An Unexpected Proposal

April 16, 2020

"You’re finally awake."

"……."

The first thing Alicia saw when she opened her eyes was a face so familiar that she instinctively swallowed dryly. Though her mind was still hazy from lingering sleep, those vivid golden eyes were impossible to mistake.

"Why aren’t you saying anything? Are you in pain?"

"……."

Alicia blankly stared at Cabelenus, as if under a trance, retracing what had happened to her.

Velita had attacked her.

She had confirmed that Elena was alive.

And at the end of it all… that man…

As soon as her thoughts reached that point, Alicia’s gaze darted around the room anxiously. The familiar bedroom looked peaceful, as if nothing had happened.

Only then did relief wash over her, and the tension drained from her body.

"I’ll call the physician."

Misinterpreting Alicia’s silence, Cabelenus immediately started to rise.

"Don’t go."

Alicia hastily grabbed the edge of his sleeve.

She didn’t know how long she had been unconscious, but even speaking left her throat dry and sore.

"…Are you alright?"

"Yes…"

She responded reflexively, though in truth, she wasn’t alright at all.

Her entire body ached as if she had been beaten.

"Even now, you’re lying."

Cabelenus clicked his tongue and reached out, placing a hand against her cheek.

Warm.

Like a cold-blooded creature drawn to heat, Alicia unconsciously leaned into his touch.

If she had been in her right mind, she would never have dared, but in her groggy state, everything felt distant and unreal.

"You slept for three days."

"Three days…?"

Had she really been asleep for that long?

It felt like she had merely dozed off.

Alicia’s eyes rolled in disbelief.

Now that she thought about it, Cabelenus’s face seemed slightly more gaunt than usual.

It was such a faint change that she wasn’t sure if she was imagining it.

"If you hadn’t woken up today, that physician wouldn’t have lived to see tomorrow."

"I-I’m sorry."

Alicia turned her head to the side.

"There’s nothing for you to apologize for. It’s my fault for not keeping the palace security in check."

Cabelenus frowned slightly at the loss of her warmth.

"Your Highness is busy."

"That’s a separate matter."

Cabelenus let out a short sigh.

He had always known about the rebel forces but hadn’t given them much thought.

Considering the state of Neuschwein’s army, the rebels were bound to be just as weak.

An ill-prepared force was better left alone until they exposed themselves rather than stirred into action.

That had always been his judgment.

And yet, this time, his decision had put Alicia’s life in danger.

"…The physician said you might have a scar on your palm."

He had wanted to apologize.

But the words wouldn’t come.

Instead, what left his mouth was something entirely different.

"This much is fine. I’ve always had scars."

"……."

"…Did I make another mistake?"

Alicia furrowed her brow.

"No."

Cabelenus shook his head, but his expression remained rigid.

"But…"

"I told you to stop looking over your shoulder."

"I’m sorry."

"I’ve lost count of how many times you’ve said that."

"S-Sorry—no, wait… um…"

Alicia struggled to find the right words before eventually pressing her lips shut.

Cabelenus exhaled another quiet sigh, looking down at her.

"There’s still a long way to go."

"……."

"But that’s alright. There’s plenty of time."

"I won’t rush you, so take your time."

Until you are truly okay.

Cabelenus left those final words unspoken as he placed a hand over her forehead.

There was no need to hurry.

Fulfilling all of Jerpeneus’s conditions and making Alicia the Grand Duchess would take time.

Her overly cautious glances, her tendency to flinch at the slightest touch—he would change all of it, little by little.

Because from now on, she would never leave his side.

***

"If you feel any pain, please let me know."

"N-No, I’m fine. There’s nothing else."

Alicia quickly shook her head from side to side.

It was her first time seeing a priest in person, but their reputation was well-known.

Healers were rare even within the vast empire, and their services were worth a fortune.

Even someone as naive to the world as Alicia knew that much.

She couldn’t begin to imagine how much Cabelenus had paid to bring a priest all the way to Neuschwein.

