Chapter 7 (Part 2)

Father….

She wondered why Duke Lennox had called her so suddenly, only to find Earl Selkirk sitting there.

When she looked at him with eyes asking what on earth was going on, he shrugged his shoulders with a what’s-the-problem expression.

That stubborn old man!

Reina, who had been glaring at him with sharp eyes, had to lower her gaze. She couldn’t curse her father. What could she do about the stubbornness that ran in the family?

“Ah, hello.”

Reina had no choice but to greet Earl Selkirk. She tried not to show it, but an awkward smile naturally appeared on her lips.

“Lady Reina, you’re here.”

“Oh, yes.”

“Oh dear. I have some urgent business to attend to, so I’ll have to step out for a moment. Reina, keep the Earl company for me.”

After the greeting, Duke Lennox hurriedly left the study, performing an awkward act that anyone could see through. Left alone with Earl Selkirk, an awkward atmosphere lingered between them.

“I’m sorry. I apologize on behalf of my father.”

“It’s alright. The Duke is a very busy man, so I fully understand.”

It seemed this wasn’t the first time, as Earl Selkirk didn’t seem suspicious at all. He leisurely picked up the teacup in front of him and savored its aroma.

Though she felt uncomfortable, Reina glanced at him from time to time.

To be alone with the person her necklace had changed for….

‘In my opinion, it doesn’t just reveal s*xual compatibility. It shows you the person your heart is drawn to.’

The more she recalled Richelle’s words, the more suffocating it felt, like a thorn stuck in her throat.

I only like Commander Patrick, but what if I become interested in Earl Selkirk against my will?

According to Richelle, this could be the most dangerous situation for Reina. Just being together could make her heart lean towards him.

The only saving grace was that she didn’t feel any attraction yet. Nothing had changed since before she knew he was the one her necklace changed for.

Maybe it’s because we’re just sitting here doing nothing.

Oh, right! If I don’t talk until Father comes back, everything will be fine!

Reina believed that if she maintained the current state until Duke Lennox returned, she could protect her heart.

“I’ve heard a lot about you from the Duke.”

But the prolonged silence was broken when Earl Selkirk started the conversation first.

“What did he say?”

“That you’ve caused him a lot of trouble.”

“Oh, haha. Yes, I’ve given him a lot of grief because I don’t listen to him well.”

As the conversation began, Reina deliberately lowered her eyes.

She thought that if she didn’t make eye contact, she might avoid the magical influence. According to Richelle, Earl Selkirk should also develop feelings for her, so she wanted to prevent that possibility in advance.

It might have seemed rude, but Earl Selkirk didn’t seem to mind at all. He just continued the conversation naturally.

As she engaged in superficial social conversation, Reina realized that Earl Selkirk did not show much interest in her. However, she couldn’t be completely sure, so she added remarks that could degrade her reputation. This way, even if he started to develop an interest in her, it would quickly dissipate.

Fortunately, Duke Lennox entered the study not long after. It seemed that his excuse of having some urgent business was not a lie. Since the conversation had just ended, Reina gave a brief nod to Earl Selkirk and hurriedly left the study.

Her heart pounded the entire way back to her room.

It wasn’t beating for Earl Selkirk. It was beating for Patrick, feeling guilty for being alone with Earl Selkirk.

It wasn’t my intention. I’m sorry, Commander!

After the conversation, Reina felt even more certain. It wasn’t just physical compatibility that instinctively attracted her to Patrick.

Indeed, the heart is what matters!

Thinking this, Reina entered her room.

After Earl Selkirk left, Duke Lennox called Reina back to the study. It seemed he wanted to ask how the conversation with Selkirk went.

“What if Earl Selkirk isn’t the person the necklace changed for?”

Reina opened the study door without knocking, revealing her anger. She pretended not to know who the necklace indicated.

“Did I order you two to get engaged, or did I ever say you two would suit each other? I merely provided an opportunity for you to talk.”

Duke Lennox responded slyly.

Come to think of it, Duke Lennox never told her to get along with Earl Selkirk. He merely asked her to keep him company while he was away.

Does he think I don’t understand his intentions?

Though she was furious, Reina held it in and asked.

“Won’t Earl Selkirk find it strange?”

“No. He’s shown interest in you, so he probably liked it.”

“I don’t know him well. How does that make sense?”

“He knows what kind of trouble you’ve caused. It’s no secret that your curiosity has put me in difficult situations more than once.”

“What? Why would you tell him that? You weren’t one to gossip.”

Reina’s voice rose in agitation.

“Isn’t it stranger if he didn’t know, considering the trouble you’ve caused in his presence? I did tell you to behave.”

“….”

Reina was at a loss for words. She couldn’t refute because he wasn’t wrong.

“Anyway, I’ll handle my own affairs. So please, don’t try to set me up with Earl Selkirk.”

She hurriedly changed the subject. She hoped her father would stop meddling in her love life.

“But Earl Selkirk is far too good for you, so I don’t want you to miss this opportunity.”

“If he’s too good for me, then find someone else who suits him.”

“Why bother when your destined partner is right there?”

“Father, you seem mistaken. On the day the necklace changed, there was another person besides Earl Selkirk.”

Unable to hold it in, Reina finally revealed the truth she had been keeping to herself.

“Are you talking about Sir Marionus?”

“Yes. How do you know he isn’t my destined match?”

“If you’re so curious, go get the necklace right now. I’ll call Sir Marionus.”

“No, I don’t want to know who my match is!”

Reina immediately waved her hands and left the study.

Oh my goodness. This is a big problem.

From Duke Lennox’s attitude earlier, it seemed he had figured out that Earl Selkirk was the person the necklace changed for.

Realizing this, her heart pounded as she walked down the corridor. The unexpected situation left her mind in turmoil.

Dealing with Lady Berkshire’s issue was already overwhelming; why couldn’t my father leave me alone?

At this moment, Reina felt deeply resentful towards fate. Why was it that others found love so easily, while she was only given trials and tribulations?

* * *

“Young lady, are you going to the Lennox residence again today?”

“Of course.”

Lady Sandra smiled at the maid who had come early in the morning to dress her.

“When do you plan to have the wedding?”

“It should be within this year, shouldn’t it? My father has been hinting at it lately.”

Lady Sandra looked in the mirror, satisfied with her increasingly beautiful appearance.

With such beauty, there was no way Patrick wouldn’t fall for her. Having made Sir Bill fall for her at first sight, Sandra was confident she could seduce Patrick.

However, she couldn’t help but be bothered by the leech clinging to his side.

Why does it have to be the Lady of the Lennox family? She’s a woman with nothing special except for her family.

Reina was tall and slender, and her appearance was passable, but having just come of age this year, her face still had a youthful look.

What’s so good about a woman whose body curves can’t even compare to my toes?

Love required passion. Without fervent feelings, it wasn’t love.

Sandra believed that this was the difference between her and Reina. She was confident she could show Patrick desires and passions he had never known.

After all, that’s how she had dated Bill.

Sandra became Bill’s lover not long after her debutante.

She first met him when she went shopping and received his help. She fell for his dignified and dependable appearance at first sight.

Perhaps because the afternoon sunlight was turning golden, she thought he looked radiant. Wanting to become his lover, she approached him and succeeded in capturing his heart.

Bill, being an innocent man with no immunity to women, was captivated by her after spending just one night together.

He was the best match she had ever had among the men she dated, and she couldn’t describe how happy she was while they were together.

However, one thing bothered her. Bill was a commoner knight.