An Unexpected Proposal

July 2, 2020

Alicia’s mother had told her not to carry guilt, but she could not help it. After Alicia was born, her mother’s strength had slowly faded away, vanishing like a dried-up well. No matter how much she tried, she could not rid herself of the thought that if she had never been born, her mother’s life would not have ended in such a tragic way.

"She must have been a good person."

"…She was."

Alicia’s lips curled downward in a weak smile. Knowing what kind of person her mother had been only made her sorrow deeper.

"You must take after her, my lady."

Lady Morco’s gaze was warm as she met Alicia’s eyes. Alicia hesitated before shaking her head.

"I wanted to, but I don’t resemble her much."

"I’m sure you do. They say that parents and children are like mirrors of each other. It’s only natural to resemble her."

"Do you think so? That would be nice."

It was not something she had the right to say—especially when she could not even find it in herself to embrace her own child. Out of habit, Alicia ran her fingers over her lower abdomen. She knew there was nothing there, and yet her hand kept reaching for it.

"Is something wrong?"

"No, it’s nothing."

Alicia hurriedly pulled her hand away from her stomach. Yet the faint warmth of her own touch lingered, leaving her feeling inexplicably melancholic. She had never wanted a child, and that feeling had not changed. Yet, for some reason, she felt strangely hollow.

"If you’re feeling unwell, please tell me immediately."

"I’m fine for now. Besides, right now, I want to try recreating my mother’s soup."

"Do you remember anything else about it?"

"She would boil a pot full of strange herbs and water, making a large portion, but the taste was truly awful. Even when I was starving, I had no appetite for it."

A faint smile appeared on Alicia’s lips. Their life had been impoverished, yet the time she had spent with her mother had been happy.

"I don’t know exactly what went into the soup, but I remember it had a plant with a lot of vines and thorns. I think it must have been something that grew in a rough terrain."

"Why do you think that?"

"Well…"

Alicia fidgeted with her fingers. The soup had tasted so terrible that she had wanted to spit it out the moment it touched her tongue, but she had never once complained.

"I never asked directly, but every time she made that soup, my mother’s hands would be a mess. So I just assumed."

"……"

"Ah, do you think there might be a botanical encyclopedia in the castle? I might recognize the plant if I see an illustration."

"……"

"Would it be difficult to find?"

Alicia looked up at Lady Morco with wide, expectant eyes. Only then did Lady Morco snap out of her thoughts and take a step back.

"No, my lady. I will have it prepared by tomorrow."

"Thank you."

"However…"

Lady Morco hesitated, studying Alicia closely. Though her words seemed lighthearted, her expression did not. Alicia had always been strangely indifferent to her own pain. Lady Morco had noticed it time and time again. Growing numb to wounds was never a good thing.

"What is it? Is there something you want to say to me?"

"No, it’s nothing."

Lady Morco shook her head, though her eyes remained fixed on Alicia.

I thought she resembled Janet…

The first time she had seen Alicia, Lady Morco had been reminded of her old hunting dog. But now, looking at her again, Alicia did not resemble Janet at all. She bore a far greater resemblance to Cabelenus. The same look he had when he first arrived in Schwarhan as a young boy.

My lady must not follow the same path as His Highness…

Lady Morco frowned slightly as she recalled Cabelenus’s childhood. Her gaze darkened, as if weighed down by layers of heavy sediment.

***

"So, have you given my proposal any thought?"

Veloa lifted her chin gracefully, her expression unwavering.

"You mean our engagement?"

Cabelenus regarded her without a flicker of emotion.

"Yes, an engagement with marriage in mind."

The self-assured princess showed no sign of intimidation, even as she stood before the infamous Wolf of Schwarhan—a man feared by all. On the contrary, her gaze carried a triumphant glint, as if she already held the upper hand.

"It seems the princess has taken a liking to me."

"Would you prefer an honest answer or a polite one?"

"Honest."

The sooner this tiresome charade ended, the better. Cabelenus concealed his thoughts behind an indifferent expression, barely listening—his mind was already elsewhere, preoccupied with Alicia.

"Frankly, this frozen wasteland is unbearable. Its fashion is outdated, and its social scene is lacking. It’s no wonder people call it the land of death."

Veloa lightly shrugged, her slight frown making no effort to hide her distaste for Schwarhan.

"And yet, you wish to marry me?"

"Yes."

Veloa nodded without hesitation.

"May I ask why?"

"There’s no grand reason. I simply know that you will be the next emperor."

Her blue eyes gleamed with a calculating light. Despite the raw ambition in her gaze, her delicate features made it seem almost natural—like a jewel polished to perfection.

"Interesting."

"Do you find my words amusing?"

"I don’t dislike honesty."

Cabelenus murmured coolly.

"That should make things easier, then."

Veloa’s smile deepened.

"It all depends on what you can offer me in return."

"Are you testing my worth?"

"You assessed mine, so it’s only fair I do the same."

"You’re more interesting than I expected, Your Highness."

Veloa chuckled, her eyes curving into graceful arcs.

"So, do you dislike the idea?"

"No. I find it… satisfactory. There are very few men who speak to me as boldly as you do. It’s refreshing."

Veloa ran her fingers through her hair, tucking it behind her ear with a deliberate motion. Cabelenus’s gaze narrowed slightly. It was an obvious attempt at seduction, and she made no effort to hide it. Instead, she boldly exposed the pale column of her neck, laughing softly as if to tease him.

"Can I take that as a sign of agreement?"

"Since I find Your Highness far more agreeable than I expected, of course, it’s an affirmation."