"Don’t hesitate. Speak properly."

Cabelenus scowled and grabbed her hand.

He had summoned the priest as soon as possible, but the distance from the capital to Neuschwein meant that Alicia had already woken up by the time they arrived.

It had driven him mad with frustration, but at the very least, he could now rid her of the scars covering her body.

"But… priestly healing is…"

She had heard that even a single session of healing required a significant price to be paid.

Spending a fortune to erase old scars that no longer hurt seemed wasteful.

"Stop spouting nonsense and start with this one."

Ignoring her protests, Cabelenus revealed her injuries to the priest, who silently began the healing process.

"That should take care of all the visible ones. Are there any others?"

"U-Um…"

Alicia hesitated, glancing at Cabelenus nervously.

"If you’re about to say you don’t need any more treatment, don’t bother."

"That’s not it…"

"I told you to speak clearly."

"It’s just… the scars are under my clothes…"

Alicia trailed off and lowered her head.

Cabelenus blinked at her for a moment before realizing what she meant.

With a sigh, he rubbed his forehead.

"That was careless of me."

He hesitated briefly before standing.

"I’ll leave. Make sure every last scar is healed."

He paused mid-sentence before cutting himself off.

Then, exhaling harshly, he turned on his heel and left the room.

"His Highness is surprisingly adorable."

The moment Cabelenus was gone, the priest chuckled.

"Huh?"

Alicia blinked at him, startled.

"Am I wrong?"

"Well…"

Alicia usually accepted others’ opinions without much resistance, but this time, she couldn’t nod so easily.

No matter how she thought about it, Cabelenus and adorable were two words that did not belong together.

"His Highness called me in such a rush that I wondered what had happened… And it turns out he’s been hiding away such a lovely lady."

"You seem to know His Highness well."

"I suppose you could say that. Not anymore, but when he was younger, I used to treat him often."

"I see."

Alicia forced an awkward smile and averted her gaze.

For some reason, her stomach felt unsettled.

"My name is Natalie," the priest said with a warm smile. "I am the twelfth priestess of the Flame Temple."

"Ah, I…"

Alicia hesitated, her lips pressing shut.

Priests abandoned their surnames in devotion to their god, but commoners did not.

Only slaves or the lowest of the low had no surnames.@@novelbin@@

If she revealed her name as Alicia von Neuschwein, it would expose her as the fallen princess of a ruined kingdom.

If she said nothing, it would confirm her status as a slave.

"It’s alright. I already know about you."

Natalie’s hand gently rested against Alicia’s back, her fingers glowing with a soft, divine light.

The scars beneath her touch faded so effortlessly it was almost unbelievable.

"You… know about me?"

"Yes."

Of course.

It had to be Cabelenus who told her.

Alicia bit her lip as she thought of the man who had just left the room.

There was no reason to feel disappointed, and yet…

The thought of Cabelenus telling Natalie everything made her stomach twist uncomfortably.

"…You mean, you know that I’m a slave?"

"If that upsets you, I’m sorry."

"What?"

"It’s only natural to feel uncomfortable when someone else learns things about you without your knowledge. Even if you get angry at me, I have no excuse."

Natalie spoke with such sincerity that Alicia’s eyes widened in surprise.

A priest with healing powers held a status comparable to nobility.

Even if Natalie struck Alicia across the face at this moment, no one would consider it a problem.

"I never intended to ask about you, but… He doesn’t have anyone to talk to. Whenever he’s at his limit, he comes to me and unloads everything."

"……."

For a moment, Alicia pictured Cabelenus sitting with Natalie, speaking to her.

It was difficult to imagine him having a heartfelt conversation with anyone.

And yet, looking at the warm, sunlit expression of the woman before her, it somehow made sense.

She radiated kindness, like the gentle warmth of spring sunlight.

"I truly am sorry," Natalie said again. "I apologize for overstepping. Are you very upset?"

"No, I’m not angry."

