An Unexpected Proposal

July 13, 2020

"You were awake."

"I was waiting because I had something to ask Your Highness."

"Me?"

"Yes."

Her small nod, resembling a wobbling doll, was oddly endearing. Cabelenus allowed a faint smile to escape as he casually took a seat beside her. He didn’t want her to exhaust herself waiting for him, yet seeing her do so filled him with an undeniable sense of satisfaction.

"What could be so serious that you have such a solemn face?"

"It’s important."

Alicia nodded repeatedly, as if reassuring herself. She had wanted to speak with James longer, but with Lady Morco present, it was difficult to speak freely. If she carelessly brought up the topic in front of Lady Morco, it could put James in an uncomfortable position. Besides, this was an issue between her and Cabelenus—it wasn’t something a third party could resolve.

"I don’t know what it is, but speak freely. I’ll listen to anything you have to say."

"Well…"

Alicia hesitated, carefully choosing her words as she felt the warmth of his touch. At first, she wasn’t sure if she should ask such a thing, but the gentle affection in his fingertips as he brushed back her hair helped ease her nerves.

"Do you have another woman?"

"…What?"

A deep crease formed on Cabelenus’s smooth forehead. Alicia didn’t avert her gaze, even as his face twisted in displeasure. She wanted to hear the truth from his own lips, not anyone else’s.

"Where did you hear something like that?"

"Do you have another woman?"

"…"

"Why aren’t you answering? Do you really have someone else?"

Alicia’s expression faltered this time. Only then did Cabelenus snap out of his daze and urgently grasp her shoulders.

"I don’t. There’s no such thing."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

Her sharp gaze held a flicker of doubt, making Cabelenus scoff under his breath. She probably thought she looked intimidating, but to him, she was nothing but adorable.

"Then why did you hesitate?"

She even knew how to press further now. Watching her bristle like a cat with its fur raised, Cabelenus burst into laughter again. He never quite understood why people were so enamored with small animals, but now, he was beginning to see why.

"Why aren’t you answering and just laughing?"

"I just wasn’t expecting you to ask something like that."

"You told me to be honest."

"I did, didn’t I?"

He always found it gratifying to see her trying to change, refusing to let the past hold her back. Lowering his head, Cabelenus brushed a soft kiss against her lips. Though Alicia flushed in embarrassment, her resolve remained firm, her eyes still brimming with determination.

"You don’t have to look at me like that. I belong to you."

"Really?"

"What would it take for you to believe me?"

Cabelenus’s voice softened as he gazed at her. Alicia, still pouting, leaned her cheek into the palm of his hand. His touch was rough, hardened with calluses from wielding a sword for years, but she liked that about him. His warmth, the sheer size of his hands—large enough to cover her entire face—even the imperfections that made them appear less refined, she liked them all. But more than anything, she liked his eyes.

They were strange, almost beastly, and could strike fear into others. Yet, Alicia knew just how gentle they became when they looked at her.

"I want you to be my model."

"Model? What do you mean?"

"A painting model."

"That’s—"

"Your Highness, I want to paint you."

Before he could finish speaking, Alicia had already cut him off. She had painted him countless times before, but it wasn’t enough. She wanted to capture him perfectly, to commit every detail of him onto the canvas.

"There’s no point in painting someone like me. It wouldn’t be very interesting."

"That’s not true. Your Highness is fascinating."

Cabelenus blinked, momentarily at a loss for words. He had never heard such a description before.

"You think I’m… fascinating?"

"You are. And…"

"And?"

"You’re beautiful—very much so."

"That’s an unusual compliment."

He tried to recall the last time someone had called him beautiful. Maybe in his childhood, but ever since he had become a warrior, he hadn’t heard it once.

"And also, incredibly handsome."

"Well, that one I’ve heard before."

"Not just a little—you must have heard it a lot."

"Have I?"

Cabelenus glanced at her from the corner of his eye. Alicia’s expression remained sincere, and strangely enough, he found that he liked hearing those words from her. He had never cared much for compliments on his looks, but when she said it, it made him feel… good.

"That’s why it’s frustrating."

"What is?"

"It’s too difficult to fully capture Your Highness’s image on canvas."

"Are you saying you’ve painted me before?"

"…You won’t be mad, right?"

Saying everything and then hesitating now—it felt like cheating. Cabelenus sighed, relaxing his shoulders.

"Why would I be mad?"

"…I’ve painted Your Highness before. A lot."

"Why?"

"Because you’re the one I want to paint the most."

"…"

Cabelenus swallowed hard.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Because now, I want to see the paintings you’ve done."

He had never been interested in art, but after hearing her speak like this, he couldn’t help but be curious. Watching her beam with a sheepish yet radiant smile, Cabelenus smirked playfully.

"That might be a problem…"

"Is it difficult for you?"

Cabelenus tilted his head slightly. Alicia stared at him blankly before swallowing dryly. As expected, rather than painting him from memory, she wanted to capture him directly in front of her. She wanted to immortalize even the briefest moments of him on canvas, keeping them forever.@@novelbin@@

"My skills are lacking… I'll show you a proper painting once it's finished."

"But I want to see it now."

Cabelenus leaned in slightly. His upper body tilted noticeably to one side, but Alicia didn't seem wary in the slightest.

"It's embarrassing."

