Chapter 66

66 A Sense of Security

Aldrich’s POV:

I didn’t even dare to look at Selma’s expression. The southern Duke’s hint was too straightforward. She must have heard the hidden meaning behind it.

It was a trip called ‘escort’, but in reality, it was a ‘blind date’.

“You know,” I stammered. “The military camp doesn’t allow long leave for no reason. I’m afraid I can’t help you.”

“That’s why I went to ask for special permission from the King and the Queen.” The Duke winked at me, but I only felt it was fate’s merciless mockery.

This wasn’t right. It was too wrong.

I quickly calmed down.

The southern Duke was acting first and reporting later.

My father had already rejected the southern Duke’s invitation as I had suggested. Anyone with some social knowledge would know this was a polite rejection.

There was no way the southern Duke wouldn’t notice, but he still went about his way and applied for permission to leave the army from the highest leader. This was a form of coercion.

Did the southern Duke dote on his daughter to this extent that he was willing to use such underhanded means to force me to submit?

My intuition told me something was wrong, but reality didn’t allow me to overthink it. Selma had already left calmly.

I couldn’t get any clues from her expressionless face, but I could tell she was burning with anger.

I hurriedly chased after her and hurriedly bade her farewell, but Carolyn held onto my arm.

“Have you been to the Southern Pack? It’s no worse than the Lycan Pack. Let me tell you about the local customs and practices.”

Her warm invitation only made me feel annoyed. I didn’t understand why this father and daughter pair were even stickier than moon fudge.

“I’m sorry, I have some urgent matters to deal with.”

I couldn’t be bothered about being gentlemanly anymore as I shook off Carolyn’s hand and ran after Selma.

Carolyn, behind me, seemed to be complaining about something to the southern Duke. I didn’t care. I was willing to accept any subsequent accusations and punishments as long as they could eliminate Selma’s misunderstanding.

“Wait a moment!” I finally caught up to her. I grabbed Selma’s wrist and pulled her to a corner of the maze of shrubs. “I swear that things are not what you think. There is a huge misunderstanding here! I rejected him! I don’t know why they are holding on to me like this! I’ve never thought of loving someone else. Please believe me!”

Selma said coldly, “You rejected him. Does that mean this isn’t the first time the southern Duke has tried to set you up with Carolyn? When? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because I was afraid you would react like this,” I pleaded. “On the second night of the Moonlight Festival, my father suddenly asked me to go on a blind date with Carolyn. How could I agree to that? I immediately rejected it. Please believe me, I beg you, Selma.”

“So why did you hide it from me?” Selma’s eyes were brimming with tears.” You said you wouldn’t hide any secrets from me, didn’t you? You lied to me!”

Moon Goddess, her tears were more powerful than acid. They easily corroded my heart.

“I don’t want you to misunderstand,” I said incoherently. “I swear to Moon Goddess that I don’t have any other intentions. I kept it from you because I don’t want you to be troubled by these things.

“You are a kind girl, Selma. Although you always act like you don’t care, I can feel the hidden uneasiness you have when you face me.

“I was afraid that I didn’t give you enough security. I was afraid you would be even more upset if you knew about this, so I kept it from you.

“But now, I know I was wrong. I shouldn’t have used one contradiction to cover up another. I should have given you more security instead of grabbing onto what you’ve already lost.

“Please be angry at me, Selma. This is my fault. But please don’t look at me so coldly. I beg you, my lover, don’t give me the ‘death sentence’.”

I looked at her with hope, but Selma gently broke free from my hand.

Her expression was so sorrowful.

“This isn’t just your fault, Aldrich. Maybe we didn’t give each other enough security.” She said, “There are some secrets between us. There aren’t many, but they can’t be ignored. They’re also fatal enough.

“I don’t blame you. In fact, do you know? Even I don’t know why I’m angry.”

“I want to...”

“We need to calm down.”

Just like that, she passed the final sentence.

Selma left. I did not notice when she left because the moment she said that, it was as if my soul had been taken away by the witch, leaving me with a chaotic body to face this sad world.

After a long while, I realized that Selma had ‘broken up’ with me.

Her words were ambiguous, but the meaning was clear.

I didn’t understand.

It was just a small secret.

How did things come to this?