An Unexpected Proposal-Chapter 71

"Sniff… I thought you left me behind…"

"That would never happen. Where would I go without you?"

"Really?"

"Of course. Now, why don’t you show me your face? I want to see my Mikael’s face."

Her voice was soft and soothing. Slowly, Mikael tilted his head up. Alicia carefully brushed away the tears from his flushed, swollen cheeks.

"My little Mikael. I thought you were all grown up, but you’re still a little crybaby."

"B-But… Mom…!"

Unable to hold back his tears any longer, Mikael buried his face in Alicia’s dress once more.

No matter how mature he tried to act, he was still just a child.

"Don’t worry so much. I’m here, aren’t I? You don’t have to hold on so tightly—I’m not going anywhere."

"I—I saw you in my dream…"

"A dream?"

"There were people… saying awful things to you… h-heuuk!"

"Calm down, Mikael. It was just a dream."

Alicia cupped his tear-streaked cheeks and made him look at her.

His swollen, trembling eyes made him look so fragile that it hurt.

"Look at me, Mikael."

"…"

"It’s okay. Nothing bad happened. And no matter what, I won’t let anything bad happen to you."

She spoke each word slowly and clearly.

Gradually, Mikael’s sobs quieted.

Alicia guided him into slow, steady breaths, her lips curling into a warm smile.

"I promise, Mikael. I will always protect you."

"Then… what about you? Who’s going to protect you?"

Mikael clutched her even tighter.

Even though he knew it had only been a nightmare, his body still trembled violently.

He felt as if those hollow-eyed skeletons from his dream would come rushing in at any moment, ready to snatch her away forever.

"Stop crying. You’re making things difficult for your mother."

A cold voice interrupted.

Mikael turned his head to see the towering man looking down at him with a disapproving frown.

His throat went dry.

At first, he had thought of him as just a strong person.

But after watching him cut people down without so much as a change in expression, Mikael realized how different they were.

Now, he finally understood what Cabelenus meant when he said a sword was nothing but a weapon.

Unable to endure his gaze, Mikael shrank behind Alicia.

"You said you wanted to protect your mother. If that’s the case, you can’t be crying over something like this—"

Cabelenus shut his mouth when Alicia shot him a sharp glare.

The cold, piercing look in her eyes said more than a hundred words ever could.

"…We’ll leave as soon as the gate is ready. If you need anything, let me know in advance."

"I don’t have anything important to bring. But…"

Alicia glanced at Mikael.

Even though she had resolved to go to Schwarhan, there was still something weighing on her mind.

"Is something bothering you?"

"It’s just…"

Would it be alright to say it?

Alicia frowned slightly.

Even now, she couldn’t bring herself to trust Cabelenus completely.

"If you don’t want to talk about it, you don’t have to."

Cabelenus’s gaze briefly flickered toward Mikael’s tear-streaked face.

It would be a lie to say he wasn’t suspicious.

Eight years ago, on the very night of Alicia’s disappearance, the monsters had vanished from Schwarhan.

It was too much of a coincidence.

There was a reason Jerpeneus had fixated on that detail, and a reason Alicia had gone to such lengths to keep Mikael hidden.

That small child held a secret.

But that was all.

For now, Cabelenus chose not to pry.

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Or rather—he didn’t want to.

There were some truths that were better left buried.

If Mikael could grow up without ever learning of them, it would be for the best.

A bloodstained life was no life at all.

Cabelenus turned away, using the approaching footsteps as an excuse to look elsewhere.

Behind him stood Gajev, looking uncertain about how to join the conversation.

"Is the gate ready?"

"Yes. Everything is prepared. We can leave at any time."

"Then we should move immediately. Tell the others to get ready."

"Understood."

Even as he gave orders, Cabelenus kept a close eye on Alicia’s expression.

She had agreed to come with him.

But he still couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling in his chest.

"It’s time to go."

"Yes… I suppose it is."

"…Where are you going, mister?"

Mikael, who had been hiding behind Alicia, cautiously peeked out.

He still found Cabelenus intimidating, but at the same time… he felt a strange sense of disappointment at the thought of him leaving.

"You’re coming with us."

"…Where?"

"Schwarhan."

"Schwarhan?"

Mikael frowned, trying to recall where he had heard that name before.

"Where is that?"

Cabelenus observed Mikael’s expression—an odd mixture of curiosity and apprehension.

Then, after a moment, he turned away and muttered under his breath.

"The place you’ll be living from now on."

With a final jolt, the carriage came to a stop.

Gajev peeked through the window to check outside.

"No issues. We’ve arrived. This is Schwarhan."

"Already?"

Mikael, who had been curled up in Alicia’s lap, blinked in surprise.

Gajev chuckled at the child’s expression.

"This carriage is enchanted with magic."

"Magic?"

"Are you interested in magic, young master?"

"It’s Mikael. Mikael Nus."

Mikael puffed out his chest proudly.

"Ah, I see. My apologies, Mikael."

"Not Mikael, just Mikael."

"Ah, my mistake. Mikael."

Gajev corrected himself immediately.

Mikael beamed, clearly pleased with how polite the man was.

Unlike a certain someone, this man seemed kind.

"You seem like a good person, so I’ll forgive you."

"Thank you."

"But are we really here?"

"Of course."

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Gajev responded with a nod and pushed open the carriage window slightly.

The cold wind made Mikael instinctively scrunch his nose—only for his expression to quickly change to wonder.

"Wow! How did you do that? Is this really magic?"

"Yes, it is. And in Schwarhan, you’ll find many more fascinating forms of magic."

"Really?"

