“What’re you doing?”
The sudden move makes her eye widen in surprise. As I revel in her adorableness, my gaze meets her golden eye. Alicia desperately tries to escape me, but she doesn’t so much as flinch under my grip.
I am once again impressed by just how athletic she is despite her delicate frame. I could watch her squirm to escape my embrace all day.
Alicia will certainly grow up to be even more alluring until she becomes a lady with a beauty second to none in the world.
I sigh softly. “I want to shut you away.”
Barely after I utter the words, I press my forehead to hers and gaze right into her eye. I get an up-close view of her cheeks flushing more. Ignoring all worries of her hating me, I surrender to my heart’s desires.
“……tss!”
Suddenly, I feel a blow to my head. It doesn’t hurt, but it does sting a little.
Then I understand that Alicia headbutted me with all her might. The headbutter herself is clutching her own forehead in pain.
I am so shocked, I can’t speak, but she is a picture of dignity. Enchanted by her aura, I sink back onto the table behind me for support.
She approaches me, performing the exact same move on me that I’d used on her. She cups my cheeks in her tiny hands and smirks slightly.
“You want to shut me away? Don’t patronize me. I shut myself away in that cottage because I had a goal to accomplish. My father did not shut me in there by force.”
Her eye is sparkling. Her gaze is clearly turned toward the future.
I yank on Alicia’s arm and draw her to my chest. I can feel her heartbeat quickening against mine.
“I’m sorry… I almost let the beast have its way.”
“Huh?”
I sigh deeply to calm myself. “I’m crazy about you—I think it’s about time you realize that.”
Her muscles tense. A part of me hopes she will just fall for me here and now. A heartbeat is pounding loudly in my ears, but I don’t know if it is Alicia’s or mine.
“Alicia—you always stick to your convictions. You race toward your goals, never losing inertia. You approach the reality of the world with strength. You’re so intelligent, so strong, so dignified, and so beautiful.”
I pause to see how she is responding. I can feel the fires in both of us through my chest. As she falls silent and still, blushing an even deeper shade of red, I vow with all my heart to cherish her.
And I whisper the last part in her ear.
“You’re a goddess.”
“…!!”
I can feel her entire body jolt. I’d better leave it at that for now… If I stay alone with her like this any longer, I won’t make it. I release Alicia’s hand and walk toward the door. I open it, then turn to look at her again. Alicia’s face is red as an apple, and she stands in a daze.
If only she let me drive her crazier.
Holding this thought in my heart, I give her a satisfied smile and put the room behind me.