AME 15

CH:15

Alesia had a few dresses made, and in addition, she purchased a summer robe and several hats. Kaon had never seen her wear a hat before and hadn’t known she liked them, but it seemed she did. He decided to remember that, just in case.

The ride back was even quieter. Unlike when they first left the castle, Alesia had shut the window and was resting silently.

Kaon fell into thought for a moment. He hoped she was simply tired from the outing, but he couldn’t help but worry that the words she had overheard earlier had left her feeling dejected.

“Alesia… if you’re not too tired…”

After some hesitation, Kaon began to speak cautiously but paused. Alesia, who slowly opened her eyes with a blank expression, looked unfamiliar to him.

Sometimes, Alesia felt like a stranger to Kaon. Was it because she wasn’t smiling? No, it wasn’t something so trivial that explained it.

But the moment their eyes met, Alesia instinctively curved her lips and lowered her eyebrows into a soft expression. When she smiled like that, the fleeting sense of distance vanished as if it had never existed.

“There’s something I’d like to show you. Would you like to come with me?”

“Of course, Kaon. Can I look forward to it?”

“Well… maybe not that much…”

Kaon trailed off, and Alesia let out a clear laugh. He decided to set aside his needless worries for now.

“Are we heading to the back gate?”

“Yes. What I want to show you is there.”

“Come to think of it, we didn’t get to explore the back gate last time.”

After getting out of the carriage, the two walked side by side. Once they arrived at the castle, Alesia seemed to regain her energy and began chatting as usual.

“What could it be? It’s unfair of you not to tell me when I’m so curious.”

She pouted, and Kaon, who wanted nothing more than to tell her right away, held himself back in hopes of a greater surprise.

He planned to introduce Alesia to his little friend, Coda—a cute dog he visited often, especially when he was feeling down.

Considering all she had gone through today and the fatigue of shopping, he thought seeing Coda might cheer her up.

Pant, pant!

They hadn’t even reached the back gate yet when Coda came running toward them from afar, having caught his master’s scent.

To think such a small creature could recognize someone from this distance—what a clever and lovable dog he was.

“Coda, come here.”

Feeling proud, Kaon crouched down and stretched out his arms. Coda, thrilled to hear Kaon’s voice, ran toward him at full speed on his little legs.

“Good boy. You’re such a fast runner.”

As always, Coda rolled onto his back and wagged his tail wildly in greeting. Judging by his plump pink belly, he must have been spoiled with treats by the soldiers again.

“Now, Coda. Be good.”

At Kaon’s stern voice, Coda instantly sat still, understanding the command.

His body fur was a dark bluish-gray and long, while the golden hair on his head, which Kaon had personally trimmed, shimmered with luster—hard to believe he had once been a stray.

And those perfect triangular black eyes and his round nose—he was impossibly cute, the kind of adorable you could hardly believe existed.

Kaon was sure Alesia would love Coda. Brimming with confidence, he turned to her.

“Alesia, this puppy is—”

Kaon’s cheerful expression froze mid-sentence.

“Alesia?”

Alesia stood frozen with a completely unfamiliar expression. It was as if she had turned to stone, showing no reaction whatsoever.

Then she clutched her chest and began to collapse forward.

“Alesia!”

Kaon leapt up and caught her falling body, gripping her shoulders firmly. Her face had gone pale, and she seemed unable to breathe.

“Alesia, what’s happening?! Please, get a hold of yourself!”

“Ah…”

Breathing came first. Kaon gently shook her while holding her shoulders, and thankfully, her eyes began to focus, and she let out a faint groan. But her body remained stiff, unable to move.

“I’ll apologize later.”

With that, Kaon picked her up in his arms. Alesia didn’t even have the strength to protest and allowed herself to be held quietly.

Back in her room, Kaon laid Alesia carefully on the bed as if handling a delicate porcelain doll.

She was so light it scared him. Even knowing she ate properly, he wondered if she was truly getting enough nourishment.

