Chapter 283
Alpha's Rejected Mate Returns as Queen
283 Never Lose Contact
Selma Payneâs POV:
âBut now youâre a princess, and weâre just civilians,â Mara said uncertainly. âWe didnât know before, but now youâre... Moon Goddess! What am I talking about?â
I pulled them to the sofa and gave them a glass of cold blueberry juice each.
âDrink something to lower your temperature. You look like youâre about to faint.â
As for our relationship, Iâd be frank.âThereâs no need to feel any burden, girls. Thereâs no conflict between Madeline and Selma. Iâm not the symbol figure in the mural. I have my own life outside my duties as a Princess, including my friends. Disclosing my identity wonât change our friendship. You are my precious friends, so please donât make me lose you.â
Seeing their hesitant expressions, I pretended to be pitiful and said, âOf course, if this makes you feel burdened, then forget it. I cherish you, but I donât want to use my power to oppress others. If our relationship is a burden to you, I will respect your decision and promise I will never disturb you again.â
Unlike her strong appearance, the soft-hearted Avril was always the first to give in. âOh, come on... you know that we also cherish you. We need some time to digest this sudden change. Now that you mention it, what should we call you? Selma? Or should I call you Madeline?â
My expression immediately brightened up, and I happily said, âActually, you can call me whatever you want. Selma and Madeline are both my real names.â
âSelma, then,â the girls said. âWeâre used to calling you that.â
Mara and Avril were slightly restrained at first, but after we had some fun, as usual, they returned to being the sweet little girls I was familiar with.
Avril was a little worried about the wedding. âCan you still be my bridesmaid? I heard that there is a clear distinction between the ranks of the royal family and nobles. Nobles canât be guests such as bridesmaids or flower boys and girls for commoners, not to mention that you are a Princess.â
âDonât worry.â I shook my head. âBefore Iâm officially crowned, my status as a Princess is partially legal. Itâs not a problem for me to attend your wedding as a royal family member. Besides, this is my personal schedule. There wonât be a bunch of reporters following me, so I can do whatever I want.â
Avril and Perrin had already gotten the âsafeâ sign from the Intelligence Agency, which meant that there would be no hidden dangers in attending their wedding. My parents would not object.
Time passed by quickly. It was evening, and Mara and Avril were about to leave.
Before they left, they said, âIâm glad you still treat us as friends, Selma. To be honest, weâre afraid youâll abandon this friendship. Youâre a precious friend; losing you will break our hearts.â
I hugged them and said, âDonât worry, girls. Didnât we agree never to lose contact? Iâm looking forward to seeing you old men in your seventies and eighties with a face full of wrinkles!â
Under the setting sun, they waved at me and left in the car.
âSuch sincere girls. I envy you, Your Highness.â Looking at the back of the car, Jordin was a little lost. âIâve never had such a good friend. The communication between nobles is always inevitably mixed with benefits and calculations. Any truth carries immeasurable risks.â
âDonât say that. You already have such a friend.â I patted her hand. âMara and Avril are already your good friends, arenât they? And Dorothy and I, you forgot about us? Oh, Iâm so sad...â
Emma also pretended to sneer and said, âBenefits? Schemes? I canât believe you think of me this way, Lady of Mirror Lake. Perhaps Iâll have to get out of my family before I can have the honor of continuing to be your acquaintance?â
Facing our âquestioningâ, Jordin was helpless and explained, âWhat I mean is, Iâve never had friends as sincere as you guys... Alright, alright, I was wrong. I didnât choose my words carefully. I beg all the warm-hearted ladies to spare me, this bad person with a clumsy mouth, okay?â
As we laughed and joked around.
A week before the wedding, Avril had sent an invitation, along with one for Aldrich.
She passed the invitation to me mysteriously and asked in a low voice, âThat, you and general Aldrich, are you... Hmm?â
âWhat?â
âI mean, are you two in a relationship?â
âWhat?â I was shocked. âYouâre just saying such nonsense.â
Avril stopped pretending and vowed, âDonât give me that. I know that you two are hiding something from us. Even though Iâve only seen Sir Aldrich a few times, the undercurrent between the two of you canât escape my eyes.â
âDonât talk nonsense. Itâs all your wild guess.â
âIâm just randomly guessing! Do you remember when we had a dormitory gathering, Perrin sent you and Dorothy off, and Sir Aldrich came to pick you up?â
âI remember, but so what?â