An Unexpected Proposal-Chapter 63

"But my uncle told her otherwise. He said she’s meant for greater things, that she should be working somewhere bigger than here."

Cabelenus pressed his lips together as he watched the child chatter on, completely unaware. He didn’t know the exact reason Alicia hadn’t left, but he could guess well enough. Her priority had always been Mikael.

"When you see my mom’s paintings someday, make sure to praise her, okay?"

"Alright."

Cabelenus nodded but then paused. There seemed to be a hollow space behind the picture inside the pendant. Instinctively, his fingers moved to pull the drawing out, but he stopped. If he forced it, the paper would crumple beyond repair.

"…It probably doesn’t mean anything."

It wasn’t some artisan's piece—just a mass-produced trinket that could be found anywhere. It wasn’t unusual for cheaply made items to have empty spaces inside to save on materials. Nothing particularly suspicious about it.

"I'm only lending it to you. You can't take it, understand?"

"If you’re that worried, just take it back."

"But…"

When Mikael hesitated, Cabelenus moved first. The boy reflexively clutched at the pendant now resting back around his neck.

"You shouldn’t hand over something precious so easily."

"…It’s not that precious."

Mikael’s voice grew firm.

"For something not precious, you sure were reluctant to part with it."

"That’s only because my mom made it. Do you really think I’d like something from my father?"

"Your father?"

"Isn’t it funny? They say this is the only thing my dad left behind. And even that—my mom made it."

"…"

"I wear it because she put thought into it, but honestly, I don’t really like it."

Mikael scowled and snapped, but despite his words, his small hands were still gripping the pendant tightly.

***

"How have you been, Alicia?"

"Took you long enough."

Alicia smiled faintly as she spotted James through the open window.

"Where’s Mikael? Out playing again?"

"Of course. Especially today—he even took a lunchbox with him, so he’ll be back late."

"That’s too bad. I bought a bunch of candies he likes."

"Really? He’s going to be thrilled when he finds out. Want some tea?"

"I’d rather you open the door first."

"Of course. Just a moment."

Alicia quickly moved to unlock the door. He had traveled a long way and should have looked worn out, yet the silver-haired man remained as striking as ever.

"How long has it been since we last met?"

"Almost two months, I think."

"Only that long? It felt like much longer."

James joked as he took off his hat and coat, hanging them by the wall. Meanwhile, Alicia busied herself by putting a kettle on the stove and pulling out tea leaves from the cupboard.

"Why were you so late? Didn’t you say you’d be here last week?"

"Negotiating new contract terms took longer than expected."

"James, a new contract?"

"Not mine. Yours."

"…"

Alicia’s hand froze as she was about to put the tea leaves into the kettle.

"The artists' guild recently started selecting up-and-coming painters. They’re offering generous sponsorships, proper studios with better working conditions, and a path to establish a real reputation."

"There must be far better artists than me."

"The guild master specifically asked for you. She likes your work and has high expectations for you."

"…"

"It’s a great opportunity."

James whispered softly. Alicia hesitated, then let out a quiet sigh.

"I appreciate the opportunity. But you know my situation. It’s impossible right now."

"How long will it be ‘impossible’?"

"Until Mikael grows up a little more…"

"I know you’ve sacrificed everything for Mikael. But if you keep letting opportunities pass like this, you’ll regret it."

James’s voice was filled with unmistakable regret. Alicia had real talent. Though still relatively unknown, her artwork was gaining recognition in the capital. If she had the right environment, she could secure a place as a respected artist.

"You’ve put everything aside for Mikael. But he’s old enough to manage on his own now."

"He’s still a child."

"He’s eight now. A bit slow to grow, but still eight."

"But you know… Mikael is—"

"I know what you’re afraid of. But that’s all in the past."

James exhaled shortly. A child born different—unnatural. He still vividly remembered what Mikael had looked like at birth.

"…The past?"

"Yes. The past. And nothing has ever happened, has it?"

"But…"

"It’s been years. No one knows how he was born. And even if they did, who would believe them?"

James stepped closer, resting a hand on Alicia’s trembling shoulder. Her gaze wavered with uncertainty.

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

"But what if…"

"That’s why you’ve been running all this time. And you barely settled here."

"…"

"You’ve done enough. You don’t have to keep hiding."

"…"

"People need to experience bigger worlds. And it’s not just for you—Mikael needs it, too. You can’t keep raising him in a place like this forever."

James glanced at the worn-down cabin. He knew how the villagers treated Alicia, which only added to his frustration. The house, though purchased with a hefty sum, was old and dilapidated. The people in the village—always eager to diminish her—were anything but welcoming. This was no place for her.

She couldn’t stay here forever.

"I'll help you."

"…"

"Let me. We're practically family, aren't we?"