What on earth happened? Why did Alesia suddenly…

Kaon anxiously bit his lip.

Could it have been Coda? That must’ve been it, since nothing else had happened—but he had never imagined such a reaction.

If I’d known, I would’ve at least asked first. Idiot…

Kaon ran a hand roughly through his hair, full of regret. Wanting to bring her a bit of joy had instead brought about this result. His chest tightened with guilt.

While fretting and checking her condition, there came a knock.

“Master Kaon, I’ve brought warm water.”

“Give it to me. What about the doctor?”

“He’s on his way.”

It hadn’t been long since the order was given, but anxiety made everything feel slow.

“Tell him to hu—”

“Kaon.”

As Kaon urgently reached for the cup, he heard a faint voice and felt a cool hand grasp his.

He turned quickly to find Alesia had opened her eyes and was barely holding his hand.

“Alesia, are you awake? Are you okay?”

“…I’m okay. No need to… call the doctor.”

“But—!”

“Please… don’t.”

“…All right.”

Even though he believed a doctor would be best, he couldn’t force it if she was that adamant.

He called for a maid and told her to inform the doctor not to come. Alesia let out a long sigh, finally seeming to relax.

“Could you… give me some water?”

“Ah, yes…”

Only then did Kaon realize his hand was still being held. Alesia’s motion to release it seemed slightly awkward, as if unintentional.

“It’s warm, so sip it slowly.”

Feeling a little embarrassed, Kaon added a word of advice, and Alesia nodded. Thankfully, her complexion had improved significantly.

“I’m sorry. I must’ve scared you. The truth is… I’m a bit afraid of dogs.”

After drinking the water slowly, Alesia apologized in a quiet voice. Kaon firmly shook his head.

“There’s nothing for you to apologize for. It was my fault for not asking beforehand. I’m sorry. I just wanted to give you a little gift.”

Instead, he had nearly caused her to faint. The more he thought about it, the worse he felt and couldn’t bear to look at her.

As he averted his eyes in guilt, Alesia asked softly:

“My mood?”

She looked as though she didn’t quite understand. Kaon hesitated, unable to answer immediately.

“…I thought you might be feeling down for a number of reasons.”

“Oh.”

Alesia blinked and let out a short sound.

“My mood…”

She repeated Kaon’s words as if hearing something unimaginable.

Something about her reaction felt off, like a broken machine. But Kaon, who had just ruined his surprise and revealed only his worry, was too disheartened to notice.

Completely exhausted, Alesia soon drifted off to sleep. Kaon carefully left the room and headed straight to Leonidas’ office.

“Leo!”

“A little knocking won’t make me disappear, you know.”

Leonidas, not even looking up, dryly commented as if she already knew who the rude intruder was.

“Ah, sorry. I’m in a bit of a rush.”

Kaon scratched his head sheepishly and then frowned. A towering stack of documents sat on her desk. Going through that looked exhausting.

“Why are you doing all that by yourself? Are you working alone?”

“Of course not. I’m just reviewing everything that came in.”

“You have to recheck it all?”

“What, should I approve everything without reading it?”

“Hmm, fair enough.”

He realized she was right. Their late father had also constantly wrestled with paperwork in his office.

Though it looked overwhelming, Leonidas flipped through the documents with practiced ease.

Impressive.

Kaon couldn’t help but feel a little solemn. She really was suited for the position of lord.

He couldn’t understand why their uncle and relatives wanted to burden him with such a heavy role.

Not that he was qualified—but even if he were, Kaon had no desire to become a lord. Why give up your peace and sanity for some fancy status? To him, it would be nothing short of torture.

“I assume you didn’t come here just to chat.”

Leonidas pushed a finished pile of documents aside and gestured with her chin, signaling him to speak.

Only then did Kaon recall the reason he’d come. Clenching his fist, he declared:

“I want to take part in the inspection of the Demon Forest.”