An Unexpected Proposal

June 18, 2020

"What if my talisman doesn’t please Your Highness?"

"That won’t happen."

"You don’t even know what I’ll give you. How can you be so sure?"

"It doesn’t matter. Whatever it is, I’ll be pleased with it."

He meant it. The object itself was irrelevant. A man like him, who had never lacked anything material, had no use for another possession. The only thing that mattered was how much Alicia thought of him while choosing it. He wanted her thoughts to be consumed by him.

Cabelenus swallowed his emotions, along with a sip of wine.

"Then… I’ll keep thinking about it."

Her slightly flushed cheeks looked tempting enough to bite.

Reaching out, he ran his thumb over her lips.

Alicia gasped, her eyes widening in surprise, but Cabelenus merely smiled, feigning ignorance.

"You had some sauce there."

Leisurely, he wiped his hand with a napkin.

"If you had told me, I would have wiped it off myself."

Covering her mouth with her hand, Alicia turned her face away in embarrassment.

"Then do that next time."

Cabelenus smirked as he watched her, red as a ripe harvest apple.

There had been no sauce on her lips. But his face was so composed that it was impossible to detect the lie.

"By the way, how long do you plan to keep speaking so formally with me?"

Before Alicia could catch on to his little deception, Cabelenus smoothly redirected the conversation.

Even though he had spent much of his life on the battlefield, he was still of royal blood. He had long mastered the art of courtly interactions—even deception, when necessary. Lying without a trace of hesitation was hardly difficult.@@novelbin@@

"But… You’re Your Highness…"

"Habits are difficult to break. You should start practicing early."

"T-That’s…"

Alicia, who had been so red just moments ago, suddenly turned pale.

She understood what he was asking but couldn’t bring herself to nod.

"I think it’s about time you called me by name."

"……."

"Or would you prefer we both stick to formalities, as a show of mutual respect?"

Alicia’s eyes widened to their limit.

She was so startled that her mind went blank, leaving her unable to respond.

"Why do you look so shocked?"

"……."

"If you refuse to speak casually, I could simply start speaking formally to you instead."

Unlike the composed Cabelenus, Alicia trembled as if she had heard something unthinkable.

It felt unnatural.

Cabelenus was a man meant to rule from above.

"…D-Don’t do that."

She barely managed to squeeze out a response.

But the man, still smirking mischievously, showed no intention of stopping.

"What do you mean?"

"D-Don’t… speak formally to me!"

"If someone desires something from another, shouldn’t they be willing to provide what that person wants in return?"

Wife.

His voice was low, but the weight of the word was heavy.

Alicia flinched, gripping her fork tightly.

Unlike her, Cabelenus was far too adept at this.

Realizing that, her mood plummeted.

"We’re not married yet."

"That will change soon enough."

If not, I’ll go mad waiting.

Cabelenus swallowed the words before they could leave his lips.

Premarital relations were not considered honorable among nobility.

It was far too late to be concerned about honor, but there was no reason to create unnecessary scandal.

The nobility valued appearances above all else.

And the better an illusion was crafted, the easier it was to be accepted into their society.

"You should get used to it. It will soon become natural."

"…Your Highness seems quite accustomed to this already."

"Rather than accustomed…"

Cabelenus trailed off when he noticed Alicia’s darkening expression.

"…Do you dislike it?"

Had he pushed too far?

His gaze stiffened slightly.

Alicia hesitated, glancing at him briefly before nodding.

"I don’t like it."

"……."

Her firm voice sent a chill down his spine.

But unlike him, Alicia didn’t stop speaking.

"Being skilled at something means you’ve done it before—with others. I don’t like that."

"……."

"I know it’s unrealistic, but… I wish I were your first."

The way you are mine.

Her voice softened, fingers fidgeting in her lap.

It had taken all her courage to say it.

But as soon as she saw the rigid look on his face, she grew uncertain.

"…You are the first."

"…What?"

"You’re the first for me, Alicia."

Where does she even learn how to say things like this?

Cabelenus exhaled heavily, rubbing his forehead.

It was ridiculous.

How could a single sentence from her shake him this much?

And yet, every time she spoke, he couldn’t help but listen.

"You’re the first woman I’ve ever wanted to hold. The first I’ve ever thought of as my wife. The first to make me restless. You are the first for all of it."

"Ah…"

"Is your mood better now?"

He let out a breathless chuckle.

He felt like a fool.

And yet, he couldn’t stop laughing.

"I never expected you to get jealous."

"…Well, you’re mine now."

"Yours?"

"Yes."

Alicia clenched her fists.

She had never possessed anything before.

Everything she had ever wanted had been taken away or destroyed.

So, she had learned to suppress her desires.

But not this time.

For the first time in her life, she had something of her own.

It still felt strange and uncertain.

But she had no intention of letting it go.

No matter what, she would hold on tightly.

"You gave yourself to me, didn’t you?"

Her gaze burned with unmistakable possession.

Cabelenus let out a slow breath.

She looked like a stubborn child, unwilling to let go of her newfound treasure.

Yet the intensity in her eyes sent a shiver down his spine.

His throat went dry.

Cabelenus had never thought of greed as a word that suited Alicia. But now, he realized he would have to reconsider.

The fierce determination in her ashen-gray eyes suited her far better than the detached indifference she once carried. And he loved it.

Because that desire—the one burning so clearly in her gaze—was directed at him.

