The Reason Why She Can’t Get Married - Chapter 51

Schedule: Thurs and Sun

Chapter 51

Clang! Bracing herself for the inevitable pain, she opened her eyes at the sharp sound of metal striking metal. A broad back shielded her.

“You shouldn’t close your eyes when it’s dangerous, my lady.” A low, gentle voice, hair like spun gold, eyes bluer than sapphires. Selena’s lips trembled before parting slowly.

“Y-Your Grace…?” Noel Ratliffe. He flicked his sword, deflecting Dominique’s blow, then turned back with a slight smile.

“Yes, my lady.”

“H-How did you get here…?”

“I told you. If you needed help, blow the whistle, and I would come.”

Sunlight filtering through the dense trees rippled like water over Noel. He smiled, his expression serene and kind. “You blew it several times, my lady, so it was easy to find you. Well done.”

“Oh…” Selena’s legs gave way, and she sank to the ground. Gabriella, startled, caught her from behind.

“Are you alright, my lady?”

“Yes, Your Highness. Thank you…”

She pressed a hand to her rapidly beating heart, realizing it was now racing even faster than before—with relief. She was alive. Noel Ratliffe, the hero of war, was here.

‘I’m alive… I’m truly alive…’

Selena lowered her head. Though she didn’t cry, her shoulders shook as she drew a deep breath. Gabriella patted her back comfortingly. Meanwhile, Noel turned leisurely to face Dominique and his men. “I never would have thought a member of the Royal Knights would be involved in kidnapping.”

“Ugh…” Dominique winced, a sharp pain throbbing in his wrist from the single parry with Noel. Of all people, it had to be Noel Ratliffe. As a knight, he was no match for Noel. Noel was a seasoned warrior with countless victories under his belt, while Dominique had only practiced his swordsmanship in the comfortable capital.

‘He… He won’t kill me, will he?’ Dominique stumbled backward, mirroring Selena’s earlier fear. A chilling smile touched the corners of Noel’s lips.

“I trust you’re prepared to face the consequences of your actions.”

An oppressive aura emanated from Noel, bearing down on Dominique and his men. Despite their superior numbers, a primal instinct told them it was useless. They felt like a huddle of rabbits cornered by a tiger.

“Aagh!”

One of the men, overcome by terror, turned and fled. While the others stood frozen, Noel calmly threw his sword at the fleeing man’s back. Thud.

“Gah!” The man screamed, collapsing lifelessly.

“See what happens when you run?” Despite being disarmed, Noel’s smile remained unperturbed. In contrast, the men, each armed with a weapon, trembled. Dominique, whose sword had been knocked from his grip by Noel’s strength, trembled the most.

‘I’ll die if this continues. Damn it, I don’t want to die!’

He gnawed on his lip, desperately searching for an escape. Noel, standing tall and composed, offered no opening. Driven to desperation, Dominique clenched his teeth. It was do or die.

“Don’t be afraid! He doesn’t even have a sword! Attack him all at once!”

Surrender meant certain death. The Emperor would never spare those who kidnapped the Imperial Princess. Escape was their only chance for survival.

“Let’s go!” Dominique roared. “Raargh!” Consumed by fear, the men charged at Noel. Unfazed, Noel disarmed one of the attackers and, with the stolen weapon, began systematically cutting down the others.

“Aagh!”

“Ugh!”

“Gasp!”

Dominique watched in horror as they fell like dominoes. Noel continued his merciless assault, even striking down those already on the ground, all while maintaining an unnervingly calm demeanor. “M-Monster…” Dominique whispered, collapsing in terror. Having dispatched the others with terrifying efficiency, Noel swung his sword through the air, scattering droplets of blood.

He turned his gaze to Dominique, his eyes cold and predatory, like a beast eyeing its final prey. Dominique scrambled backward, his eyes wide with fear. “M-Mercy…” He crawled away from the approaching Noel, stopping abruptly as he felt a presence behind him. He turned to see Gabriella and Selena staring at him, their eyes wide. Dominique scrambled to his feet and crawled towards them, reaching out desperately. “P-Please, save me! Your Highness, Lady Irving! I’ve made a terrible mistake! Please help me!” Selena flinched, seeing her own reflection in Dominique’s desperate plea.

‘Please… please, save me…’

The memory of her future self, choked by the hands of her unknown husband, begging for mercy, flashed before her eyes. Nausea welled up, and she covered her mouth. Panic seized Dominique as Noel drew closer. He hadn’t wanted to die; he had only wanted to marry the princess. “N-No, I don’t want to die… I don’t want to die…!” Muttering deliriously, he suddenly lunged towards Selena and Gabriella. Gabriella instinctively recoiled, but Selena stood frozen. Dominique grabbed Selena from behind, holding a knife to her throat.

“D-Don’t come any closer! If you don’t want this woman to die…!”

“Lady Irving—!” Noel stopped, and Gabriella screamed Selena’s name.

“What do you think you’re doing, Sir Dixon! Release Lady Irving at once!”

“Shut up! Drop your sword if you want Selena Irving to live!” Dominique, consumed by fear, ignored the princess and barked at Noel.