"I saw your work before—you’re quite skilled."

He liked that she wasn’t afraid of him, yet at the same time, it unsettled him. Holding onto that contradiction, Cabelenus openly cupped her face. The distance between them shrank until their noses nearly touched, and only then did Alicia’s face flush a deep red.

"T-That’s only because Nixon helped me."

"Nixon…?"

"James’s surname. Your Highness didn’t like me calling him by his first name, so…"

"I did say that. But…"

Would it be too petty to say that even hearing his surname annoyed him? Would she see him as childish? Cabelenus studied Alicia for a moment. Though she had grown accustomed to his presence, she still blushed under his intense gaze. He found that satisfying.

"If I recall, you called me something else back then."

"Something else?"

"My name."

He wanted to keep flustering her, to test just how much of an effect he had on her.

"That…"

"Is it still too difficult? Or should I go back to speaking formally like before—"

"Don’t!"

Realizing his intent, Alicia instinctively reached out and clamped her hand over his mouth. But once he started teasing her, there was no stopping him.

"I—I…"

Alicia froze the moment she felt the warmth of his lips against her palm. Her pupils, already wide, trembled violently. In that instant, his hand closed around her wrist. It was so delicate that he could easily encircle it with just one hand.

"I-I made a mistake… hngh."

Alicia bit her lip, unable to continue speaking. Even though she could have pulled away at any time, Cabelenus didn’t let her go. Instead, he lowered his lips and pressed a soft kiss onto her palm.

She stared at him with uncertainty, her anxious gaze searching for an answer, but Cabelenus said nothing. He simply kept his lips there, silent.

Alicia fidgeted with her free hand. He wasn’t even moving, just keeping his lips pressed against her skin, yet her mouth felt unbearably dry. A wave of heat spread from the spot where his lips met her palm.

"L-Let go."

Unable to endure it any longer, Alicia tried to pull her hand away. A small gap opened between them, and she let out a short sigh of relief. But it lasted only for a moment.

"I don’t want to."

His breath brushed over her skin as he traced his lips lightly against it, making Alicia regret pulling away. But there was nowhere to escape. Even though he wasn’t exerting any real force, she couldn't break free from his grip. Or perhaps… she didn’t want to.

Alicia gazed into his golden eyes, peering through the slightly narrowed slits of his pupils. They were unmistakably those of a predator.

"If you truly dislike it, push me away."

He didn’t want her to. Cabelenus lowered his lips, this time to the delicate skin of her inner wrist. Alicia watched in nervous anticipation.

His gaze was utterly inhuman, sending a shiver down her spine, yet she couldn’t look away. He kissed her wrists, slowly, deliberately, as if savoring his prey. And she couldn’t deny that she liked it.

Alicia hesitated before taking a deep breath. Then, locking eyes with him, she finally spoke.

"…Cabelenus."

"…"

It was just a name, one meant to be spoken. So why did her heart race like this? Her cheeks burned, but she ignored them, forcing her lips to move again.

"Cabelenus."

The first time had been the hardest. The second came a little easier. Emboldened, Alicia called his name once more, more confidently this time.

And then, her world flipped upside down.

"…Say it one more time."

Though he had released her hand, she still couldn’t move. Alicia swallowed hard as she realized she was now looking up at him. A soft cushion pressed against her back—only then did she realize she had been laid onto the bed.

"Just once more."

Like a child pleading, Cabelenus buried his face against her neck. His warm breath sent tingles down her skin, making her flush even deeper. Alicia hesitated, then carefully parted her lips.

"Cabelenus…"

Yet, she didn’t want to let go.

To say she wasn’t embarrassed would be a lie, but that wasn’t all she felt. The way he clung to her, seeking her presence, made her heart ache in a way she didn’t hate.

"Cabelenus von Blanche Schwarhan."

"…"

"Your name is too long. It’s hard to say."

Alicia muttered a small complaint. A long name was a symbol of power, something people envied. And yet, she sometimes wished his name weren’t so grand. He suited good things, but the weight of his name made him feel untouchable, too distant to hold onto.

"Then call me however you like."

"Can I?"

"Of course."

"Alicia."

His voice, barely above a whisper, caressed her ears.

Alicia reached out and pulled him into an embrace. No matter how overwhelming he was, she didn’t want to let go. It was impossible to turn away from something that made her feel this way.

If she had never tasted it, she wouldn’t know what she was missing. But once you’ve had a taste, forgetting is impossible—like how the mere thought of a lemon makes your mouth water.

Slowly, she tightened her arms around his neck. Their faces drew closer, and their lips met.

And in that instant, Alicia’s expression twisted.

"W-Wait…!"

She shoved at his shoulders, but her movements were frantic, more like a desperate struggle than a simple push.

"What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell again?"

Cabelenus immediately pulled away, scanning her face with concern. Her pale complexion and the way she clutched her hand over her mouth told him something was very wrong.

"N-No… just a moment…"

"Tell me your symptoms. No, I’ll call for a physician right now."

"I-I’m fine, really—ugh…!"

She tried to hold it back, but nausea surged uncontrollably. It felt like she needed to expel everything inside her to stop the churning sickness.

Gasping, Alicia pushed Cabelenus away and bolted from the bed, fleeing the room in a panic.

Left behind, Cabelenus stared after her, utterly bewildered.