"You got here first."
Cabelenus spotted Alicia sitting in the dining room and walked over.
"You’re here?"
Alicia sprang to her feet like a puppy greeting its owner.
It hadn’t been a long separation, but after spending so much time together, the distance left her feeling strangely empty.
Besides, thanks to Madame Morco’s help, Alicia was dressed up.
She couldn’t help but secretly anticipate Cabelenus’s reaction.
"You must be hungry. Let’s eat right away.”
But contrary to Alicia’s hopes, Cabelenus simply took his seat with an indifferent expression.
Alicia hesitated briefly, then sat down after him.
Even as the food was being served, she kept glancing at him in hope, but Cabelenus showed little reaction.
"I’m not sure if the food in Schwarhan will suit your taste."
"It’s fine."
"Unlike the South, the northern regions don’t use a lot of spices, so it might taste rather bland to you."
"I see."
"Alicia."
"Yes, yes... ah."
Alicia, who had been replying out of obligation, gave an awkward smile as she felt his gaze on her face.
Cabelenus, his chin tilted at an angle, was narrowing his eyes as he looked at her.
"What are you thinking about?"
"Well..."
A flush of red spread across Alicia’s pale cheeks.
It was too embarrassing to admit she had been hoping for a compliment.
"Tell me."
"...Do I really have to say it?"
"If you'd rather I make assumptions about your thoughts, I’d be happy to."
Cabelenus gave a small nod.
Not knowing what to do, Alicia’s lips moved soundlessly before she squeezed her eyes shut.
"...I thought you might say I looked different."
"..."
"It’s embarrassing, but... I actually thought I looked a little prettier..."
As expected, saying something like this was mortifying.
Alicia couldn’t bring herself to lift her head and instead poked at her innocent vegetables with a fork.
"I’ve never once in my life said something was pretty."
"Yes, I’m sure you haven’t."
Alicia nodded vigorously, but somehow, that only grated on Cabelenus’s nerves.
Cabelenus furrowed his brow slightly, then finally spoke.
"Really?"
"Yes."
"..."
"..."
But that wasn’t quite the answer he’d wanted.
As he looked at Alicia’s head bowed even lower, the crease between Cabelenus’s brows deepened.
Cabelenus hesitated for a moment, then spoke again.
"...I found myself wanting to kiss you."
"What?"
Alicia’s fork froze in place.
She could still feel Cabelenus’s burning gaze, but she couldn’t bring herself to look up.
"And, it felt unpleasant.”
Cabelenus gave a slow nod.
The way the dress softly traced her figure as she moved suited Alicia well; however, the thought that others might think the same soured his mood.
When they first met, she had been so shabby no one would spare her a glance. Now, that was no longer true.
That fact pleased him — and unsettled him. And it wasn’t just a fleeting feeling.
"Th-then should I not wear this again?"
A surge of heat flared up and quickly subsided.
Startled, Alicia instinctively lifted her head.
"No. If you want to wear it, then wear it. That’s not something I should control."
"But... you said it felt unpleasant."
“It felt unpleasant. But that’s just my opinion. It’s not yours.”
"I don’t want to do anything that displeases you, Your Highness."
She didn’t want to be hated.
She wanted to stay like this — with him.
Alicia looked at Cabelenus with desperate, searching eyes.
"I don’t like other people looking at you — anyone but me."
"What?"
"Sometimes I think, it wouldn’t be so bad to lock you away, so I’d be the only one who could see you."
"..."
"Even so, would you still comply, just because I said I was displeased?"
Cabelenus lifted his chin ever so slightly.
Beneath the dazzling chandelier, his gleaming eyes were as menacing as a fierce beast
"I just..."
"It would be easy to simply command you. But that’s not what I want. I want you to become someone who can make your own choices and judgments."
"Why?"
“Because I want to see.”
Cabelenus stroked his chin, finally revealing what he had kept hidden.
What he wanted wasn’t an obedient slave, but a wife who stood beside him as an equal.
The lady of the house — a noble position respected by all and accepted without question.
Cabelenus intended to raise Alicia up to where he stood.
"The reason I don’t like that dress is because now I realise you must look pretty to others too."
"B-but... you said you’ve never called anything pretty..."
The heat she thought had settled flared back up again.
Alicia stammered, unsure of what she was even saying.
"I said I’ve never done it before, but I never said I wouldn’t do it."
"..."
At this rate, her heart felt like it might burst.
Alicia stared at Cabelenus in a daze, then quickly lowered her head as reality struck her.
If she didn’t, she wouldn’t be able to hide how flushed her face had become.
Beneath the table, her fingers fidgeted restlessly for a long while — until finally, she gave a small nod.
"...I want to wear it."
She had no idea how much she agonised before saying those few words.
Carefully lifting her head, Alicia stole a glance at Cabelenus, bracing herself.
Although she said something that could have upset him, he didn't seem bothered.
"All right. Do as you wish."
He simply answered calmly while slicing the meat.
Alicia glanced at him several times before finally picking up her own utensils.
There were many pieces of silverware, but there was no need to worry about how to use them.
Cabelenus, who started eating first, moved slowly, so it wasn’t too difficult to follow his lead.
・・・・・
"Shall I do it like this?"
"You answered correctly, but just now, you used honorifics with me again."
"Ah, I apologise — no, I mean, I’m sorry."
"It’s okay. Changing many things all at once is difficult. You’re doing well, so don’t be too discouraged."
Madame Morco smiled gently and set down her teacup.
"Still, I want to do it well."
Alicia smiled awkwardly and followed her example, placing her teacup down.
It was still hard to set the cup down as quietly as Madame Morco did or to speak to her with such casual ease.
But learning something new was always exciting and fun, and she found herself feeling unexpectedly uplifted.
