Alicia closed her eyes several times and then opened them again.
But no matter how much she looked, the scene before her eyes did not change.
She saw Michael asleep, and just beyond him, Cabelenus — also asleep.
'I remember waiting for Michael yesterday and then falling asleep…'
Seeing herself lying on the bed, she could guess that Cabelenus had moved her while she slept, but she didn’t know why the three of them were sleeping on the same bed.
'…Still, this isn’t a bad morning.'
Alicia stopped dwelling on it and quietly watched the father and son.
Perhaps because Cabelenus’s sharp, characteristic eyes were hidden, the two, asleep and unaware, looked more alike than usual.
‘I wish every day could be like this.’
Alicia’s eyelashes trembled slightly.
‘I know it’s a vain hope, but…’
She wasn’t suffering from an illness that physicians could cure.
Her current condition was entirely the result of her own choices, and so she had to accept it with calm resignation.
Even so, she couldn’t give up her desire.
It wasn’t something she had deliberately arranged, but seeing the two of them — even their sleeping habits so alike — made her heart waver.
She tried to act strong and steady her heart, but still, desire rose within her.
No matter what, she couldn’t abandon the will to live.
It was then.
Knock knock—.
At the sound of the knock, Alicia instinctively glanced at Cabelenus.
Cabelenus usually woke at the slightest sound, but unlike usual, he was in a deep sleep.
Alicia hesitated for a moment, then carefully got up.
“Sir Claude?”
“My lady?”
As soon as the door opened, both of them widened their eyes in surprise.
Alicia pressed her index finger to her lips and lowered her voice slightly.
“His Highness is still sleeping.”
“...His Highness?”
Gazeff, too, found the sight of Cabelenus asleep unfamiliar.
Cabelenus usually slept very little, and he never fell into a deep sleep.
It was almost unbelievable that he was asleep right now.
“If it’s urgent, I’ll have to wake him, but—”
“No, it’s not that urgent. I just came by because His Highness was arriving at the office later than usual.”
Lowering his voice as well, Gazeff glanced at the view visible behind Alicia’s back.
On the bed, Cabelenus and Michael were asleep.
“It seems I’ve intruded thoughtlessly.”
“No, it’s fine. I had something I wanted to say to you anyway.”
“To me?”
“If it’s alright, could you spare me a moment?”
Alicia smiled softly and looked back at the sleeping pair.
It was about time to let go of her desire.
・・・・・
“What kind of tea would you like?”
“I’m fine without tea. Honestly, I feel like I’d get sick if I ate anything right now.”
"…Is something the matter?"
Gazeff carefully sat across from Alicia.
“You once told me about His Highness’s shackle, didn’t you?”
“Yes, I did.”
Gazeff gave an awkward smile.
Alicia took a short, steady breath and looked at Gazeff.
Since that day, Gazeff hadn’t said a word about it.
He had been considerate so as not to put any burden on Alicia.
“Time is short, so I won’t beat around the bush: I have the power to grant your wish, just as you suspected.”
“Does that mean…”
“I might be able to break His Highness’s shackle.”
“Is that true?”
Joy lit up Gazeff’s face, but in contrast, Alicia clenched her fists tightly.
“But that power isn’t perfect.”
“Are there conditions for using that power?”
“That’s right.”
“Indeed, if such an incredible power could be used recklessly, the balance of the world would collapse. I expected there would be some limitations, so please feel free to speak openly.”
Gazeff straightened and thrust out his chest.
The aide who had led countless battles to victory alongside Cabelenus was brimming with confidence.
“To make a wish come true, the price is a life.”
“A life?”
“I mean the caster’s lifespan.”
“No way…”
Gazeff’s focus wavered.
Alicia, however, still wore a smile.
“I’ve used this power to protect Michael all this time. And I don’t regret that choice. Even if I could turn back time, I would have used this power again and again for Michael’s sake.”
“...”
“Just like my mother did.”
Alicia lowered her head.
Contrary to the smile on her face, veins stood out on the back of her hand.
