The Reason Why She Can’t Get Married - Chapter 81

Schedule: Thurs and Sun

Chapter 81

Even as she faced his blatant displeasure, Selena remained resolute. Whatever the reason for Maximilian’s prejudice, she needed to make one thing clear.

“I understand your skepticism towards love, Your Highness. That’s your personal prerogative. However, even you, the Crown Prince, have no right to judge another’s feelings so carelessly.”

He might be the Crown Prince, but that didn’t give him the right to toy with other people’s emotions.

“You…” Maximilian clenched his fists, his expression vanishing. “I’ve been too lenient, and now you dare to lecture me again?” His low voice dripped with irrational anger. Selena flinched under his icy glare, the temperature in the room seeming to plummet. He was furious, as if she’d struck a nerve. “Selena Irving, do you find me, the Crown Prince, amusing?”

“No, Your Highness.”

“Yet you constantly contradict and try to teach me? You must find me amusing to act this way.”

He growled, seemingly oblivious to his own underhanded dealings. As Selena opened her mouth to retort, her gaze locked with his intensely bright red eyes, and she froze. His ruby-like eyes, usually reminiscent of Gabriella’s, now seemed stained with blood.

‘What’s happening?’

Her fingertips trembled, the tremor spreading through her body. A cold sweat trickled down her spine. While she stood there speechless, a servant knocked and entered.

“Your Highness, it is time for the court meeting. Everyone awaits your presence.”

Silence hung in the air. Maximilian, his eyes still fixed coldly on Selena, finally rose.

“I’ll be there shortly. Lady Irving, you should take your leave.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Before she could finish, he slammed the door shut. Selena slowly made her way out. Lucy was waiting in the carriage, so she walked the corridor alone.

‘Why am I so dizzy and sweaty?’

Maximilian had been intimidating, but he hadn’t threatened her directly. Yet, the chill that had settled over her refused to dissipate. It was a different kind of fear than the one she felt around Noel. She stumbled, nearly walking headfirst into a pillar.

Thud. Something soft cushioned the impact. Selena looked up, her mind clearing. A man in an iron mask stood before her—Raymond, the Tower Lord. He had stopped her from hitting the pillar.

“Oh… Thank you, Tower Lors.”

She managed a weak smile and a small bow, drained after her encounter with Maximilian. Golden eyes studied her, lingering on the shadows beneath her eyes.

“Then, I’ll be…”

Raymond caught her shoulder as she turned to leave. He hesitated, then pulled something from his pocket and offered it to her—a small, round case containing a candy. “…Is this for me?” He nodded.

“Why…?”

He flipped the case over. The back read, ‘Magic Candy for Energy Recovery (Strawberry Flavor).’

‘I love strawberry.’

Her favorite fruit was strawberry, and she loved strawberry-flavored desserts and drinks.

‘It’s strange how he knows my tastes…’

They barely knew each other, their interactions limited to brief encounters. It was an odd coincidence.

‘Could it be… because he’s my future husband?’

Selena eyed Raymond suspiciously. Unlike Noel, who was openly interested in her, or Maximilian, with whom she was constantly entangled due to his requests, Raymond didn’t register as strongly on her radar. Of course, she was nervous around him, given his position, but she didn’t find him threatening.

Perhaps it was because she already had a prime suspect in mind for her future husband. He was stiff and curt, yet sometimes kind and familiar—a strange contradiction.

“I’ll enjoy this. Thank you.”

Dismissing her suspicions, Selena bowed her head again. A gift deserved thanks, after all.

“Ahem.”

Instead of a verbal reply, Raymond cleared his throat and gestured between her eyes and the space in front of her. “You’re telling me to watch where I’m going?”