Chapter 7 (Part 7)

“Let’s talk in the guest room for a moment.”

Agreeing to his suggestion, they headed to the guest room on the second floor. Even before the maid could bring refreshments, Reina spoke as soon as she sat down.

“Why do you suddenly want to talk to me alone? Is it because my father brought up the engagement?”

She tried to stay calm, but the situation made her voice come out blunt.

“Ah, that’s part of it, but I heard something much more interesting.”

“What did you hear?”

Worried that her father might have said something strange, Reina tried to recall her recent actions. There were too many to count, making her feel uneasy.

But what came out of Earl Selkirk’s mouth was entirely unexpected.

“I heard there’s a magical necklace. They say it tells if you’re compatible. Is that true?”

“Wh-where did you hear that?”

Caught off guard, Reina stammered. Not many people knew about the necklace, so she wondered how he found out.

There weren’t many who would talk about such an embarrassing necklace, so he might have overheard a conversation in the mansion.

But she couldn’t remember anyone speaking loudly enough to be overheard….

Ah!

A memory flashed through her mind. It was when she was talking with Louis.

She shook her head. Earl Selkirk hadn’t visited the mansion that day, so it was unlikely he had overheard.

Who could it be?

As she eyed Earl Selkirk suspiciously, an unexpected name came from his mouth.

“Lady Berkshire visited me yesterday.”

“What?”

Why was he suddenly bringing up Lady Berkshire?

Reina felt a sense of foreboding, but she hoped her thoughts were wrong.

But they weren’t.

“She told me about the magic necklace used only by the Lennox family, and also said that you and I are destined partners.”

How did Lady Berkshire know that?

Unable to believe what she heard, Reina’s mouth hung open, forgetting all manners and decorum. Her eyes trembled slightly with anxiety.

Come to think of it, she had heard that Lady Berkshire met her mother. After that, Duke and Duchess Lennox’s efforts to connect her with Earl Selkirk had intensified.

Could it be that Lady Berkshire overheard my conversation with Louis?

That must be it.

Finally, Reina understood the recent situation.

Believing that the necklace could reveal one’s destined partner, Duke and Duchess Lennox invited Earl Selkirk to the meal and brought up the marriage talk.

Of all people, the most troublesome one had found out.

As she furrowed her brows, Earl Selkirk’s voice broke her thoughts.

“Now I understand why the Duke has been calling me often to spend time with you. I never imagined there was such an interesting story behind it. Don’t you find it fascinating?”

His eyes, filled with curiosity, sparkled in the sunlight streaming through the window. For a moment, she found it beautiful, but she quickly dismissed her feelings and lowered her gaze.

“I think it’s an interesting necklace, but I don’t intend to leave my future to it.”

“An engagement between us wouldn’t be a bad proposal.”

“Are you interested in me?”

“Interested, you say.”

Earl Selkirk seemed to ponder for a moment, then chuckled.

“I’m interested in the necklace. I’m curious if it’s true or not. But it seems you’re not.”

“No. Since I’m not curious, I’ll have to decline your proposal.”

“Even if you might regret it later?”

Despite her refusal, Earl Selkirk showed no sign of backing down. He seemed confident that she wouldn’t regret choosing him.

“My lady, would you like to give us a chance?”

Before Reina could respond, he said something surprising.

“Don’t you have a lover?”

Reina intentionally answered curtly, wanting to make it clear to him that she had no interest for him.

“I don’t have one at the moment. So how about becoming my lover, my lady?”

“…”

It was the first time anyone had directly asked her to be their lover, leaving Reina speechless. She realized she hadn’t even heard such words from Patrick, making her even more flustered.

“Earl Selkirk, you must be an ambitious man. Wanting to date someone who has no interest in you.”

Barely opening her mouth, Reina deliberately spoke harshly.

“What man in this world is without ambition? But it seems you’ve misunderstood me, my lady.”

“….”

“If I were to marry you, it would certainly be a great advantage for me, so the Duke’s proposal is quite tempting. However, I’m more curious about what kind of feeling it would be to be intimate with you, to be honest.”

“Aren’t you quite popular? In that case, you should enjoy yourself with other ladies, not me.”

Though Earl Selkirk appeared to be smiling, it wasn’t genuine. His dark eyes, reminiscent of a night sky without stars or even the moon, revealed nothing.

There was a subtle but palpable sense of intimidation, as if he might bite her neck if she let her guard down.

Thus, even though it was somewhat rude, Reina had no choice but to maintain a firm stance.

“There are many women eager to sleep with me.”

“Surely you’re not trying to compare me to those women?”

Reina’s eyes narrowed. 

Could it be that Earl Selkirk was a womanizer?

“I’ll only say this to you, my lady.”

At that moment, Earl Selkirk moved closer and whispered in a low voice.

“There’s no one to compare you to.”

“What?”

“You would be the first.”

“….”

The completely unexpected statement left Reina’s mouth agape.

Just like Patrick, Earl Selkirk was also a virgin….

Rumor had it that no one had ever seen him with a woman, and it seemed to be true.

Reina looked at Earl Selkirk in disbelief. With his looks, manners, and abilities…. It just didn’t add up.

Patrick was always with his fellow knights, so it made sense for him, but the Earl attended every social event. How could he not have anyone?

“Lies. You’re popular, so why haven’t you had a lover?”

“Because no woman has stirred my desires?”

Earl Selkirk shrugged.

“What about me? I don’t think I’m any different from other women.”

“After hearing about the change in the necklace’s color, I’ve become quite interested. Of course, I have no intention of forcibly pursuing someone who dislikes me.”

Earl Selkirk added with a sly smile.

“But I am confident I can win a woman’s heart.”

He was indeed a man full of confidence.

After finishing their conversation, they emerged from the guest room together. Reina signaled for him to leave, but it seemed Earl Selkirk had more to say.

“Why? Do you have something else to say?”

“Are you sure you won’t regret it?”

“I won’t.”

“I think you might.”

Unlike Reina’s resolute gaze, Earl Selkirk’s eyes wavered slightly.

As Reina wondered about his wavering eyes, knowing he didn’t love her, the Earl took her hand and kissed the back of it.

His eyes met hers as he kissed, filled with certainty as if failure was not an option.

If he truly were her destined partner, she expected to feel a tingling sensation or something special, but there was nothing. She merely thought he was handsome.

“Your reaction is rather lukewarm.”

Seeing Reina’s indifferent expression, Earl Selkirk looked disappointed.

“My, it’s hot, very hot.”

Startled by Knox’s voice from behind, Reina quickly withdrew her hand. Turning around, she saw Deputy Commander Ford, Knox, and Patrick.

The guest room was right next to the study, so they had witnessed the entire scene.

Did they see what just happened?

Seeing Patrick’s stern expression, Reina felt flustered.

Of all people, Patrick had to see her getting kissed on the hand. What timing.

She felt frustrated with herself for creating such a situation after confidently declaring she wouldn’t be swayed.

She also felt a deep sense of betrayal by fate. Lately, it seemed to be working against her rather than in her favor.

Patrick, after a polite nod, entered the study with Deputy Commander Ford and Knox.

Is he angry? Well, he has every right to be.

She knew that whenever he was displeased, he wouldn’t approach her directly. He would just give a polite bow and leave.

I’ll have to explain the situation later, right?

Pondering how to explain her father’s push for an engagement with Earl Selkirk, Reina bid farewell to the Earl.

As they bowed to each other, Patrick re-emerged from the study and approached them.

“I need to borrow the young lady for a moment.”

“What?”

He took Reina’s hand and led her into the guest room next to the study. Reina, not understanding the situation, had no choice but to follow.