"Of course. I’m sure you’ll love it. Once we’re inside the castle, I’ll show you some myself."

"Really? You promise?"

"If you don’t believe me, should we make a pinky promise?"

Gajev smiled playfully, matching Mikael’s excitement.

Unlike his tactless superior, a competent aide knew exactly whom to win over.

"Mom! Mom! Look! There’s so much snow! Let’s go outside and build a snowman!"

"Mikael, don’t lean too close to the window. You might—"

Alicia’s voice trailed off as a thick cloak was suddenly thrust toward her.

"Wear it. It’s cold out there."

"I’m fine."

"Even if we head straight for the castle, it’ll still be cold until then. Wear it. You’ve always been sensitive to the cold."

"…"

He still remembers that?

Alicia lowered her gaze, momentarily at a loss for words.

It was just a cloak.

And yet, she hesitated to take it.

"…Thank you."

"…"

While Alicia hesitated, James reached out first, taking Cabelenus’s cloak and wrapping it around Mikael. Then, without hesitation, he removed his own coat and draped it over Alicia’s shoulders.

"You don’t have to do this. You’ll be cold."

"I don’t get cold easily. Just keep it on. If you catch a cold, what will you do then?"

"…What exactly are you doing?"

Cabelenus’s voice was sharp.

James smiled as if nothing was wrong.

"The kid looked cold."

Cabelenus clenched his teeth as he stared at the unfamiliar coat draped over Alicia’s shoulders.

He had never intended to bring this nuisance along.

Yet here he was, sitting comfortably at Alicia’s side, as if it were his rightful place.

It was infuriating.

"Shouldn’t you be leaving now?"

As soon as they set foot inside the castle, he would make sure Alicia and Mikael had only the finest—things far superior to this cheap coat.

Cabelenus reminded himself of that as he glared at James.

"I won’t leave until I’m certain you’re not a threat to Alicia and Mikael."

James’s eyes were firm with resolve.

He had barely managed to convince Alicia to let him come this far.

There was no way he would back down now.

If Cabelenus did anything, he would find a way to protect them.

"And what gives you the right to make that decision?"

"At the very least, I have more of a right than you."

"Ridiculous. You—"

"Stop it."

Alicia’s voice was sharp as she frowned at both of them.

Cabelenus immediately shut his mouth.

"Sorry. I got carried away. Mikael, you too—calm down."

James quickly apologized and pulled Mikael away from the window.

But Mikael, still excited, showed no signs of calming down.

"Uncle, have you ever seen this much snow before?"

"If you stay in Schwarhan, you’ll see it all the time."

"All the time?"

"Here, it’s always winter. It’s cold, barren… not exactly the most exciting place."

James deliberately made his voice sound dull.

He knew it was childish, but he didn’t want Mikael to like Schwarhan.

"Why? I like snow. I can make snowmen, have snowball fights, and—oh! We can eat shaved ice!"

Mikael counted each thing on his fingers, his enthusiasm undeterred.

Clearly, he had already forgotten all the fear and stress from before.

"You’ll be able to do whatever you want, so stop making a fuss and get down already."

"I wasn’t making a fuss!"

Cabelenus’s curt remark made Mikael pout.

"You’re the only one jumping around."

"Th-That’s—!"

Mikael wanted to argue, but he had no excuse.

Pouting, he finally climbed down from the seat.

Ignoring the child’s sulking, Cabelenus opened the carriage door.

A much broader view of the snow-covered land stretched out before them.

"If you want to run around, do it outside."

"You don’t have to tell me! I was going to get out anyway!"

Mikael stuck his tongue out before jumping down.

The oversized cloak tangled around his feet, making him stumble.

But the thick snow cushioned his fall, leaving him completely unharmed.

Instead of crying, he giggled at the satisfying crunch beneath him.

"Mom! Look! There’s so much snow! Come quickly!"

Everything was more fun when done with Mom.

Mikael waved his arms, grinning widely.

"Let’s get down, too."

Cabelenus stepped out first, followed by the others.

Now, only Alicia remained.

"Take my hand."

"Do you need help?"

As soon as Alicia reached the door, both men instinctively extended their hands toward her.

Alicia scowled.

The expectant gazes made her skin prickle.

"I should just carry you down."

Cabelenus stepped onto the carriage, unwilling to lose his chance.

Alicia quickly clutched her skirt and jumped down before he could get any closer.

"…"

"I can do this much on my own."

Alicia forced an awkward smile before hastily walking ahead, cutting off any further conversation.

She knew she had to mend her relationship with Cabelenus for Mikael’s sake.

But for now, even the thought of touching him was too much.

Every time they met eyes—every time their skin brushed—memories she had tried so hard to suppress came rushing back.

She needed more time.

She had to keep her emotions in check.

For Mikael’s sake, she had to stay rational.

"Mom! Over here! Here!"

Mikael jumped excitedly, calling her over.

Alicia’s breath caught as she took in the sight beyond him.

A vast, endless expanse of snow.

I’ve returned.

The land she had sworn never to return to.

The frozen wasteland she had desperately escaped from.

And yet—she was back.

This place is as cold as ever.

Alicia ran her fingers through her wind-tousled hair.

Eight years had passed, yet Schwarhan remained the same.

A land buried beneath eternal snow.

And she—

Even after all this time, she still wasn’t used to the bone-chilling cold.

And somewhere out there… they’re waiting.

The landscape was empty, filled only with white.

Yet Alicia couldn’t shake the feeling that unseen eyes were watching her.

As if at any moment, golden-eyed monsters would emerge from the snow, ready to reclaim what they had lost.