The Reason Why She Can’t Get Married - Chapter 56

Schedule: Thurs and Sun

Chapter 56

Seeing Maximilian’s brow furrow as he glanced back, Selena practically ran to keep up. Watching his back as he strode ahead, completely inconsiderate of her shorter legs, she thought, ‘His Highness is truly insufferable, anytime, anywhere.’

She couldn’t understand Charlotte’s infatuation with him. Although, now that they were sitting face to face in the drawing-room, with the light from the window behind him making his face seem to glow, she could almost understand it.

“Thank you for coming all the way to the Irving estate, Your Highness.”

“You should be grateful. Consider it an honor. My time is more valuable than gold.” Maximilian crossed his legs arrogantly and lifted his chin. Not feeling particularly grateful in the first place, Selena forced a smile.

“Haha… I’m worried I’ve taken up too much of your precious time. As you can see, I’m quite alright, so you can leave early if you wish.” She’d packaged “get out of my house” as politely as she could. Maximilian narrowed his eyes, looked her up and down, and said, “You do look perfectly fine. You weren’t faking it, were you?”

“Excuse me?” ‘Even if I said I was fine, why would he bring up faking it?’ Despite Selena’s bewildered expression, Maximilian continued, “Word spread throughout society that you were bedridden from the shock of the kidnapping. The fact that you came running out when you heard I was here makes me think you weren’t that ill.”

“…Of course, I did. You’re the Crown Prince.” Even if she had been truly ill, no one would stay in bed when the Crown Prince arrived. Most would drag themselves up to greet him. While she had indeed been bedridden initially, Selena felt inexplicably annoyed and remained silent.

Maximilian took a sip of his tea and continued, “Both you and Gabriella are such drama queens. She also claimed to be traumatized and locked herself in her room for days.”

“….”

“It was just one day in a cave. It’s not like you were seriously injured.”

“….”

“If anything, it’s a good thing it happened.” Selena, who had been patiently reminding herself of his status, finally snapped. “What do you mean? A good thing? How is that a good thing?”

“Lady Irving, are you questioning me?” Maximilian frowned, displeased by her sharp tone.

“I’m not questioning you. I’m simply curious about your reasoning.”

“Fine. I’ll tell you. If it hadn’t happened, Gabriella wouldn’t have realized how foolishly she was being deceived.”

“….”

“At least it made her come to her senses a little. You must have learned a lot from this experience as well, haven’t you?” Maximilian lifted his chin haughtily. Selena’s fists clenched in her lap. After filtering her words several times, she finally spoke, “Are you saying that incident, which was deeply traumatic for both myself and the princess, was a good thing… for such a trivial reason?”

“Yes. I don’t see why it was so traumatic.”

“…Even after returning to the capital, I was ill for several days.” Selena said in a low voice, her lower lip firmly caught between her teeth.

“What?”

“I kept having nightmares, reliving the kidnapping. I was terrified that when I opened my eyes, I’d be back in that cave.”

“….”

“It might have seemed trivial to Your Highness, but it wasn’t to me. It was a terrible ordeal.” Gabriella likely felt the same. Considering she hadn’t left her room for days, it was obvious. Selena, who had earlier poured out her feelings to Maximilian in a burst of emotion, now composed herself and stood. With an impassive face, she bowed her head curtly. “Thank you for visiting, Your Highness. However, I am quite fragile, and the aftereffects prevent me from sitting for long.”

“Lady Irving.”

“So, if you’ll excuse me, please leave. I’m not feeling well.”

“Selena Irving.”

“Or perhaps I should excuse myself. I’ll have my parents attend to you instead.” With a cold turn, Selena made to leave the drawing-room. Maximilian, springing to his feet, strode over and blocked her path as she reached for the door. He frowned. “Sit down.”

“Didn’t I just say I’m unwell?”

“So, you’re refusing the Crown Prince’s request? Even if it were a royal command?” Maximilian’s words were a near growl, laced with threat. Selena’s eyes lifted, meeting his crimson gaze before she abruptly turned and returned to the sofa. Maximilian resumed his seat, rubbing his brow before speaking. “…What do you want me to do?”

“I haven’t asked anything of Your Highness.”

“You’re angry with me.”

“I’m not.”

“Don’t lie. I’m asking how I can appease you.” Maximilian let out an exasperated sigh, his voice softening slightly. Selena’s expression was one of utter surprise. ‘Since when did you care about someone’s anger…?’ Considering the Maximilian she knew, both publicly and privately, he was more likely to escalate the situation or simply ignore someone’s anger than ask how to placate them. Seeing the surprise and bewilderment on Selena’s face, Maximilian furrowed his brow.

“Well?”

“…Then, apologize for what you said earlier.”

“About your kidnapping being trivial?”

“Yes.”

Hesitantly, Maximilian spoke. “…I’m sorry.” Although she had asked for the apology, Selena’s eyes widened, genuinely surprised he’d actually given it. ‘He actually apologized…?’ As she sat in stunned silence, Maximilian’s frown deepened. “I said I’m sorry. Why aren’t you saying anything? I apologized, so I’ll assume you’re no longer angry.”

“Um, do I have to be over it immediately?”

“That’s usually how it works.” Maximilian’s expression hardened slightly, and Selena quickly backpedaled. He was the Crown Prince. This apology was a miracle in itself.

“Yes, I’m no longer angry.” The tension eased from Maximilian’s brow. Selena, cautiously observing him, ventured a question. “But…did it bother you that I was upset?”

“…No?”