THE ROYAL MATE

3. The Disaster

Tonight, the matchmaking season begins. The ladies in Winny seemed enthusiastic about participating this season. News about Michael Carson's arrival quickly spread, even though Michael hadn't lived in Winny for fifteen years. But everyone knew that Michael was the future Duke's younger brother. Michael is very handsome—no less than his brother. The difference is that Loris is wise. All of that, of course, was because he was a Duke candidate. Michael had no obligation to be a wise man like his brother. Michael just needs to be himself.

Unfortunately, the enthusiasm of the ladies to join the matchmaking season was not felt by Clarissa. Clarissa was unsure if she could meet a man who could make her fall in love. She seemed to have given up on finding a mate like this time.

When Clarissa went to Miss Ruwina's place, she had to pick up the dress herself because Miss Ruwina was flooded with orders. As a good friend, Clarissa doesn't want to be a bother. She should have gone with her mother. But some of Lord MacLaren's guests came, so Sharma had to sit by the guests bragging about her kids or her husband's booming business. The MacLaren family is indeed in its prime. The tobacco business is currently selling well. All this because a cigarette factory just stood at the end of Winny town. Lord George MacLaren has a huge tobacco garden. In the past, businesses might have had problems because exports were too far away. He had to be on the ship for months. Now there is a cigarette factory in Winny, like a world inflicted on the MacLaren family.

"Why does your face look like you've been given vinegar? Sour and dry," Miss Ruwina murmured as she stuffed MacLaren's dress order. She had been watching Clarissa's attitude for half an hour when Clarissa walked into her boutique.

Carissa sighed again. Her face is sad. It was as if the world had stopped, and there would be no other world anymore. "My mother threatened me. If I don't find a soul mate this season, my parents will set me up with someone else. You know, Miss Ruwina? I don't want to marry a man I don't love. I don't want to spend the rest of my life with someone who doesn't even excite me."

"Shh!" Miss Ruwina covered her lips with her index finger. "How do you know the word 'passionate'? Remember, you're a noble." Miss Ruwina knew that Clarisa was just talking. But such words were unbecoming of an honourable woman like Clarissa.

"It's just you and me in this place. Why should I be honourable?" Clarissa leaned her body against the neatly arranged pile of cloth behind. Miss Ruwina left this action alone. The dress wouldn't struggle just because it was Clarissa's support.

"It seems your mother wants you to be with Loris Carson. He's good," said Miss Ruwina in a heavy tone. Now and then, she glanced at Clarissa.

"I don't want to hurt your heart. Every girl in this town likes Loris. So are you!" Clarissa pointed to Miss Ruwina. "I can't betray my best friend."

Miss Ruwina smiled. She knew that Clarisa was just comforting her. Whatever the reason, Miss Ruwina had no right to feel for Loris. Their social strata are different. Loris will never be able to be obtained by Miss Ruwina. That is for sure.

"You can marry him. I won't be angry. I'll never get it anyway. It's better if he is with you," Miss Ruwina said.

Miss Ruwina's answer made Clara feel guilty. Just because of social status can make a person's opportunity to be unequal. This world is unfair.

"Or you can with Michael Carson?" Suddenly a strange idea appeared in Miss Ruwina's head. She had finished packing the MacLaren Family's dress. Now she had free time to chat with Clarissa. Place the order. She then approached Clarissa. "Michael will come to the party tonight too. Dance with him," said Miss Ruwina.

"Hah? Are you crazy? Michael? Impossible! What are you with that guy for? He's just an annoying prankster!" Clarissa still remembers the shoes you hid, Michael. Carissa hated him.

"Why are you still remembering the past? That was when you were little. By now, Michael must have changed. He is now a grown man. He must be very handsome, like Loris Carson. Don't underestimate it. You'll probably fall in love with him."

Clarissa poked Miss Ruwina's arm with her elbow. He felt that Miss Ruwina's words did not make sense. "You are crazy. I will never fall in love with him."

Miss Ruwina looked at Clarissa. He tried to find an opening through those brown eyes. Miss Ruwina found great confidence in Clarissa.

"Okay. You just marry Loris." Miss Ruwina also gave her blessing. "He has to meet the right woman. Being a Duchess is not easy. You are suitable to be in that position.

Clarissa gave up talking to Miss Ruwina. It's four in the afternoon. She had to go home soon. Or the mother will nag. Clarissa approached the parcel of her order. She carried it herself to take home.

"Are you going home already?" Miss Ruwina asked.