Because he knew that this greed would become the chain binding her to his side.

"I never imagined someone would claim ownership over me."

Cabelenus let out a hollow chuckle, running a hand through his hair.

Should he be grateful that he was skilled at restraining his instincts? Or was it something to regret?

"H-However, it’s too late to take it back now."

She spoke those words so boldly, despite the apprehension in her eyes.

Or… was she truly afraid?

"My lady is not weak."

Recalling Lady Morco’s words, Cabelenus frowned.

Alicia had always been like this.

She looked so fragile, as if she might break at any moment.

And yet, she endured.

"If she had been raised differently…"

It was a pointless thought.

The past could not be undone.

And yet, Cabelenus couldn’t help but wonder.

Would things have been better if she had grown up in a kinder world, surrounded by people who truly cherished her?

"I won’t take it back."

Of course, that thought contradicted the relief he felt at her still being unpolished.

He reached out, wrapping his hand over Alicia’s clenched fist.

Her hands were small—small enough to fit entirely within his grip—but they no longer felt weak to him.

"Never let go. No matter what happens, hold on tightly. What is yours, you must protect."

His golden eyes gleamed.

If she wanted to claim him, she could.

He would let her.

In fact, he preferred it this way.

As long as he followed her lead, at least he wouldn’t be the one to break her.

Becoming a docile dog, voluntarily wearing a leash, wasn’t so difficult.

But that wouldn’t change what he was.

Even if a wolf wore a leash, it would never become a dog.

No matter how similar they might seem, a wolf was a wolf.

And a dog was a dog.

Even knowing that, Cabelenus tightened his grip on her hand.

***

"You seem to be in a particularly good mood today, my lady."

"Well, His Highness came to see me today."

"You must have had a pleasant time."

"Mm. It was a good time."

Lady Morco widened her eyes slightly before smiling.

A seasoned noblewoman, she immediately noticed the shift in Alicia’s demeanor.

"It looks like I should start adjusting your lesson plans."

A satisfied smile played on her lips.

Though Alicia still felt awkward dropping formalities, it didn’t matter.

She was persistent.

Soon enough, she would grow accustomed to speaking informally, and with time, she would carry herself as a proper noblewoman.

"There’s much to learn, so we must begin preparations. I have so much I wish to teach you."

"…Lady Morco, are you really okay with me becoming Grand Duchess?"

Lady Morco nodded without hesitation, making Alicia feel both grateful and uneasy.

"Of course."

Unlike Alicia, who was anxious, Lady Morco’s answer came without a second thought.

"Isn’t that too easy of an answer?"

"I haven’t known you for very long, my lady, but not once have you ever disappointed me. You always do well."

"That’s not something special. Anyone could do it. And besides, you taught me well."

Alicia gave a small, awkward smile.

She was trying, but she still felt awkward speaking informally to Lady Morco.

"There’s a difference between being able to do something and actually doing it. You’d be surprised how often people refuse to do what they can do. They make excuses, delay, or avoid things entirely—especially if it seems difficult."

"……."

"Stand tall, my lady. Doing your best in the duties given to you is admirable. And in my experience, people like that rarely disappoint others. That’s all there is to it."

"…Thank you."

Alicia’s expression relaxed slightly under the reassuring touch on her shoulder.

Lady Morco’s steady presence was a source of strength.

"It is my duty to serve you, my lady."

"I… I’ll do my best. I may be lacking now, but I will work hard."

"That’s lovely to hear, but for now, set that enthusiasm aside."

Lady Morco smiled as she watched Alicia, who was brimming with determination.

Every time she looked at her, it felt as though she were watching a sapling grow, sprouting taller each day.

"For now? What do you mean?"

"Education is important, of course. But first, there’s something else we should confirm."

"Confirm what?"

Alicia blinked in confusion.

Lady Morco hesitated for a moment.

Given Alicia’s upbringing, it was difficult to determine how much she knew.

Even though the possibility of pregnancy had crossed her mind, she had hesitated to bring it up.

But she couldn’t keep it from her forever.

Right now, the signs weren’t obvious, but as time passed, they would become impossible to hide.

And above all, Alicia had the right to know.

"It’s only my suspicion, but the symptoms you’ve been experiencing resemble those of early pregnancy. I think it would be wise to confirm it."

"…What did you just say?"

Alicia’s face twisted in confusion.

She had heard the words.

But she couldn’t grasp their meaning.

"Pregnancy."

"Say it again."

Alicia urged her.

"There may be a child growing inside you."

Alicia’s pupils trembled violently.

Lady Morco repeated the words several times.

But Alicia couldn’t process them.

It was as if she were hearing a completely foreign language.

"You seem very shocked."

Lady Morco took her hand, gently rubbing it in reassurance.

Alicia’s face had gone deathly pale.

"I… I…"

She couldn’t even finish her sentence.

Lowering her head, her gaze landed on her stomach.

But that was all.

No matter how long she looked, she couldn’t see anything.

"Is there really a child inside me?"

"It’s not certain yet. But based on my experience, I believe so. When I carried my own child, my symptoms were quite similar to yours."

"……."

"Are you worried?"

Alicia didn’t answer.

She simply nodded.

She should be happy.

New life should be something to celebrate.

But her thoughts were tangled in knots.

Countless worries and reasons swirled in her mind.

But in the end, only one thought remained.

Instinctively, she wrapped her arms around her stomach.