THE ROYAL MATE

8. The Matchmaking

Clarissa and Miss Ruwina in the boutique just contemplated. They don't have an answer for what happened. After all, Clarissa and Michael were in the same room. Morris Carson had seen it happen to herself.

"It's better if I don't get married. No one will want to be with me," Clarissa said desperately. "Even though I found the man I love. But how could he want to be with a woman like me?"

Miss Ruwina was surprised by Clarissa's unethical words. "Why are you in despair, Miss? You're beautiful. You're kind and not a spoiled and annoying aristocrat, either. There are bachelors all over town who want to be with you. Try asking Loris Carson. He will want to propose to you," Miss Ruwina said. She couldn't accept Clarissa giving up. Nobody knows about destiny. "Rubbish gossip like this shouldn't dampen your spirits!"

Clarissa sighed. "Loris Carson? You're crazy, Miss Ruwina. I can't see anyone from the Carsons anymore. I can not!" Clarissa was so sure.

"Ah!" Suddenly, Miss Ruwina seemed to have just got an idea. She turned to Clarissa with a satisfied smile. "Why are you dizzy?" her words.

"What?" Clarissa suspected that her best friend suspected a crazy idea. "Don't say anything. You must have come up with a crazy idea!"

"Michael Carson can take responsibility," Miss Ruwina said.

"Oh, no" Clarissa was surprised and also expressed her refusal. "No way! I do not want to! Until I die, I don't want to be with Michael. He is the human I hate the most! I don't want to marry Michael!" Clarissa's voice was booming as if she was swearing.

Miss Ruwina held her head. She was surprised at her friend. At times like this, Clarissa still clings to her ego. "You don't think about your family?" Miss Ruwina asked. And suddenly, Clarissa was sluggish. She looked tiny.

"You are right. My family is very embarrassed right now. People wouldn't even invite us to important events in town. Fortunately, my father's business is running smoothly. Otherwise, we will die of shame."

Miss Ruwina tapped Clarissa's shoulder. She tried to advise her friend. "Talk to Michael. He will do his best to solve this problem," Miss Ruwina said again.

"Ah!" Clarissa was still in denial. She doesn't want to humble herself. But her family's reputation is at stake. She could not bear to see her mother, who dared not leave the house because of this gossip.

That afternoon, after the rain had stopped, Clarissa returned home. Miss Ruwina couldn't bear to let her best friend go home alone. She was also kind enough to take Clarissa using her beast car.

"Thank you, Miss Ruwina. You are my best friend," Lady Clarissa said as she was about to get out of the car. Miss Ruwina's car stopped quite a distance from Clarissa's gate. She couldn't be seen with a nobleman often. There would be another gossip if Clarissa befriended a tailor.

"You're welcome, Miss McLaren. Come down quickly. You must come in immediately," said Miss Ruwina.

Clarissa hugged her best friend. This friendship so touched her. After that, she got down and sneaked into the house. She went through the back door before someone called her.

"Miss Clarissa McLaren!"

Clarissa's steps stopped. She made sure he knew who it was. She turned and saw Michael Carson in front of her house. He smiled as if nothing had happened all this time.

"Michael? What are you doing here?" Clarissa asked. She just realized there were two cars in the yard.

"My father wants to talk to your parents," Michael said.

"What? Talk about what?" Clarissa asked.

Michael didn't answer. But Clarissa already thought it must be about the gossip between them. Clarissa ignored Michael. She immediately ran into the house. The Duke of and Loris Carson talked to Sharma and George MacLaren in the living room.

"Oh, my God! What is this?" Clarissa fears that she will be set up with Loris Carson. She would feel very sorry for Miss Ruwina. Moreover, Loris Carson is not healthy to bear responsibility for her mistakes.

"Oh, Clarissa." Sharma saw her daughter. She immediately stood up and approached her daughter.

"Mama, what happened? Why did Lord Carson come to our house?" Clarissa asked frantically.

"Don't ask anything. Were it not for The Duke's generosity, you would have been a virgin for the rest of your life!" Sharma immediately grabbed Clarissa's hand and took her to the men.

Clarissa had to smile. She greeted the guests even though she was still embarrassed by what had happened at The Duke's house.

"Oh, Lady Clarissa. You're all right, aren't you? I'm apprehensive about you. Please, sit down. I want to talk," Morris Carson said.

Clarissa immediately sat down awkwardly. She did not dare to look at those guests. But she had to show them her manners.

"I'm so sorry that what happened between you and Michael has caused gossip to hit you and the MacLarens. I'm also a little offended by the rumours. They talk without using their brains until everything that comes out is like garbage," Morris Carson repeated.

Clarissa began to dare to look at The Duke because he did not participate in ridiculing her. In this case, the woman will get a lousy judgment from society. But Morris Carson supported Clarissa.

"Your Grace," Clarissa said, deeply moved.

"I understand you must be very embarrassed. So do I. But Michael is a man. No one cares if he's an asshole, though," Morris Carson explained.

"Asshole?" Sharma couldn't believe the words had come from the Duke.

"Lord MacLaren, I came here to talk about all of this. I came on behalf of my son to propose to Miss Clarissa MacLaren with my second son, Michael Carson," said the Duke.

Hearing The Duke's words, Clarissa's head suddenly felt like spinning. She did not expect that Lord Carson would marry Michael to her instead of Loris. Sharma was also speechless. But she was so happy because, finally, her daughter had a hand in marriage. It didn't matter if it was Morris Carson's second son, Michael. Sharma remains satisfied because her daughter will be spared slander. After they got married, then this gossip would disappear.

Michael entered the room and stood next to Clarissa. He stared at Clarissa without speaking. Meanwhile, Clarissa just stared at Michael with all the confusion.

"I don't want to marry you, Michael" Clarissa mumbled slowly.