"Really? I thought you might be. People don’t usually like when their secrets are known."

"Actually, I was more worried that treating a slave would be unpleasant for you."

"A slave? And why would that matter? Before the gods, we are all just people."

Her conviction was unwavering, her eyes shining with an unshakable faith.

She wore no makeup, her robes were simple, and yet she had an undeniable radiance.

Not because of her beauty, but because of her presence.

"Don’t worry too much. Everything will turn out fine," Natalie reassured her. "Both of you are incredibly stubborn, but there’s only ever been one person who wins in the end. It’ll be the same this time."

She was a good person.

Even after exchanging only a few words, Alicia could tell.

And yet, strangely, the more she thought of Natalie as a good person, the more miserable she felt.

"…You seem very close to His Highness."

"Do I?" Natalie tilted her head. "Actually, that’s—"

"How much longer are you planning to take?"

Cabelenus’s voice cut through the room.

Natalie rolled her eyes dramatically.

"I’m almost done, so stop pacing outside the door. Clingy men aren’t attractive, you know."

"……."

Alicia’s heart pounded.

Natalie had spoken so casually, without the slightest hint of hesitation.

And Cabelenus hadn’t objected.

He hadn’t even found her words disrespectful.

That alone was enough to tell Alicia how close they were.

A heavy weight settled in her chest.

"You must not like when women have time to talk alone, Your Highness."

Natalie pouted playfully before finishing Alicia’s treatment.

Alicia, however, could no longer bring herself to smile at her.

She couldn’t erase the thought that Natalie and Cabelenus would make a perfect pair.

***

"How do you feel? Do you have any pain left?"

"I’m fine. Thanks to the priestess, I don’t hurt at all anymore."

As soon as the healing was complete, Natalie had excused herself, saying she had other matters to attend to.

Cabelenus had made no effort to stop her.

From what Alicia could tell, there really hadn’t been any deeper emotions between them.

"She’s highly skilled."

But despite knowing that, Alicia still found herself thinking about Natalie from time to time.

If Cabelenus were to marry, wouldn’t it be to someone like her?

She had the grace, the nobility, the presence…

She suited him.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

Cabelenus tilted his head, noticing her gaze.

"…It’s nothing."

Alicia quickly waved her hands, trying to dismiss her thoughts.

But her reaction was too strong.

That alone was enough to make him suspicious.

"If you have a question, ask it."

"I don’t."

What is your relationship with the priestess?

That question burned at the tip of her tongue.

But she swallowed it down.

A slave had no right to ask such things.

"I do."

"Huh?"

"You may not have questions for me, but I have one for you."

"……."

Cabelenus crossed his arms, his expression unreadable.

After a brief pause, he spoke.

"It’s a bit late to ask this, but… have you ever liked a man before?"

"W-What?"

The question was so unexpected that Alicia gaped like a fish out of water.

"Did you ever have someone you were interested in?"

"N-No… I never had time for such things."

"What about someone you felt a slight attraction to?"

"Of course not…"

Why was he asking this?

Alicia bit her lip, still unable to grasp his intent.

Meanwhile, Cabelenus simply nodded in satisfaction.

"That’s a relief."

What was?

Alicia nearly blurted the question out loud but barely managed to swallow it.

Cabelenus’s behavior had changed.

Ever since Velita’s attack, his treatment of Alicia had shifted.

There were whispers among the courtiers.

They claimed his favor had waned because he had stopped purchasing lavish gifts for her.

But Alicia knew better.

If anything, his obsession had only grown deeper.

When rumors about her began circulating, he had taken silent but decisive action.

He had armed Blanche’s soldiers inside the palace, their ominous black armor serving as a warning.

He hadn’t needed to give an order—just the sight of the soldiers, symbols of war and death, was enough.

Fear settled in, and the court fell silent.

No one dared to gossip about Cabelenus’s affections anymore.

No one spoke of Alicia either.

Cabelenus would no longer tolerate anyone speaking about his woman.