Chapter 1705: Going After Her White Crow Dish
Chapter 1705: Going After Her White Crow Dish
Chapter 1705: Going After Her White Crow Dish
She had just turned twenty and was facing immense pressure to get married.
Stanley, at the age of twenty-six, was also at the age where he should be getting married. With his
impeccable looks and demeanor, there was no reason why he wouldn't be in high demand.
It was strange that none of the wealthy young ladies in the Empire were pursuing him.
As Stanley caught Selena's curious gaze, his eyes grew intense.
He smiled slightly. "Do you want to know why?"
Selena nodded her head and carefully studied him. "It's strange that I'm being pressured to get married
while you're still single..."
Stanley chuckled. "Well... it's probably because the person I like doesn't know how much I like her."
Selena looked surprised at this revelation. "You have someone you like?"
It wasn't surprising that Selena didn't catch on earlier - she had grown up with Stanley and they were
both focused on their shared dream of a prosperous Empire where people could live happily.
After years of working together towards their goals, it was difficult for them to see each other as
anything more than colleagues or friends.
Furthermore, Selena had always been emotionally slow compared to others due to her upbringing and
education - unless Stanley made a move himself, she would never have guessed his feelings for her.
Stanley knew that the girl he liked naturally lacked emotional intelligence when it came to relationships;
this trait stemmed from both nature and nurture factors over many years.
As Selena grew up, she was always taught to prioritize the bigger picture and never focus on matters of
the heart. If it weren't for the love and care of her monarch and lady, her marriage would have been tied
to power as well.
The higher one stands, the less they have a sense of self.
For a queen, love is a luxury.
So Stanley waited patiently for her to grow up, hoping that she would experience the joy and happiness
that ordinary girls do in their marriages. But no one expected Osvaldo to come along halfway through.
That man stole Selena's heart.
Stanley's smile remained gentle as ever but there was something about him now that Selena couldn't
quite understand - sadness perhaps or regret mixed with condemnation. It weighed heavily on her
heart when he said: "I've liked her for many years but she never knew. She fell in love with someone
else."
Selena looked into his eyes feeling an overwhelming emotion inside herself. She wanted to comfort him
by saying something but didn't know what exactly to say. She had always been emotionally detached -
a white crow in terms of feelings throughout twenty years of memories where she had never
experienced any emotions before nor did she understand how it felt when someone you loved didn't
reciprocate your feelings or fell in love with someone else instead.
She just watched silently as Stanley struggled with his suppressed emotions until finally he spoke
again: "Selena... liking someone is precious and luxurious."
Especially when this love has been with a person for most of their life, it becomes irreplaceable.
"If I lose her, there will never be another."
"I will never marry again if I can't have her in this lifetime."
Selena looked at the seriousness and persistence in his eyes and was speechless for a moment.
For a split second, she had the urge to offer to arrange a marriage between Stanley and the daughter
of some wealthy aristocrat. But then she realized that the other woman didn't like Stanley and had
feelings for someone else. Forcing someone into a relationship would only hurt all three parties
involved.
As a girl, Selena instinctively resisted this forced love.
She raised her hand and patted Stanley's shoulder. "Stanley, don't be sad. You'll definitely find
happiness in the future."
The Queen was very open-minded and didn't believe that not getting married meant losing one's value
as a person.
As long as one is mentally strong, they can live well no matter what happens.
A man like Stanley doesn't need comfort from others either.
Stanley lowered his eyelashes and slowly said, "Your Majesty, since we both face similar difficulties...
why don't we get married?"
Selena "pfft"ed out all the tea she had just drunk when she heard him say that. She coughed violently
while staring at him with wide beautiful black eyes. Did he really think he could use her as his rebound
after being rejected by someone else?
Stanley gently patted her back, his tone devoid of any hint of strangeness. "There has to be a solution
to what the High Priestess and her followers are saying."
"After the return of the Regent, there will surely be unrest in the Empire."
"I just received some news that the Regent did not come back alone. She brought someone with her in
secret. If she gets married before you do, then you will face even greater pressure..."
After all, what mattered most to royalty was bloodline continuation.
An Empress with an heir would have more bargaining chips.
Selena's expression instantly became solemn.
Stanley looked at her thoughtful expression and spoke softly and persuasively. "I don't plan on getting
married for my entire life. If you marry me now, it can solve your urgent problem."
"As long as we solve this current issue, if you find someone you like in the future, this marriage can...
end at any time."
Stanley knew Selena too well.
If he rashly confessed his feelings to her while she had reservations about him, she would definitely Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!
refuse.
What Selena hated most was using other people's emotions for one's own gain.
But if it were an exchange of interests instead, things would be different.
After all, in Selena's memory so far there wasn't anyone whom she loved deeply into their bones.
Selena frowned and looked at Stanley. "But this is not fair to you..."
Stanley smiled faintly. "Your Majesty... if I cannot marry my beloved person then marriage has no
meaning for me."
Selena fell silent.
She wasn't one for formalities.
If she were, she wouldn't have gone directly to Osvaldo to get married.
A marriage of convenience was the best choice for her now, and it would solidify her position.
Especially since Stanley had grown up with her and they were a strong partnership without any worries
about the future.
And if the queen really had to get married, Stanley was the most suitable candidate in terms of status
and position.
But...
For a moment, Selena's eyes looked lost in thought.
She waved her hand. "Let me think about it."
Stanley nodded and turned to walk into his room. He grabbed a cloak on his way out and helped
Selena put it on before softly reminding her, "Don't stay up too late. Get some rest."
Selena remained silent without speaking as Stanley left quietly without interrupting her thoughts.
After Stanley left, Selena was alone in the room with only herself remaining behind.
Looking up at the bright moon above them, she whispered softly to herself,
"If you really exist, then when you hear that I'm getting married... you'll come out... won't you?"