The Reason Why She Can’t Get Married - Chapter 82

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Chapter 82

He nodded, then shook his head firmly. Their silent communication had become so frequent that Selena had grown adept at interpreting his gestures.

“Ah, yes. I understand. Thank you for the advice.” He remained silent. “Then, I’ll be going.” As she turned to leave, Selena’s curiosity about his silence deepened. ‘I should ask Lemon to investigate him later.’ With lighter steps, she headed towards the carriage where Lucy awaited her.

***

The day before Rio’s return, Isabella had a change of heart. While Selena was at the Imperial Palace, Isabella had reconsidered. “You were right, Lady Selena. It doesn’t matter what others think; my feelings are what matter most.”

A faint smile touched her lips as she expressed her desire to see Rio. “I want to see him just once more. I’m not expecting anything in return. I just want to apologize and say goodbye.”

“That’s good, Isabella. You made the decision your heart desired.”

Selena immediately contacted Rio. With his return only a day away, time was short. Their reunion was scheduled for early morning on the day of his arrival. The news, of course, reached Maximilian.

“She defied me again.”

Selena wasn’t surprised to find Maximilian at the Serenade office, unannounced. She’d remained composed when he’d unexpectedly visited her at the Imperial Palace, and now, she felt the same. “Do you truly not understand why that commoner so abruptly changed her mind?”

“No, I don’t.” Maximilian ran a hand through his hair in frustration.

“She’s clinging to the Royal Prince, hoping for a rise in social status.”

“I don’t think so.”

“That’s why you’re called naive and foolish. She’s cleverly chosen to meet him on the day of his return, knowing he won’t have time to think things through.”

Maximilian clicked his tongue, still convinced that Isabella wanted to be Rio’s concubine, and that Rio would oblige. “She’ll play the victim and try to secure her position.”

“Stop insulting Isabella, Your Highness. Neither she nor I are what you think we are.” Selena’s sharp tone made Maximilian frown.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means stop with the baseless assumptions. And, with all due respect, I’ve never been called naive or foolish.”

Throughout her life, and as the head of Serenade, Selena had never received such criticism. She’d been called innocent, perhaps, but never naive or foolish. She wasn’t indecisive or prone to jumping to conclusions.

“Regardless of what you believe, I don’t consider this request a failure, nor do I regret it.”

A crooked smile twisted Maximilian’s lips.

“You’ll regret defying me yet again.”

“No, I won’t. In fact, why don’t you join us when the Royal Prince and Isabella meet?”

Selena’s eyes shone brightly as she looked directly at him.

“Seeing it firsthand will make it clear who’s mistaken.”

“How confident. Fine, I’ll come. I want to see your regret with my own eyes.”

Arrogance dripped from Maximilian’s voice as he lifted his chin. Selena pulled out a piece of paper, wrote down the time and place, and handed it to him. “Then be there tomorrow.”

“I will.”