The Reason Why She Can’t Get Married - Chapter 54

Schedule: Thurs and Sun

Chapter 54

“Yes, I am deeply sorry.”

“Well, if you’re that sorry, then take care of me today.” Selena grinned mischievously. Lemon blinked, his long lashes fluttering.

“Take care of you, Miss?”

“Yes, wait on me.” Selena’s smile widened. Lemon nodded obediently.

“Understood. I will do my utmost to be your hands and feet, Miss Selena.”

Watching him speak so earnestly, Selena struggled to contain her laughter. The sight of her fairy-like, utterly serious employee sparked a mischievous desire to tease him.

“Well then, Lemon. It’s almost time for me to eat. Lucy will bring the food to my room.” Lately, Selena had been eating in bed, not because she was incapacitated, but because of Lucy’s excessive fussing.

“I’ll go and get it right away.” Selena stopped Lemon as he abruptly rose from the chair beside her bed. She hadn’t meant for him to fetch the food.

“No, not that.”

“Then…?”

“Feed me.”

“Pardon?” Lemon’s eyes widened, his light brown gaze filled with bewilderment. Maintaining a straight face, Selena gestured to her still-healing right hand.

“I hurt my hand, remember?”

“Ah… I understand.” After a moment of hesitation, Lemon nodded resolutely, as if making a solemn vow. When Lucy arrived with a tray laden with food, he took it and sat beside the bed, meticulously cutting the meat into small pieces with a knife. Then, spearing a piece with the fork, he offered it to Selena—

‘Oh, this is killing me.’ Despite his composed expression, Lemon’s hand trembled as if he had a sudden case of the shakes. He fumbled, missing Selena’s mouth entirely.

“Lemon, I think that’s my cheek, not my mouth.”

“My apologies, Miss Selena.” As if feeding her was the most daunting task imaginable, beads of sweat trickled down his temples. He steadied his fork-holding hand with his other hand and finally managed to place the meat into Selena’s mouth with an exaggeratedly courteous gesture.

“Now I want some of that.”

“As you wish.”

“I’d like some soup.”

“Certainly, please wait a moment.” Lemon dutifully served Selena whatever she requested. Of course, his trembling hands resulted in soup splashing everywhere.

“Should I just eat by myself?” Selena finally asked, feeling a mixture of amusement and pity. To her surprise, Lemon shook his head.

“No, I will do it.”

“Really?”

“Yes.” He seemed determined now, perhaps driven by a newfound sense of purpose.

‘This is nice, being waited on hand and foot.’ Selena accepted the rest of the food from Lemon without a second thought. Once the meal, one-sidedly arduous for Lemon, was over, Selena leaned back comfortably against the bed.
“What should i do now?” Lemon asked, returning after clearing the tray. Selena tilted her head, feigning contemplation.

“Hmm… Oh, I’ve been cooped up in this room for so long. I’d love some fresh air.”

“Shall we take a stroll in the garden then?”

She nodded eagerly, adding brightly, “Would you mind carrying me?”

At her cheerful request, Lemon, who had been reaching for the bedside table to help himself up, lost his grip. He stumbled forward, almost falling, and landed on one knee.

“Lemon, are you alright?”

“…Yes, I’m fine.”

“Sorry, asking you to carry me was too much, wasn’t it?”

“Not at all. I’ll carry you.” Still kneeling, Lemon turned around and offered his back. Selena was curious to see just how far this innocent and sweet subordinate would go. He was actually going to carry her just because she asked.

‘How can someone be this cute and naive?’

Selena climbed onto Lemon’s back. Since they would be staying within the marquisate grounds, she figured a piggyback ride wouldn’t hurt.

“Am I heavy?”

“You’re as light as a feather.” Lemon replied earnestly to her jokingly-posed question.

“Oh, come on. That’s not true.”

“It’s true. You’re very light, Miss Selena.”

“I’m quite tall, I must have some bone weight to me.”

“Not at all. You’re light.” With his hands fisted securely, Lemon carried Selena with surprising stability out into the garden. They circled the marquisate gardens like that. Lucy, seeing the young lady enjoying her piggyback ride, shooed away the other servants so they could stroll in peace.

“Let’s sit here.” Selena pointed to a bench in the garden. Lemon silently complied, lowering her onto the bench. He then sat beside her.

“Wow, that was fun.”

“Did you enjoy it?”

“Yes, it’s quite nice not using my own two feet for a change.” Selena swung her legs, a playful grin spreading across her face. Lemon, not even a drop of sweat on his brow despite carrying her around the entire garden, looked relieved.

“Miss Selena.”

“Yes?” At his quiet call, Selena turned her head to look at him. Lemon lowered his gaze and spoke slowly. “……I swear I’ll never let you be put in such danger because of my mistake again.”

“I told you it wasn’t your fault, Lemon. How many times do I have to tell you?”

“It was an accident I could have prevented. If only I had discovered and relayed that information sooner. No. If I had told you myself….”

“Silly, you weren’t even at the hunt. How could you have told me yourself?”

“….”
Lemon’s lips pressed together in a thin line. His hazel eyes flickered with a complex mix of emotions.

“Anyway, sor….”

“I told you what I’d do if I heard even the beginning of an apology.”

“…It’s not ‘sorry,’ it’s ‘sir.’ I mispronounced it.”

“Pfft.” At Lemon’s clumsy attempt at a cover-up, Selena finally burst out laughing. Her bright laughter echoed through the garden. “You’re impossible, Lemon.”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re so cute, it’s driving me crazy. I wonder what kind of woman will end up with someone as adorable as you.” Selena turned to face Lemon directly, her gaze intense. He flinched, his ears turning a delicate shade of pink.

“Lemon, do you have a type?”

“A type… you mean?”

“Yes, like a preferred type of woman, I’m curious.”

Unable to meet Selena’s gaze, Lemon stammered, his eyes fixed on the ground. “…Yes, I do.”