James gently took Alicia's hand. Eight years ago, when he had found her barely clinging to life in the snowfields, he never imagined they would end up like this. At that moment, he had only seen his lost sister in her. But as time passed, Alicia became an undeniable part of his life. They had endured hardship, sorrow, and even moments of joy together, naturally growing into each other’s family. Even if Alicia’s definition of family and his own were not entirely the same.

"…Actually, there's something I wanted to ask of you."

"A request? What kind of request?"

"He's here."

"…"

James' pupils trembled. Alicia took a deep breath before speaking again.

"Cabelenus von Schwarhan Blanche. The lord of Schwarhan. And Mikael's biological father."

"Does he know? That Mikael is his?"

"No. He doesn’t."

Alicia shook her head weakly.

"How could he not know?"

"I lied. I told him Mikael was six. Luckily, Mikael is small for his age."

"And he believed that?"

James furrowed his brows.

"Madam Morco once said… she thought he already knew. And…"

"And?"

"He was supposed to have black hair and golden eyes. That’s what they said. But Mikael doesn’t resemble either of us. He might suspect, but he can’t be sure."

Cabelenus was a man of conviction. Once he decided something, he would not easily change his mind.

"So you plan to keep it from him forever?"

"Yes. No matter what."

Alicia’s answer came without hesitation.

"Do you really think he'd still try to kill Mikael?"

"…I don’t know."

"You don’t know?"

"Funny enough… he actually gets along with Mikael quite well."

Alicia’s lips pulled into a faint, weary curve.

"And Mikael… he really likes him. As if he instinctively knows he’s his father, even without anyone telling him. He follows him around so naturally… I can’t bring myself to tell him to stay away."

If only they were more distant. But without her realizing it, a bond had already formed between Cabelenus and Mikael. At least for now, it didn’t seem like Cabelenus intended to kill him.

"If that’s the case, then maybe—"

"But as long as there’s even the slightest chance, I won’t take the risk."

Alicia let out a bitter laugh, shaking her head. The only reason Cabelenus was treating Mikael with such tolerance was because he didn’t realize the truth.

"When I was pregnant, he told me to give him up for adoption. Said it would be better that way."

"…"

"I’m terrified. If he hated Mikael that much back then… how will he react when he learns the truth?"

Alicia’s hands trembled. A child not born as a human, but as something else. If she hadn’t seen it with her own eyes, even she might not have believed it. Mikael had been born looking like a beast—the very kind Cabelenus despised.

"Mikael did nothing wrong. He was just born that way."

It had only been for a brief moment. As the years passed, Mikael had grown to resemble an ordinary child. By the time he was two, he looked completely human. He had lived far more years as a human than as a beast, and that would never change. To be condemned as a monster just because of how he was born—it was wrong. But that was Alicia’s perspective, not Cabelenus’s.

"He would never understand. If he finds out the truth… he’ll convince himself that Mikael is a monster. And in the end…"

Alicia couldn't bring herself to finish the sentence. She could barely hold back the shudder that overtook her body at the mere thought of it.

"So, what do you want me to do? Just say the word. I’ll do anything."

"In an ideal world, I’d want him to just give up on us first. But he’s not that kind of man."

"You mean…"

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"I’m leaving this village soon. And I need to do it without him knowing."

Could he help her? Alicia looked up at James with teary eyes. James swallowed hard.

"I’ll help in any way I can. But on one condition—let me choose the destination."

"James…"

"You said it yourself—he won’t give up. He even tracked you down to this remote village. Just hiding isn’t enough."

"…"

Alicia’s lashes trembled. He was right. If Cabelenus had come all the way here, simple evasion wouldn’t be enough.

"Come with me to the capital instead. We’ll create new identities—start fresh."

"…Would that even be possible?"

"From what I’ve seen, in the capital, as long as you have money, anything is possible."

"I don’t have that kind of money."

"Don’t worry. If you knew how much I sold your latest painting for, you’d be shocked."

James gave her a warm smile. He was more than willing to fund everything himself, but Alicia wouldn’t accept that. The best he could do was ensure her paintings sold for their true worth.

"How much? Three thousand Gallen?"

"No. Far more."

"Then… ten thousand?"

"No. A hundred thousand Gallen."

"What?"

Alicia’s eyes widened in disbelief. James beamed at her reaction.

"I told you, this piece would sell for a high price."

"But… a hundred thousand Gallen is too much…"

In all the years she had been selling her art, her earnings had never even reached twenty thousand. A hundred thousand was beyond comprehension.

"No need to be surprised. A hundred thousand is just the beginning. If you build a reputation, you could sell for much more."

"…"

"You mentioned sending Mikael to the academy when he turned ten. If you keep earning at this rate, you won’t have to worry about tuition all the way to graduation."

James' eyes softened as he smiled. Alicia hesitated, then slowly nodded.