be leading the search, but the Duke took over!”

One of the men kicked viciously at a nearby tree, his voice laced with frustration. Hidden just inside the cave, Selena froze. The young master from the Marquisate…

‘Could it be… Dominique Dixon?’