“As long as it’s not an impossible wish, like bringing the dead back to life, I can grant any wish — provided the price can be paid.”
“Then, if you were to make a wish beyond what you can pay as the price…”
“It will lead to death.”
“If that’s the case, there’s nothing more to hear. Just pretend you never heard what I told you—”
“I probably don’t have much time left now.”
“...”
Gazeff’s expression froze as it was.
“I thought I’d been holding up well until now, but recently my health has deteriorated rapidly.”
“Schwarhan’s medical skills have improved tremendously compared to before.”
“Even the most skilled physician cannot change a predetermined lifespan.”
“My lady.”
Gazeff urgently called out to Alicia.
“I know my body well. I’m quickly nearing death."
But Alicia simply shook her head firmly.
“…Or can’t you use that power to reverse your lifespan, my lady?”
“That’s impossible.”
“Have you tried?”
“There’s no need to even try. This power isn’t meant for me.”
“You’re saying it’s not meant for you, my lady?”
Gazeff furrowed his brow.
“There are two conditions for using the power of wishes. First, someone other than the caster must have a wish. Second, the caster must sincerely want to grant it.”
“And yet it still takes the caster’s life?”
“Thanks to that, my father was able to fatten his own belly without suffering any loss.”
A bitter chuckle escaped Alicia’s lips before she realised it.
It was because the image of her father came back to her — pressing a blade against her throat and shouting at her mother to use her powers.
“The moment I felt something was wrong with my body, the first ones I worried about were His Highness and Michael. His Highness has only recently grown close to Michael, and the same is true for Michael.”
“It was only possible because of you, my lady.”
“I was merely the trigger. In the end, it was His Highness who opened his heart to Michael.”
“...”
“I can’t say the relationship as it is now is perfect, but at the very least, His Highness is making an effort, and Michael follows him closely. As time goes on, the two of them will head in a good direction.”
“...”
“They’ll do well; both of them.”
“...”
“That’s what I believe.”
Alicia’s smile deepened.
Gazeff, unsure what expression to make, pressed a hand to his forehead.
"His Highness is able to endure only because of you, my lady."
"Even so, I can’t stay by His Highness’s side forever."
“…This won’t do. I must tell His Highness.”
“Don’t.”
The smile vanished from Alicia’s face.
“My lady.”
“You said you wanted to break His Highness ’s shackle.”
“We’ll just have to find another way.”
“I’m not saying I want to die recklessly. I just want you to consider me a last resort if the worst happens.”
Alicia’s eyes gleamed with unwavering resolve.
“Even so, there’s no way His Highness would use my lady’s life as the price.”
“So, that’s why I need your help.”
“...”
“I know I’m making a cruel request. But you’re the only person I can trust to ask.”
“…Do you really think I would fulfil your request, my lady?”
“Even if not now, when the worst moment comes, you’ll do it. After all, you are the Grand Duke of Schwarhan’s subject.”
Gazeff turned his head away, avoiding Alicia’s eyes.
Her all-knowing gaze was painful, but he couldn’t deny her words.
・・・・・
“Mister, can you really take on a real monster?”
“Stop talking, my head’s pounding.”
"It’s not that your head’s pounding — you just don’t have anything to say.”
“With someone whining like that all morning, there’s no way my head wouldn’t hurt.”
“Who said I was whining? I’m just making a fair complaint!”
Cabelenus growled lowly, but Michael stood on tiptoes and raised his voice as if determined not to back down.
“A fair complaint?”
“Mister, you clearly said you’d protect me if a monster came. But the fact that you didn’t realise anything until Mum disappeared means you could do the same even if a monster showed up.”
“It’s only like that today. Usually, it’s not.”
Cabelenus roughly ran his hand through his hair and stood up from his seat.
The fact that he hadn’t realised anything until Alicia disappeared was a shock even to him.
‘Have I become numb from just sitting idly?’
He picked up Alicia’s note from the table, slipped it into his pocket, and immediately put on his coat.
Although his attire was far from formal, seeing Alicia’s face was the priority right now.
