“Prince Duke, I’m so sorry. Please forgive me.”
I bow my head deeply, then I look right into his deep blue eyes.
He happens to be visiting my family mansion. Since I couldn’t find a chance to talk to him at school, this works out perfectly for me. At my own home, I can take the time I need to open up and tell him everything.
“What I said to you that day was so careless. To be honest, I’ve never experienced being loved by anybody so deeply, so I just…”
As I squeeze the words out with difficulty, a soft smile forms on Duke’s lips. It is a smile that shows he already knows everything. That confident smile of his always makes me feel so weak.
“So, um……are you not angry with me anymore?”
“I was never angry with you to begin with, Alicia.”
“Huh?” I blurt out dumbly.
He smiles uncomfortably at that. He was never angry with me… What does he mean?
“So, um, who were you angry with?”
“Let’s not talk about this anymore.”
“I’m going to keep asking until you give me an answer.”
I turn a full smile on him. Now our positions are reversed. What a rare treat it is, watching Duke flounder.
A soothing breeze flows in from the window, gently rustling the curtains. Duke moves with them, turning to look at me.
“The thought of some other man making your heart flutter… It made me envy him to no end.”
……Well. That’s one of the most romantic lines I’ve ever heard. Only a prince could say such an embarrassing line in earnest. The future is yet unknown, but I doubt I will ever meet a man better than Duke. After all, Duke was my fave when I used to play this game. What’s more, I can be myself around him. It is never a strain to be with him; it is relaxing, in fact. (Though, of course, a part of me is still nervous at times.) Over the years, he has smoothly slipped into my heart. Perhaps that is a testament to the charms of Durkis’s crown prince.
“Alicia?”
He mercilessly stares into my eyes. His face, a national treasure of beauty, is just inches away from mine.
“Um, thank you very much?” I thank him with a questioning lilt in my voice as I step away from him.
You know, why has Duke come to my house anyway? It doesn’t seem like he has business with me or my brothers…… Is it my father? I have never seen the two speak with each other before. And perhaps it is vain of me to think so, but if they did talk, I can only imagine it would be about me.
“Your Highness, so sorry to have kept you waiting.”
With impeccable timing, my father enters the room just as I am thinking about him. My father bows, and Duke nods slightly in return.
“It’s all right, Lord Williams. No need to be so formal.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.” My father raises his head, his eyes meeting mine. He probably doesn’t want me to be there.
“So what are you two gentlemen here to discuss?”
I’m sorry, Father. But I just can’t bow out gracefully before I know what’s going on. A girl just has to know. And I don’t care if you say I have no place in your gentleman’s conversation—I will never back down.
I stand up straight and look my father firmly in the eye. When he sees my posture, my father’s eyes fill with resignation.
“……I suppose we should give in early,” my father says.
“It appears so,” Duke replies.
“No matter how sternly I lecture her, she will certainly want to hear what we have to say…and besides, Alicia is fifteen years old now.”
Is fifteen really that mature an age?
“Alicia, you could use magic at age ten… That makes you a Divergent. I’m sure you suffered needlessly because of that.”
I’m a Divergent? Isn’t he mistaking me for Liz here?
“No, Father. I gained my abilities through hard work, nothing more. Liz the saint is the only special one.”
“That’s not true. I really should have kept your power hidden. Because I didn’t, His Majesty set his sights on you and… No, let’s not dwell on that.”
“Why do I have to hide my power?”
“You really need to be more aware of your own genius. You could use magic at age ten, and now at age fifteen, you’ve passed level ninety. And it’s more than your magic. It’s your intellect. Everything about you is beyond the norm.”
“Her sword skills and physical strength are superhuman, too,” Duke adds.
Did he…mean that as a compliment?
“So are you trying to say that I should live my life in the shadows more?”
“No, that’s no longer possible. You already stand out far too much,” my father says with a little sigh.
I have to admit, he is right. My infamy at the academy is quite high. To my utter delight, I stick out like a sore thumb.
“So a meeting was held, and a decision was made…”
When I see the pained look on my father’s face, I already know what it was. They decided to strip me of my role as Liz Cather’s monitor, even though I reached level 90. That’s what the uncomfortable look on his face must mean. And I understand. Even though I have finally reached level 90, I am still no match for her at level 100.
……If the decision was made at a special council by the Great Five, I’m in no position to protest.
“We want you to resume being Liz Cather’s monitor.”
……Huh? Did I mishear that?
“Um, excuse me, but what did you just say?” I ask.
“Now that you have reached level ninety, we have determined you are indeed suitable for the role of Liz Cather’s monitor.”
Why are you giving me such happy news with such a sad look on your face?! You made me assume I wouldn’t be Liz’s monitor anymore.
“You could at least be happy for me,” I tell him.
“You might be happy with the news, Alicia, but I’m sick with worry. I wanted you to live a life of leisure…”
I suppose these are the struggles of a man with a daughter. No matter how hard I try, I could never talk him out of his worries. It isn’t easy, getting a father’s wishes to line up with his daughter’s.
……Could it be that I’m a tad abnormal?
As if he read my mind, Duke looks at me and nods.
“If you find yourself about to be caught in any danger, you tell me right away,” my father commands firmly. It is clear just how deeply he loves me.
“But, Father, isn’t it in the greatest danger that flowers bloom the most beautifully?”
“……Are you sure you’re only fifteen?”
I never thought the day would come when my own father would question my age. And while it is difficult to give my genuine age, I am indeed technically fifteen.
“Anyway, I get to be Liz’s monitor again, so I’m satisfied.”
“And when she’s truly in danger, I’ll be there for her.”
I hear Duke murmur that clearly into my father’s ear.
How rude! If I’m truly in danger, I’ll overcome it myself. That’s what a villainess does… No matter what obstacles face me, I will not falter. In fact, I welcome an ocean of obstacles. It will make me a better villainess!
“You look excited.” Duke smirks.
“She’s probably got something foolish on her mind again… I’m so exhausted.” My father sighs, his shoulders slumping in frustration.
“Fear not, Father. I am more than strong enough to survive!”
“……Just promise you won’t push yourself too far. Now, I have a matter to tend to, so I’ll take my leave.”
With a deflated bow to Duke, my father leaves the room. Now I’m starting to feel sorry for my father. I hope I haven’t shortened his life expectancy. Live a long, long life, Father.
I look at Duke. Our eyes meet for a moment, and my heart skips a beat.
“Aren’t you going home, Your Highness?”
“I want to be with you for a while longer, Alicia.”
“It’s all right. You don’t need to be so blunt about it.”
I look away without thinking. I am starting to feel hot all over. Come on, any girl would faint hearing a line like that from such a handsome guy. I do wish Duke would be more aware of his own hotness.
His gaze shifts to the diamond pendant around my neck. He gently tugs on it, pulling me closer to him.
“Someday, I will make you mine.”
……I thought he was going to kiss me. I…I’d better say something back!
“How can you be so certain? The opposite might happen, you know.”
I muster up what little strength I have left to smirk back at him.
“The opposite?”
“It’s just as possible that I might make you mine, Your Highness.”
Duke freezes for a moment…then his expression melts into a gentle smile. And my heart won’t shut up.