An Unexpected Proposal

August 20, 2020

"The weather was nice for a while, but lately, it’s been nothing but gloomy."

Alicia gazed up at the clouded sky, absentmindedly running her hand over her stomach. Though her pregnancy wasn’t yet obvious, she could feel the faint traces of the child inside her, and her hands kept wandering there without thinking.

"It must be almost hunting season again."

"Hunting season?"

"It’s also called Schwarhan’s winter."

Lady Morco smiled as she carefully adjusted Alicia’s cloak, which had started to slip from her shoulders.

"But isn’t it always winter in Schwarhan?"

"This is still considered warm. The real cold only comes after a few major snowstorms."

"I was just getting used to the cold, and now you’re telling me it’s going to get even worse? That’s terrifying."

"You don’t have to worry too much. You won’t be able to go out during hunting season anyway."

"Why? Because of the cold?"

"That’s one reason, but the real reason is the beasts."

Beasts. Alicia’s fingers twitched involuntarily. Lady Morco didn’t elaborate further, but Alicia clearly remembered what Cabelenus had told her—he claimed that the blood of beasts ran through his veins.@@novelbin@@

"For some reason, Schwarhan is overrun with beasts at the same time every year. Normally, they’re nowhere to be found, but once hunting season begins, they emerge as if drawn by something, causing havoc. That’s why the season got its name."

"…Beasts are terrifying, aren’t they?"

Alicia carefully observed Lady Morco’s expression. She hesitated for a moment before nodding.

"They’re as fearsome as Schwarhan’s winters."

"……"