Anyway, no one in the castle could dare to criticise the Grand Duke of Schwarhan’s attire.
“Come on, how am I supposed to believe that? They say today becomes tomorrow, tomorrow becomes the day after, and that’s how it turns into a habit.”
"Where did you learn something like that?"
“Mum taught me.”
"..."
Cabelenus pressed his lips together as he watched the child beam with pride.
From experience, nothing good ever came from messing with the child in situations like this.
“Your room’s just outside to the left. You can go there, or stay here and keep sleeping — it’s up to you.”
“I don’t want to.”
“You don’t?”
“Mister, you’re going to see Mum now, right? I want to go too. I want to see her too.”
Michael quickly scuttled up beside Cabelenus and grabbed the edge of his coat.
Cabelenus frowned at the tug on his coat.
“You’re going to see her later anyway. Why bother going now?”
"That’s the same for you too, you know?"
"..."
"If you really want to stop me, then you shouldn’t go either. In that case, I won’t go either."
Michael smirked mischievously.
Cabelenus furrowed his brows in displeasure but couldn’t say anything more.
“So, are you going or not?”
“…At least put on a coat and come.”
“My coat’s in my room.”
“Then put it on and come.”
“I can’t do that.”
Michael shook his head firmly.
“And why can’t you?”
Cabelenus let out a long sigh and pressed a hand to his forehead.
“You might leave before I even put on my coat, you know.”
“Do you think I’d do that?”
“Yes.”
“...”
‘What on earth does that little kid think of me?’
The furrow on Cabelelnus’s forehead deepened even more.
But Michael, for his part, just beamed innocently and tugged at Cabeleus’s coat.
“Mister, you can’t leave before me, so come along with me so I can get my coat.”
"Haah…"
“Don’t sigh.”
“Can’t I even sigh now?”
As if being dragged along by his coat like a leashed dog wasn’t ridiculous enough, now the kid was policing his sighs, too.
Even as Cabelenus obediently matched the child’s pace, his mind was in turmoil, and he hesitated several times, wondering whether he should just stop walking.
Of course, his deliberation ended, whether he willed it or not, the moment he saw that fine-featured face at the other end of the hallway.
Cabelenus narrowed his eyes as he looked at James.
James, too, was staring intently in this direction.
"Uncle!"
Michael, having noticed James a moment later, let go of Cabelenus’s coat and ran straight toward him.
But James, who would normally have smiled warmly and embraced him, didn’t even look at Michael properly.
James’s gaze was fixed solely on Cabelenus.
"…Uncle?"
Sensing something amiss, Michael cautiously touched James.
It was at that moment.
A rough hand swatted the child’s hand away.
"U-Uncle…"
Flustered, Michael opened and closed his mouth helplessly.
But James still didn’t look at him.
Cabelenus scowled and strode forward, stopping directly in front of James.
"Didn’t I tell you to keep it in check?"
"Why should I?"
"Even patience has its limits."
"Then don’t hold back! Who told you to restrain yourself? Your Highness just wants to look good in front of Alicia, wagging his tail like a dog—"
James couldn’t finish his words and drew in a hollow breath.
That menacing gaze cut him off before he knew it.
The more he looked, the more the Grand Duke of Schwarhan seemed less like a man and more like a beast.
It was an absurd thought, but he couldn’t help imagining that if he let his guard down even for a moment, his throat might be torn out.
“If you knew how much I’m holding back, you wouldn’t dare spout such nonsense in front of me.”
"..."
“Are you oblivious? Or just plain stupid?”
Cabelenus gave a short, derisive scoff and slowly clenched and unclenched his fist.
The neck of a painter who had never exercised in his life could easily be snapped with one hand, but now there were eyes on him.
Of course, that didn’t mean he intended to let it go quietly.
“Michael. Go to your mum first.”
Cabelenus stepped between James and Michael with the calm confidence of a predator about to strike.
He had tolerated most things out of respect for Alicia’s guest, but yesterday’s incident was different.
The price of Alicia’s tears needed to be paid in full.
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