The Reason Why She Can’t Get Married - Chapter 89

Schedule: Thurs and Sun

Chapter 89

“…Yes?”

Selena’s eyes widened, flustered by the unexpected question. Noel, on the other hand, remained tranquil, as if unsure what he’d just asked. “What do you mean…?”

“At first, I thought you disliked me. You avoided me so much. But after stepping back and observing, I realized something.”

“…”

“It’s not that you dislike me, My Lady, but rather, you fear me.”

Selena couldn’t refute his words. Noel smiled, as if he’d expected as much. “I’ve seen many people fear me on the battlefield. I know who fears me.”

“….”

“But this isn’t a battlefield. So I’m curious why you’re afraid of me.”

As Selena remained silent, Noel quietly added, “If you don’t answer my question, I’m afraid I can’t give you a flower.”

To transform the client into the Summer Fairy, Selena had to reach the final stage. For that, she needed flowers from both Noel and Raymond. While she could try again later, Noel had a limited number of flowers. Having already given one to Lady Meyer so readily, this might be her only chance.

‘…There’s no rule saying I have to tell the complete truth, right?’

Her mind made up, Selena spoke impulsively.

“During the kidnapping incident at the hunting competition, the image of you cutting down a man so casually in front of me keeps replaying in my mind.”

It was a half-truth. The real reason she feared him stemmed from the possibility that Noel could be her deceased husband. Unable to confess that, she offered a different truth. “It was the first time I’d seen someone cut down by a sword, bleeding and collapsing right before my eyes. Even though you didn’t kill him directly, it felt like you did at the time.”

“I didn’t realize. I wasn’t trying to do that in front of you on purpose….”

Noel straightened up, his face etched with surprise as he explained himself. He seemed not just taken aback, but almost dizzy from the unexpected reason. “I truly wasn’t trying to shock you.…”

“I know. You were trying to save me. But as I said, I have a weak stomach.”

Not wanting to blame him for something that wasn’t the fundamental issue, Selena shrugged. “I may look strong, but I’m rather sensitive.”

“No.”

Noel’s face hardened as he immediately denied it. As if deeply affected, he rubbed his face with his hands and murmured, “My Lady… you look fragile. You walk like a newborn fawn.”

“Is that an insult?”

“Honestly, such scenes are so familiar to me. I didn’t think you’d be shocked. It’s my fault. I should have been more considerate of you.”

Contrary to her expectations, Noel appeared genuinely remorseful, and Selena felt a flicker of sympathy. She’d assumed he, as a strong candidate for her husband, wouldn’t feel any guilt, no matter what he did to her. An uncomfortable feeling settled over her, and Selena waved her hand dismissively.

“The Princess, who was with me, was perfectly fine. I’m just sensitive to external shocks.”

“Exactly. I should have been more considerate of you, startled like a newly awakened rabbit.…”

“Are those analogies meant to be compliments or insults?”

What did it even mean to walk like a newborn fawn and be startled like a newly awakened rabbit? But Noel, already reeling from the shock, didn’t register her question.

“I thought I had become a normal person like everyone else….”

He covered his face with one hand and muttered to himself. A moment later, he lowered his hand, the corners of his eyes drooping as he looked at Selena.

“I’m sorry, Lady Irving. I was so proud of myself for saving you, completely oblivious.”

“.…”

“Here, take this flower.…”

Noel dejectedly offered the flower. Selena accepted it, a strange unease clinging to her. Why did he have to look so forlorn while giving her the flower? “You can go now, My Lady.”

“.…”

“Do you have anything else to say to me?”

To his melancholic question, Selena hesitated before replying, “Um, I’m really sorry… but you know the last remaining rose? Could you give it to Lady Courtney Raven…?”

Since Luna Meyer wasn’t the only candidate, Selena needed to look out for Courtney as well. If Courtney didn’t receive a rose from Noel, she would be eliminated.

“…Yes, if that’s what you wish, My Lady. I’ll do that.”

“Thank you.”

“I hope you receive flowers from the others and become the Summer Fairy.”

Noel offered a wistful smile as he saw Selena out. Leaving Rattlife Manor and heading to Serenade, Selena couldn’t shake off her unease. She felt like she had needlessly upset him.

‘Ugh, why does he have to be so handsome―’

Making her even more concerned. “Lucy, listen. Imagine you did something incredibly dangerous for someone, and later, they told you they were now afraid of you because of it. How would you feel?”