The Reason Why She Can’t Get Married - Chapter 72

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Chapter 72

‘This writing style seems familiar.’

Pondering, she turned to Selena, who was lounging on the sofa. “Boss, how did you write this letter?”

“Oh, that? I just imagined what kind of letter I would like to receive, written in the style of a man I admire.”

“Ah, I see.” Dismissing Selena’s casual reply, Lucy returned to the letter. On the third reading, it simply seemed like the typical style of a male nobleman. Or perhaps the style of the male leads in the romance novels Selena frequently read.

‘That’s why it felt familiar.’

Shrugging, Lucy sent the letter to Viscount Madison’s estate.

***

A few days later, Madison informed them that he and Lady Ahas had officially begun courting. He explained that Lady Ahas had responded very favorably to the letter he’d written after reviewing the reference. Selena, reading a newspaper article about a crown prince from an allied nation visiting as part of a diplomatic mission, smiled with satisfaction.

Serenade had another success story. Hoping for more peaceful commissions like this, Selena received a new request.

[Greetings, my name is Jacob. I am writing to request your help in finding my first love from ten years ago. Though it has been so long since I last saw her, I still vividly remember her features, her hair color, even her clothes. She had ebony hair, eyes like black beans, and adorable freckles sprinkled across the bridge of her nose. Her name was Belle. She bravely saved me when I was in danger. I believe I fell in love with her in that very moment. Although circumstances allowed us only a few days together, even in that short time, it was clear she was a bright, sunny, and spirited girl. Despite the years that have passed, I have yet to meet anyone who smiles as radiantly as Belle. I don’t have much time left. I implore you, I long to see her just once more, the girl who, despite our brief encounter, had such a profound impact on my life. I pray that Serenade can reunite me with my first love.]

Selena was deeply touched by the heartfelt closing. It was the first time she had received such a poetic request since starting Serenade. Her gaze lingered on the phrase “I don’t have much time left.”

‘Why doesn’t he have much time? Could he be terminally ill…?’

If so, the request became even more poignant. How tragic it would be to die without seeing the first love he so longed to meet one last time. Selena, a lover of happy endings, couldn’t bear the thought.

‘I have to take this case.’

She immediately sent a reply accepting the request. The client responded that he would visit Serenade the very next day. Selena eagerly anticipated the meeting, wondering what kind of person could write such a beautiful letter. Finally, the time arrived, and someone knocked on Serenade’s door.

Randy went to greet the visitor, and Selena waited with bated breath. At last, the door swung open, and bathed in the soft light stood—

‘Huh?’

He looked familiar. Selena stared at him for a few seconds before suddenly realizing who he was and quickly bowed her head.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Your Highness.”

A few days ago, the Crown Prince of the Tifae Kingdom, Rio, had visited as part of an allied nation’s envoy. Hearing Selena, Lucy and Randy also hurriedly bowed. Rio, who had entered the office, opened his mouth with a friendly smile.

“Haha. Yes, hello. Is this Serenade?”

“Yes, it is. What brings you here…?” Selena asked, looking at Rio with a disbelieving expression. He, with his neat features and reddish-brown hair, smiled brightly. “I made a request to Serenade. To find my first love.”

So it was him. The client behind the request that had so moved Selena was none other than Rio. With an incredulous look, she held out the request form. “Does this mean Your Highness wrote this request?”

“Yes, that’s right. Due to my circumstances, I had to hide my identity, so I used my subordinate to create a false identity.”

Selena had wondered why the identification information on the request form didn’t match Rio’s, but now it made sense.

“I apologize, my lady. It’s our policy to disclose one’s identity in the request, but I’m not here for leisure at the moment. Would you understand if I asked for your discretion just this once?” Rio apologized politely, one hand behind his back and the other on his chest.

With the Crown Prince of an allied nation making such a request, Selena could only nod. “Thank you.”

“Not at all. Please, come this way.” The two moved to the main office and sat facing each other on the sofa. Randy brought tea and some light desserts. Selena took a sip of tea while carefully observing Rio. He lifted his teacup gracefully, his posture straight and impeccable.

He seemed both fitting and not fitting as the client behind the request. Setting her cup down quietly, Selena asked, “Aside from your identity, there are no falsehoods in the contents of the request, correct?”

“Yes, the rest of the contents are entirely truthful.”

So, it truly was the story of a Crown Prince’s first love. Selena’s face lit up with interest. “Could you tell me exactly how you met Belle?” Rio gently rubbed the curve of his teacup and began to speak softly.

“It was ten years ago. At that time, I was studying abroad in the Carlton Empire.” His eyes shone faintly as he recalled the past.