<h4>Chapter 188: Alicia''s Feelings 2</h4>
<i>Tranted by AmaLynne </i>
<i> </i>
<span data-contrast="auto">“Sorry for calling you out like this. Now, please have a seat.”?<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“Father? Even Mother is here. What’s going on?”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">?Alicia’s parents weed her into her father’s study.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">Alicia couldn’t help but wonder if there was some particr reason both her father and mother were present. She sat down on the sofa, curious.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">Both her parents took seats on the sofa, facing Alicia across the table.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“Lately, our house has had its fair share of troubles, but it’s also be more festive with some good news. To the point, Viscount Robert has expressed his intention to pursue a betrothal with you, Alicia. We wanted to confirm your feelings about it.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“Does that mean… you want me to marry Jim-sama?”?<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“At the very least, the other party, and none other than Jim, wishes for it.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">The Viscount Robert House had been acquainted with Alicia’s family for some time, primarily due to their mothers being friends from their school days.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">The eldest son, Jim, was a young boy attending a magical academy and Alicia’s childhood friend.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">Jim had held affection for Alicia since childhood, but Alicia, who was somewhat brash and didn’t enjoy listening to people prattle on about themselves, didn’t think too highly of him.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“Jim will graduate from the magical academy this year. He ns to enlist in the magical army. It’s at this juncture that he wants to take Alicia as his wife. Indeed, they n to be engaged until his graduation, after which they will get married.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“Jim is not a bad person. He has talent as a mage, and above all, he has sincerely admired Alicia since childhood. That’s why we’ve been pushing forward with this arrangement.”?<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“…I…”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">?Facing her enthusiastic parents, Alicia’s voice was heavy.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">It was no surprise, as Jim wasn’t the kind of partner she wanted to marry.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">She knew he wasn’t a bad person, but they simply weren’tpatible.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“Of course, if you’re not inclined to go along with it, you’re free to decline. Considering what happened with Lise, we want you both to have the marriage you desire.”?<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“…I don’t intend to oppose your opinion, but it would be quite challenging if you ended up marryingte.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“I understand. However, it’s not an age to rush, is it? Alicia is still only seventeen, isn’t she? She’s still attending school, and I don’t think it would be a bad idea to wait at least until she graduates.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“You’re just saying that because you’ll be lonely when our daughter gets married.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“Hey, hey now, stop that in front of Alicia.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“Hohohoho, my apologies.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">Watching her affectionate parents, Alicia felt a longing for marriage.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">Suddenly, Sam’s face shed in her mind, and once again, her chest ached.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“Now then, Alicia, what do you think? Even if you’re not fond of gentlemen, wouldn’t it be different with your childhood friend, Jim? You see him at least once a month, and I believe he will understand you.”?<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">As a mother, she must be delighted at the thought of Alicia marrying a friend’s son.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">Thinking that way, it became difficult for Alicia to say she disliked Jim.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">Certainly, they saw each other every month, but Alicia had never confided in anyone about how painful that once-a-month encounter was.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">She refrained from speaking about it because she was sure her mother would be disappointed if she found out.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">?However, Alicia began to question herself, wondering if it was okay to let Jim and the marriage proposal proceed this way.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">?(Jim-sama, I’m sorry. After all–)<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">?She couldn’t seem to fulfill her mother’s and Jim’s expectations.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">Alicia took a deep breath and looked straight at her parents.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">?(I must gather the courage. I must speak up!)<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">?If things continued as they were, she would end up hurting Jim.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">She didn’t want an unwanted marriage.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">As a noble’s daughter, she might be considered unfit, but she couldn’t seem to let go of the feelings in her heart.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“…I’m not fond of Jim-sama.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“Alicia?”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">?Summoning her courage, she spoke that one word and the rest came naturally.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“He’s always so self-absorbed, and he’s never once listened to me. It’s always just about his aplishments. I hated having to endlessly listen to his self-praise. He’s not someone who listens to my stories like Sam does.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“Alicia, could it be that you…”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">Her parents were taken aback by her unexpected mention of Sam’s name, and they asked cautiously.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“…Yes. I hold affection for Sam-sama.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">