"That’s good to hear."

Cabelenus gave a slight nod. He had already considered an engagement with Veloa. Among the nobility, engagements were fluid arrangements, shifting according to political advantages, and breaking them before marriage was not uncommon. Besides, Veloa was a princess from a foreign kingdom. Even if they were bound by an engagement, he would rarely have to see her. Using her as a convenient shield to obscure Alicia’s presence and breaking off the engagement at an opportune moment would suffice.

"I’m relieved that Your Highness feels the same as I do."

"Before that, the princess must first prove her worth."

Cabelenus lazily stroked his chin.

"Isn’t my mere existence proof enough?"

"……"

"Achieving the highest title in anything is no easy feat. And such a title naturally translates to power. Keeping me by your side would be an advantage in itself, Your Highness."

"Keeping a beautiful woman close may indeed garner envy, but nothing more."

"What did you say?"

"There are many things in this world that cannot be achieved with a pretty face alone. Beauty is fleeting—it withers far too easily."

It was about time he bared his fangs. Cabelenus let a hint of menace slip through his composed demeanor.

"You’re quite rude, Your Highness."

"The princess’s demeanor has been rather discourteous as well."

"If you treat me this way, you won’t get what you want."

"And if that happens, neither will you, Princess."

Cabelenus let out a languid smile. The once-confident Veloa now looked pale. The lethal aura of a beast who had spent years on the battlefield was not something a sheltered princess could endure.

"Think carefully, Your Highness. Treating me this way will not be beneficial to you."

"It won’t be beneficial, but neither will it be detrimental."

"What?"

"Even if it’s not you, there are many others who would bring me far better terms."

Cabelenus withdrew his killing intent and regarded Veloa indifferently. Watching her struggle to maintain composure, yet unable to hide her trembling voice, was almost amusing.

"Are you saying that it wouldn’t matter if it were someone else?"

Veloa’s eyes widened as she clenched her teeth. Her lofty pride had clearly been wounded, but for Cabelenus, that wasn’t a bad outcome. Those who had never experienced deprivation often didn’t know how to give up. Rather than handing her what she wanted outright, it was better to keep her on the edge—close enough to touch, yet just out of reach.

"This is a noble marriage."

"……"

"And more than that, it’s a union between two nations."

"……"

"If the results aren’t mutually beneficial, then there’s no reason to proceed at a loss. That’s all."

With that, Cabelenus said nothing more. Yet Veloa’s expression shifted several times.

As the silence stretched on, his thoughts drifted to Alicia, who was likely seeing the physician by now. He had summoned every renowned doctor in Schwarhan, yet none had been able to diagnose her illness. All he could do was watch as she withered away, unable to eat properly, growing thinner by the day. The helplessness gnawed at him, and this entire conversation felt increasingly tedious.

"Then, what exactly is it that Your Highness wants from me?"

"That is for the princess to determine. There is always a reason why someone is chosen over countless others."

"…The princess of Christi Kingdom, you mean?"

Not entirely dull, then. Cabelenus smirked as Veloa’s expression hardened in realization.

"From what I’ve gathered, the second princess of Christi is also unmarried."

"Do you think she’s as beautiful as I am?"

"I already told you—beauty isn’t what matters."

"……"

Cabelenus observed the young princess tremble with suppressed anger, as if swallowing an unbearable humiliation. It was easy to see that she had been raised with care, protected from the harsh realities of the world. Yet he couldn’t understand why Jerpeneus had chosen her.

Pushing aside thoughts of his inscrutable brother, Cabelenus uncrossed his arms. Whatever Jerpeneus’s motives were, the priority now was securing what he wanted.

"I have entertained the princess sufficiently. Now, it’s her turn."

His gaze sharpened. The only reason he had tolerated Veloa’s arrogance this far was because of magic. Schwarhan’s current level of magical development was woefully inadequate for the future. In this merciless land of unrelenting cold, survival depended on magic.

"What do you want from me?"

"That depends on what you have to offer."

The more advantages he could extract, the better. There was no need to set the terms himself—better to let her define them. Veloa, with her stubborn pride, would be compelled to showcase her worth.

"Treating me this way won’t benefit you."

"Just as you understand your own value, I understand mine. My position is limited, but the number of people vying for it is not. If I must marry, it is only natural to choose the option that brings the greatest advantage."

After all, it is the seat of the empress.

His added remark made Veloa’s gaze waver. Even now, she showed no sign of abandoning her ambition. Her pride may have taken a hit, but in the end, she would compromise.

"…Give me a few more days to think."

"If you need time to consult your father, take all the time you need. It was never a matter the young princess could handle alone, after all."

"I have never needed my father’s input. I always handle my own affairs."

Veloa’s voice carried a tinge of irritation, much like a child sulking at being called young.

"Ah, I see."

His placid response made Veloa’s expression twitch. No matter how she tried to mask it, her reactions only proved that she was not ready for the negotiation table. If anything, it made him question Jerpeneus’s true intentions.

Not that he cared to dwell on it. Right now, there was a far more pressing matter occupying his mind.

Cabelenus glanced at the clock and sighed inwardly. The physician should have finished his examination by now. He needed to send someone to check on Alicia’s condition. If possible, he wanted to go see her himself.

Another sleepless night, it seems.

Propping his chin on his hand, Cabelenus exhaled. He feigned indifference, but the truth was, the weight of uncertainty was suffocating. The sheer helplessness of waiting, unable to do anything, left him feeling restless and drained.@@novelbin@@