The Reason Why She Can’t Get Married - Chapter 5

Schedule: Thurs and Sun

Chapter 5

Selena tilted her head back to meet the gaze of the towering man before her. Golden locks, akin to strands of molten sunlight, framed his face, accentuating his delicate features and straight nose. From beneath his ear, a graceful line extended along his jaw, reminiscent of a prince from the fairy tales that Selena had once cherished in her childhood.

Even the most eminent painter of the century, wielding a brush with utmost skill, would struggle to capture the the exquisite beauty of his face. His eyes sparkled like transparent glass beads, yet held a shimmer akin to sapphires. When their gazes intertwined, his lips parted, and his voice resonated like a gentle breeze.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

W-what?

Selena faltered, caught off guard. “M-my heart?” she stammered.

“…Pardon?”

As the man’s eyes widened in slight surprise, Selena swiftly regained her composure. “No, not that. I mean, I’m fine.”

“Are you sure you’re not hurt anywhere?”

“Oh, yes, I’m perfectly fine,” Selena reassured, shaking her hands vigorously to emphasize her well-being. His delicate features softened, and his lips curled gracefully, akin to a stroke of an artist’s brush.

“I’m glad.”

“….”

“Oh, wait a moment. Let me put you down.”

Bending his knees, the man gently lowered Selena to the ground. For a fleeting moment, she found herself enveloped in his embrace, and a slight tremor coursed through her legs as her feet touched the ground.

Why were her legs suddenly acting like this? Was it because it had been a while since she had seen a handsome man? Despite the eerie sensation that tingled her spine, Selena simply attributed it to his face. It must be because of his face, nothing more. Truthfully, the man before her was the most handsome man she had ever seen.

“Thank you for saving me. I’m Selena Irving. I want to repay your kindness, so could you please tell me your name?” Selena requested politely, standing tall and straight. The man smiled with his eyes and spoke slowly.

“I’m Noel Ratliffe. It is the duty of a knight to rescue a lady in distress, so please don’t worry about it too much.”

“….”

“Lady Selena?”

Noel’s eyes widened as he stared at Selena, frozen and unable to move.

“Are you okay? Where does it hurt?” Despite his concerned gaze, Selena couldn’t say a word. It wasn’t due to his striking handsomeness alone; it was because he was the man who could potentially bring about her demise.

He was none other than Noel Ratliffe, the Duke of Ratliffe himself—one of the three men who had proposed to her prior to her marriage.

‘How could I encounter this man in this situation, at this timing…?’

Selena’s mind involuntarily recalled Ian Patron, her younger sister’s husband. The eldest son of the prestigious Count Patron family, known for their solid finances and esteemed lineage, was a famous knight who hailed from the Blue Falcon Order and earned great merits in the war.

Now that she thought about it, Noel Ratliffe was the very commander of the Blue Falcon Order, the hero who had led them to triumph in the war.

‘He came to his subordinate’s wedding, huh?’ Selena swallowed dryly.

Did she encounter Noel Ratliffe in a similar manner in the past?

It was possible, considering he had recently returned to the capital after the war.

Since Selena had made her debut in her mid-teens, there was hardly any occasion for her to meet someone like Noel Ratliffe.

‘If I had known this would happen, I would have just endured my mother’s scolding.’

Although Noel had initially appeared as a resplendent prince, he now seemed more akin to a poisonous mushroom, capable of bringing about her demise if ingested.

“It won’t do. Lady, let’s go see a doctor together.” Seeing Selena’s face turn pale in real-time, Noel spoke.

Selena’s words escaped her mouth as she felt warmth that lightly gripped the space between her shoulder and forearm. She quickly extended her hand with a flustered expression. Why would she go see a doctor with a man who might be her murderer?

“No, no! It’s okay. There’s no need for that.”

“Don’t say that, lady. Your complexion suddenly worsened.”

Summoning forth a fake smile, Selena suppressed the words that surged within her upon realizing that he was, indeed, Noel Ratliffe.

“I must have been startled. Thanks to the Duke, I’m not injured, so don’t worry.”

“You know who I am?”

He hadn’t revealed his identity, so Noel seemed slightly surprised when she addressed him as the Duke.

“Is there anyone in the Carlton Empire who doesn’t know about you, Duke Ratliffe? Even a three-year-old noble child would know.”

“Ah, right. That’s true.” Noel let out an embarrassed and awkward laugh.

It seemed he realized how absurd it was for her not to know his title.

“But are you really okay? If it’s burdensome for you to come with me, lady, you can see a doctor alone.”

He pleaded with a suddenly serious expression. He was affectionate and kind, even to Selena, whom he had just met. Though he might become her future killer.

“I’ll do as you say, Your Excellency. So please don’t worry anymore. Thank you so much for saving me.”

Selena took a step back, placing her hand on her chest and bowing her head.

“Selena… um…”

“Then I’ll go first since I have something important to attend to. Take care.” She blurted out a farewell to quickly leave the scene. She had declared herself single to avoid dying, so it would be problematic to become close to Noel or develop a deep connection.

Without even hearing Noel’s farewell, she swiftly turned her back and departed.

“Wait, Lady Selena!” Noel urgently called out as she moved away, but she pretended not to hear and quickened her pace. Fortunately, he only called out once and didn’t chase after her or try to stop her. Read ahead here.