"There’s no need to rush, so don’t worry too much. If using honorifics feels uncomfortable, you can always try again later."
"...Is that really okay?"
She knew that practising continuously was the only way to get used to it, but Madame Morco was a noblewoman and much older than Alicia.
Although she was told to speak casually, Alicia was conscious of her own social status, so it was still hard to do so.
"Of course. If you’re feeling uncomfortable, you can wait until you feel more at ease. Especially since you, my lady, haven’t been in Schwarhan for very long. I understand that just getting used to an unfamiliar environment can be difficult. You don’t have to push yourself."
"Thank you."
"Not at all. It’s my duty to look after your well-being."
Madame Morco replied lightly, then instructed Shirin to bring the candy jar.
After every lesson, Madame Morco would always give Alicia a piece of candy.
"You did very well today. That’s all for today’s lesson."
"Are you giving me candy again today?"
"It’s both a sweet bribe and a reward."
Madame Morco used small tongs to take a candy from the glass jar.
The candy, made by the chef of the Morco estate, was delightfully sweet and tangy.
Having grown accustomed to its taste, Alicia now found herself naturally salivating at just the sight of the jar.
"A bribe?"
"Effort isn’t always visible, so it’s easy to feel disappointed, but the sweetness that spreads in your mouth — that you can feel right away."
Madame Morco smiled warmly as she handed Alicia the candy.
As soon as Alicia placed it in her mouth, the sweet flavour blossomed instantly.
"That’s true."
"Whenever learning feels difficult, remember this sweetness. Even if the journey is hard, when you finally grasp what you desire, it will be sweeter than today’s candy."
What she desired.
Alicia savoured the sweetness melting on the tip of her tongue as she thought about the man who was probably flipping through documents right now.
Even though she knew it wasn’t something she could achieve by effort alone, there was only one thing she truly wanted.
"Oh, and as I mentioned earlier, we’re expecting a guest today."
"Do I have to get fitted for clothes again?"
"Clothes? No. The guest coming to see you today isn’t a tailor, but a painter."
"A painter?"
Alicia's eyes widened.
"Yes. In fact, they’re one of the most famous emerging painters in Schwarhan lately. It seems there was a bit of misunderstanding while conveying the message."
"A painter is coming to see me?"
"I heard you were going to commission a new version of your existing painting, is that correct?"
For a moment, Alicia froze.
She only had one painting.
"I haven’t actually seen it myself yet, but I heard that painter is very skilled at portraits."
Hearing the word “portrait” only strengthened her conviction.
Alicia clenched her fist, thinking of Cabelenus.
After returning to Schwarhan, he had been incredibly busy.
He worked tirelessly day and night to make up for his long absence.
It was hard to have meals together often, and she could barely see his face except at night.
But a painter?
Since it was something she had never even considered, Alicia felt a tighter knot form in her throat.
“Because he’s a new painter, you might think he’s not very reliable, but don’t worry too much — I’m certain of his skill.”
"..."
“Portraits are especially difficult. Everyone sees things differently, and the subject of the portrait usually wants to look their best. But if it’s too idealised, they get upset because it doesn’t look like them. Still, I’ve heard that everyone who’s entrusted their portraits to this painter has only praised his work.”
Madame Morco, misunderstanding Alicia’s expression, quickly filled the silence with praise for the artist.
But Alicia was lost deep in thought and barely paid attention to what was being said.
“If you really feel uncomfortable with it, shall I just cancel his visit?”
"Pardon?"
“If the lady doesn’t like the painter—”
"No!"
Alicia snapped back to reality and exclaimed urgently.
Then, she quickly swallowed and immediately continued.
“No! It’s definitely not that I’m dissatisfied!”
She already knew there was no comparison between her picture and one painted by a skilled artist.
She had heard that a painting by a talented painter looked almost alive.
She didn’t want to miss the chance to see her mother again.
“You don’t have to speak so urgently. I won’t do anything you don’t want, so please relax.”
"I'm sorry."
“No need to apologise. You only need to give the order. ‘Bring the painter.’ That’s all.”
Although Madame Morco seemed friendly, the distinction between superiors and subordinates was clear.
Alicia swallowed hard as she looked at Madame Morco, who was waiting for her command.
“Bring me the painter. And my portrait, too.”
"Yes, my lady."
Madame Morco smiled gently and called Shizuna and Shirin.
Not long after, a young man carrying an artist’s case entered the room.
“Hello, I’m James Nixon, the painter.”
The silver-haired man bowed politely toward Alicia.
For a moment, silence filled the room.
He was a man so beautiful that one could be lost in admiration.
His hair was simply tied back in a plain style, and his shirt’s sleeves were worn at the edges, showing no sign of being dressed up — but nothing else came to mind except that his handsome face was flawlessly perfect.
Looking at him, it felt almost like a dream.
"Nice to meet you."
Alicia was the first to smile at James.
Unlike the others, she was the only one who remained unaffected even after looking at James.
"It’s an honour to meet you as well. If it’s alright, may I address you as ‘my lady’?"
Only after James set down his case did Madame Morco and the maids regain their composure.
They quickly composed themselves as if nothing had happened, but their earlobes were faintly flushed.
“Yes, everyone calls me that, so please do the same, sir.”
"..."
"What’s the matter?"
“My lady, he is not a noble.”
Madame Morco whispered quietly enough for only Alicia to hear.
"Then what should I call you..."
"You can simply use my first or last name. There's no need for formal titles."
"Ah, yes. I understand, no — I got it."
Gathering her resolve, Alicia took a deep breath and met James’s gaze once more.
Then, with a face full of tension, she carefully parted her lips.
Until now, she had only met people from Cabelenus, but James was different.
She couldn’t help but feel cautious.
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