An Unexpected Proposal - Chapter 14

“Eat more.”

At the voice of the indifferent command, Alicia picked up the spoon she had laid down.

Alicia thought he was not looking at her, but like a ghost, he had noticed that she was almost done with her meal.

“I’m full enough.”

“You can eat one more bite. Eat.”

“But …….”

“The doctor said the amount you eat is too little. You have to increase the amount you eat little by little to gain weight.”

Cabellenus replied, still not looking at Alicia.

Alicia glanced at him and took one bite of the soup.

After the suicide commotion, Cabellenus often accompanied Alicia.

“I won’t do that again.”

“What do you mean?”

“Dying…….”

Alicia stopped talking and lowered her head.

The mere mention of death caused Cabellenus to glare at her bitterly, so she did not continue her words anymore.

“I saved the life you gave up. So, yes, your life is mine.”

He never lost what he considered his.

Cabellenus’s eyes flashed.

He was still angry.

“I …”

How could she relieve his anger?

Alicia tapped her lips.

Even if she had said she would not die, Cabellenus did not believe her.

She was no longer allowed alone in her room anymore, and if she was not with Cabellenus, someone else would always be there to watch her.

“Don’t think about anything else. If I see a drop of blood flowing from your body, those you wanted to protect will see blood.”

His low voice gave her chills.

The man’s warning was sincere.

He was not a merciful saviour.

Alicia silently pushed the remaining soup into her mouth.

After eating with him, she no longer knew what food tasted like anymore.

No, even from the beginning, it was only Alicia who ate food.

Cabellenus prepared a luxurious meal in front of Alicia, but he would often be working while eating a simple sandwich.

Alicia bitterly stirred the soup with her spoon.

She thought that she would be able to eat a little more if they ate together, but the meal with a man looking at documents in front of her was not very appetising.

“The jeweller’s coming today.”

“But I bought jewellery last time.”

“I don’t care. Buy more. If you buy more, you’ll have at least one of them that you’ll like.”

Cabellenus was generous to Alicia.

He arranged her clothes and bought jewellery for her every day.

“…… Neinstein is a poor land.”

Alicia had no eyes for jewels, but could roughly guess how much they would cost.

It was a luxury to spend such a fortune on clothes and jewellery that she would not even wear.

“I know. Many people have died of starvation after the series of famine. This war was more loss than gain. It’s a loss just from the money and supplies that we’re bringing in from Schwarhan to rebuild Neinstein.”

Cabellenus answered calmly and turned a page of the document in his hand.

“Then should we not waste it on more jewellery?”

“Neinstein is poor, not me.”

Cabellenus firmly cut off Alicia, as if her question was not worth answering.

Schwarhan was classified as an imperial territory but wealthier than any country. It could not be compared to Neinstein, which had barely maintained its name on the map.

It was ridiculous to be nervous over a few jewels.

“Your Grace …….”

Alicia opened her mouth to speak again but soon shut her mouth tightly.

She almost made a mistake.

No slave in the world spoke back to their master.

“If you have nothing more to say, finish your meal. No matter how much you talk, I don’t intend to make you get up from that place until you finish the soup.”

“……. Okay.”

Alicia gave up any further defiance and nodded her head meekly.

Even if Cabellenus’s attitude towards her was special, she would not be mistaken.

Regardless of how it was packaged, the relationship between the two could not be equal, and the ending was predictable.

If she wanted to enjoy this peace for a little longer, it would be wise to keep quiet and live up to the line set by Cabellenus.

“……. As expected, is jewellery not good too?”

It was not until Alicia’s bowl was completely empty that Cabellenus broke the silence.

“Pardon?”

Alicia frowned slightly, unable to understand the sudden question thrown at her.

In the meantime, Cabellenus kept his eyes on the paperwork, so she did not know if she had heard him right.

“Jewels, do you hate it?”

“That’s …”

“Don’t hesitate, answer me properly.”

“No, I don’t hate it. But…”

“But?”

The glistening golden eyes shone over the document. Alicia felt her neck stiffen and swallowed dryly.

It was just eye contact, but her mind was a mess.

“I just don’t think it suits me…”

“Doesn’t it look good?”

“Of course the jewels are pretty. But it doesn’t look good on me….”

To a critical gaze, every sentence said had an insight and was always ambiguous.

Alicia closed her eyes tightly, hoping that this ridiculous mealtime would be over soon.

However, even with her eyes closed, she could feel his burning gaze on her. She eventually had to open her eyes again.

“Is that all?”

“Yes?”

“Did you make that face because you thought it didn’t suit you?”

Cabellenus’s mouth became crooked.

He looked very dissatisfied.

“Because it’s true.”

Alicia smiled awkwardly.

“You’re still a bad liar.”

“…….”

“I don’t like to spin around in circles. Tell me properly, as it is. Just be honest.”

Cabellenus easily demanded it, but it was not easy for Alicia.

In the past, she was ready to die, so she was able to rush forward without hesitation, but not now.

Alicia did not want to die anymore.

She had no choice but to take care of herself naturally.

However, the man who was watching closely did not know how to give up.

In the end, it was Alicia who held the white flag.

“I don’t know.”

“You don’t know?”

“It still doesn’t feel real.”

Alicia smiled faintly, avoiding Cabellenus’s gaze.

Even though a lot had changed, she already knew she was wearing clothes that did not fit her.

Alicia knew her position well.

The fact that she was a slave did not change even if she ate together, slept together, and received many gifts from him.

Everything she enjoyed now was not entirely hers.

It was just a bubble that would burst when Cabellenus’s interest cooled down.