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For a few moments, I was at a loss for words.
I was uncertain if I could be “Alicia Williams” as usual if I went out in front of everyone here and now.
In front of Duke-sama, I would expose my weakness.
Besides, I wondered if I could be myself in front of Victor. To be honest, I wouldn’t want to be in front of those two right now.
“Alicia-sama?”
Sheena peeked lightly at me, who didn’t respond.
She looked at me with an expression as if she were worried about a little girl. …I didn’t want to have this look directed at me.
…I didn’t want to say that I wasn’t confident enough to be “Alicia Williams”.
I should be “Alicia Williams” at all times. Even if it would lead me to isolation, I would love it.
I pulled myself together and composed my feelings. I would never let people know that I had lost someone important to me.
“Yes, of course.”
Sheena froze for a moment at hearing my assured voice, then laughed in astonishment.
“Someone else besides Kushana has eyes like these…. One person I can’t get my head around is enough.”
She blurted out, then turned her serious eyes on me.
“That strong will of yours will continue to make Alicia-sama grow in the future. However, that will be a double-edged sword.”
I was unable to understand what Sheena was trying to say, even though I seemed to understand the point she was trying to make.
Could it be that this will of mine could sometimes be a hindrance to my dreams?
I still did not know what the future held for me. If it could be a factor that helped me grow at the moment, then I would utilize it.
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
I straightened my back and walked out of the room.
At that moment, I was suddenly hugged tightly by a large body. I didn’t know what was going on, and I let out a “what”?
…What’s going on?
I looked at Victor and Leon, who were staring at me wide-eyed, while Kushana looked at us calmly without changing her expression, as if she knew what was about to happen.
It took me a few moments to realize that I was in Duke-sama’s strong embrace.
I didn’t expect Duke-sama to act like this. He was supposed to be the Cool Prince….
If I told my brothers about this, they would say, “You’re dreaming, aren’t you?” I’m sure they’d say so.
“I’m glad you’re alive.”
The words that came out of Duke-sama’s mouth made me realize that he really did care about me from the bottom of his heart.
I was confident that Kushana had told him that there was a chance that I would lose my life on that training ground. If I had lost to Uncle Will as it was, I would have died in the flower field.
I was not so bad to be loved by a prince, I thought.
“Thank you for your concern.”
As soon as I said that, Leon was staring at me and at his “Master.”
“Your eyes…”
At Leon’s words, I was released from Duke-sama’s large arms.