The Reason Why She Can’t Get Married - Chapter 58
Chapter 58
***
Several days later, Selena’s long convalescence ended, and she returned to work. Gabriella, having heard the news, visited Serenade. Selena looked at her with concern. Gabriella, already slender, seemed to have lost even more weight.
“Your Highness, are you alright?”
“Yes. Are you alright?”
“Of course, I am.”
She’d rested plenty. It was the longest break she’d taken since starting her business. Of course, despite the rest, Selena had also lost some weight, but not as much as Gabriella. Gabriella lowered her eyes, fiddling with her teacup before speaking.
“I’m truly sorry.”
“Pardon me?”
Selena tilted her head, surprised by the sudden apology. She couldn’t think of anything Gabriella needed to apologize for.
“What are you apologizing for?”
“Because of me, you were dragged into that kidnapping ordeal. I’m sorry. I was foolish, I misjudged him…”
Gabriella’s voice was filled with remorse. Selena’s eyes widened, and she quickly waved her hands.
“Don’t say that. It wasn’t your fault.”
“Yes, it was. If I hadn’t been deceived, or if I hadn’t involved you, none of this would have happened.”
“That… that jerk… Dominique Dixon is the one to blame!”
Selena moved closer to Gabriella and patted her shoulder. She hadn’t blamed Gabriella for a single moment, not even once. Gabriella looked at Selena, her eyes brimming with tears.
“You don’t resent me?”
“Absolutely not. You did nothing wrong. Why would I resent you?”
Selena’s reply was firm. Gabriella fidgeted with her fingers, then asked hesitantly, “Then…will you still be my friend?”
“Of course! I already considered you a friend, which is why I protected you like that.” A bright smile lit up Selena’s face. Gabriella’s eyes grew moist as she remembered Selena hiding her behind her back and bravely confronting the kidnappers.
“I…I thought you would hate me now…”
“That’s absurd. Don’t cry, Your Highness.”
“But everyone’s saying this happened because I was stupid enough to fall for a knight…”
Gabriella blinked, and tears spilled down her lashes. Dominique Dixon’s actions, his attempts to win her favor, had become public knowledge. Most people condemned Dominique, but some criticized Gabriella for being naive and easily fooled.
Selena frowned at the thought of the innocent princess being blamed when the culprit was someone else entirely.
“Who said such things? I’ll teach them a lesson!”
“My brother and father…”
“Well, regardless of what anyone says, you’re not at fault, so don’t let it get to you!”
Unable to bring herself to threaten the Emperor and Crown Prince, Selena offered words of encouragement instead. A small laugh escaped Gabriella’s lips, tears still trickling down her cheeks.
“Thank you. Thank you for saying that.”
“I’m just speaking from the heart.”
Selena smiled gently, then hesitated for a moment before speaking softly.
“Actually, there is something I should apologize for, Your Highness.”
“You?”
“Yes. I had a feeling that Sir Dixon was suspicious, but I didn’t tell you because I thought you wouldn’t believe me.”
If only Selena had given her a hint, Gabriella might not have chosen to go hunting that day without her guards. At the time, she had trusted Dominique Dixon implicitly, and that was why she’d made such a choice.
“I’m sorry, Your Highness.”
Secretly, Selena had also thought the lovesick princess was being foolish. Seeing the guilt etched on Selena’s face, Gabriella took her hand.
“No, Lady Selena. Honestly, even if you had told me, I wouldn’t have listened.”
“But…”
“Even if you hadn’t told me, it’s not your fault that it happened. Right?” Gabriella echoed Selena’s earlier words, a gentle smile gracing her lips. A faint smile touched Selena’s lips as well.
“I’m glad I didn’t lose a friend because of this.”
“I feel the same way.”
They clasped hands, their warm chatter filling the Serenade office for a while.
“Still, I feel so bad, I want to make it up to you.”
“I’m truly fine, Your Highness.”
Selena shook her head. Accepting material compensation from the princess for something like this would only make her feel more awkward.
“I know. That’s why I want to offer something other than direct compensation.”
“What…?”
“I’ll diligently promote Serenade to all the ladies I know!” Gabriella declared, pumping her fists. Serenade was already thriving, but she wanted to help Selena in any way she could. Understanding her intentions, Selena simply nodded.
“I’d be grateful for your promotion, Your Highness.”
“I’ll make sure to send you some excellent clients. Trust me.”
“I trust you, Your Highness.” Selena smiled warmly. She realized she shouldn’t have a week later.
***
“What shall we have for lunch today?”
Lunchtime arrived after the morning’s work. The three key members of Serenade gathered, heads together.
“I want meat.”
“You had meat this morning. Too much meat isn’t good for you. I want a sandwich.”
“That was yesterday’s lunch. It’s a crime to eat the same thing two days in a row, Lucy.”
“And what about eating the same thing for breakfast and lunch?”
At least when it came to choosing lunch, Serenade operated without hierarchy. Consequently, Lucy and Selena’s opinions clashed every day.
“Will a sandwich even fill you up? We need good, hearty meat to power us through the afternoon.”
“If you eat too much, you’ll just get sleepy and sluggish. A light and tasty sandwich is perfect.” After their usual bickering, the two turned their heads to look at Randy, who had been quietly observing. His turn had finally come, and Randy swallowed nervously.
“Randy, you choose what we’ll eat.”
“Yes, Mr. Randy, you choose.”
“Um, well, I…”
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