"Yeah, you know what my mother is like, right?" It seemed that Clarissa didn't need to explain to Miss Ruwina. Clarissa came out with her message. There have been so many ladies who want to take their dress orders.

Once out of Miss Ruwina's boutique, Clarissa did not find the driver, Mr. Barrow. In contrast, Mr. Barrow should have waited in front of the boutique. There's no car either.

"Ah, should I walk? This is annoying," Clarissa grumbled. She decided to turn around. Carissa wanted to get home soon. So she had to turn around. She had to be home before five o'clock because the matchmaking season event was held at seven in the evening.

When Clarissa turned around, she forgot to ensure no one was behind her. She bumped into someone

"Please, forgive me. I don't know...." Clarissa's words stopped when she saw the person who collided with her. "Mi-Michael?"

That man was slightly surprised because the woman before him called his name as if he knew him. Michael looked up. He wanted to find out who this woman was. As soon as he saw the figure of the woman who bumped into him, it was Clarissa. A mischievous smile tugged at Michael's lips.

"Miss Clarissa MacLaren," he said without breaking the smile on his face.

Meeting Michael was a disaster for Clarissa. Suddenly a memory of shoes popped into his head. Clarissa had to leave immediately. It wouldn't be good if she were seen standing with this man. Michael would make fun of her. He mocked her for not getting married in her old age to a woman.

"May I know why you are here, Lady Clarissa?" Michael asked. He looked around to ensure that Clarissa was with a maid or escort.

"None of your business!" Clarissa answered Michael's question curtly. There was no point in talking to Michael for her and wasting time.

Michael was amused when he saw Clarissa's angry face at him. He knew well that the two had never been acute since childhood. Michael deliberately approached Clarissa. He stepped forward idly until Clarisa backed away. Michael brought his face closer to Clarissa's. She was afraid that Michael would do something terrible.

"W-what do you want to do?" Clarissa shrieked. She didn't want anyone to see her talking to Michael. She did not want to be involved in a scandal with Michael.

"You are alone, Miss McLaren. Where's your husband?" Michael deliberately mocked Michael. That question certainly made Clarissa nervous. Instantly her anger could not be contained.

"I don't have a husband! Why?" Clarissa couldn't hold back her emotions anymore. Clarissa got angry quickly every time she saw Michael, even though she was not grumpy.

Michael smiled triumphantly. His enemies since childhood can easily be made emotional by him. "You're too picky. You can marry Lord Gibson. You will be happy."

Lord Gibson? An older man was living alone at the end of Winny town. The man is rich. But his attitude was strange. He was almost fifty years old. It's excellent ridicule. If possible, Clarissa would love to slap Michael in the face. But a noble can't be barbaric. This attitude will also make his reputation worse.

"I don't have time to talk to you. I must go home!" Clarissa chose to walk away from Michael. She walked so fast that she didn't realize she was passing the driver. It turned out that Mr. Barrow was waiting for some distance from the boutique.

"Miss McLaren." Mr. Barrow called out to Clarissa, who called out to her.

With a jolt, Clarisa turned her head. Her face was red with anger. "What?"

***

At Lord McLaren's Mansion, were the matchmaking season is held.

Sharma was leaving the car when he had to ask her daughter to come down with him. Clarissa had been dispirited from the start. Sharma was distraught that her daughter would not meet her thrilling bachelor candidate.

"Smile," Sharma said. He lightly patted his daughter's cheek.

Clarissa rolled her eyes. She let out a long breath. Not because he was nervous. But because the mood is messed up after meeting Michael this afternoon.

Sharma took her daughter's hand, wearing a beautiful white glove. Moreover, the dusty-colored silk dress was decorated with a few small Cherry flowers. It made Clarissa so beautiful tonight.

They entered through the streets decorated with beautiful flowers. Lord McLaren kindly allowed his house to be decorated beautifully. Yet everyone knows Lord McLaren is a very rigid military man.

Once inside, they were greeted by the sight of Winny's adies, who were beautifully dressed. Colorful dresses adorn the party venue. Everyone hopes to meet their soulmate after this event.

Clarissa didn't want to say hello to anyone. Instead, he walked to the table where the food and drinks were served. Clarissa took a glass of lemonade and gulped it down. She had been feeling uncomfortable ever since.

"Are you thirsty, Clarissa?" The bass voice of Loris Carson sounded very familiar to Clarissa's ears. She choked in surprise.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Clarissa." Loris Carson felt guilty for greeting Clarissa while she was drinking.