The Reason Why She Can’t Get Married - Chapter 83

Schedule: Thurs and Sun

Chapter 83

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“It’s my fault for not being honest with you from the beginning.”

“No, Your Highness, it’s not your fault at all.”

Isabella gently shook her head at Rio’s self-reproach.

“On the contrary, for the past ten years, whenever times were tough, it was thanks to Your Highness that I was able to endure. This necklace you gave me became my support.”

Her mother had died when she was a baby, and her father was lost in a life of drinking and gambling. Because of this, Isabella had to grow up fast. As the head of her household, she wouldn’t have survived if she hadn’t worked tirelessly. For her, Jacob had been a breath of fresh air in her bleak childhood.

The time they spent together was short, but the memories were deep and long-lasting, sustaining Isabella through the years. And that—

“I feel the same, Belle. Even after returning to my country, I always thought of you. The kind and brave girl who saved me one night when I was injured and being chased.”

What awaited Rio upon his return from studying abroad was a full-blown battle for the throne. He had to endure countless hardships before overcoming his brother and being appointed crown prince, and every time, he thought of Belle. His first love, whom he had to leave behind in the Empire.

“So, I’ve always wanted to thank you.”

Thank you for saving me that day, for being my unfading first love.

“Thank you, Belle. I’m saying this as your friend, Jacob.”

Rio’s eyes reddened, but he smiled. Isabella did the same.

“I’m grateful too, Jacob. I’ll let you go from my heart now. Goodbye. I’m saying this as your friend, Belle.”

They both knew better than anyone that their worlds were different. Rio didn’t want to take Isabella to the Tifae Kingdom as a concubine out of some deceptive sense of pity or compassion. And Isabella, though her life was hard and she was but a commoner, didn’t want to spend the rest of her life as the concubine of her first love. This was their choice.

“Yes… I’ll never forget you, but I’ll live burying these feelings forever. Still, I hope you’ll always be happy.”

“I hope the same for you. I wish you eternal happiness.”

They held each other’s hands tightly for a moment, then let go. Rio, taking one last look at Isabella, slowly turned and left. Isabella silently watched his retreating figure. With a creak, the open door slammed shut, and Rio disappeared completely. Isabella turned to Selena.

“Thank you, Lady Selena. Thanks to you, I was able to say my final goodbye to His Highness.”

“No, Isabella. It’s thanks to your courage.”

Selena smiled faintly and patted Isabella’s shoulder lightly. Isabella lowered her eyes, touched her necklace, and spoke softly.

“Actually, this was my lingering attachment. I knew I could pay off my debts if I sold it, but I couldn’t let it go. I thought since I’d never see His Highness again, I should at least hold onto this until I die.”

“I see.” “But now that I’ve met His Highness and said a proper goodbye, I think I can finally let go of my attachment.”

Isabella smiled with a sense of relief, clasped her hands in front of her, and bowed her head. Once she left the warehouse, only Selena and Maximilian remained. “I don’t understand either of them.” Maximilian flipped back his robe’s hood, frowning and muttering under his breath.

“Did they cause all this commotion when they didn’t even like each other that much?”

“…?”

“Or did they change their minds because they didn’t like how the other had grown up?”

Selena was appalled by Maximilian’s words, wondering if they had even witnessed the same scene. How could he say such a thing after seeing them maturely and beautifully let go of their childhood first love?

In a way, he was so remarkable that she put a hand to her forehead and shook her head.

“That’s not it, Your Highness. They parted ways and returned to their own lives because they loved each other.”

“Hmph, ridiculous. If they truly loved each other, they would have wanted to possess each other, not let go.”

Maximilian crossed his arms and looked at Selena askance. At his stubborn, self-assured gaze, Selena was speechless for a moment before she opened her mouth.

“Some love willingly sacrifices its own feelings for the other person. There’s a reason why people say they break up because they love each other. Not all love is meant to be.”

“Is that something the Empire’s best couple matching expert should be saying? Ah, I see you’ve expanded your business to breakups now, haven’t you?”

Maximilian scoffed, displeased with Selena’s words. But Selena simply shrugged, her face unfazed. It would have been more surprising if he had responded kindly.

“Letting go is also a form of love if it doesn’t work out. Especially if the other person wants it, letting them go willingly is true love.”

“True love.” He uttered the words softly, his lips twisting in derision. “Then, my lady, would you let go of someone you truly love if they wanted you to?”

“Yes, Your Highness. Of course, I would. Love and possession are different.”

“…How laughable.” Selena looked at Maximilian, his face contorted in an incomprehensible displeasure. Why was this arrogant, obnoxious, and frightening crown prince so hostile towards love? She didn’t want to know the details, but it was certainly puzzling.