<h4>Chapter 191: Alicia''s Crush...Huh? 1</h4>
<i>Tranted by AmaLynne </i>
<i> </i>
<span data-contrast="auto">“Hey? Lise-sama, you’re still awake?”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">Sam, who had finished his training with Hanae and Mizuki and had taken a bath, returned to his room. There, he found Lise sitting up in bed, wearing her nightgown with a cardigan draped over it, ready to receive him.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“Oh, yes, there’s something I wanted to talk to you about.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“Talk? What is it?”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“It might be a bit of a difficult conversation. Come and sit next to me.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">Lise gestured for him to join her, and Sam took a seat on the bed.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“By the way, what happened to Hanae and the others?”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“They’re taking a break since they worked up a sweat. I mean, seriously, during our sparring match, even though it was just practice, they came at me with everything they had. I thought I was going to die.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">During his recent battle with Kurando Amemiya, Sam had fought with all his might.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">Although there were still many magical abilities he hadn’t revealed, he had given it his all at that moment.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">As a result, he had overwhelmed the country’s top swordsman.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">Seeing Sam’s full strength, Hanae and Mizuki, who were witnessing it firsthand, didn’t hold back when sparring with him.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">They probably wanted to bring out Sam’s full potential.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">However, since Sam was training them in closebat, he used magic sparingly.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">They were trying to push Sam to use his magic by cornering him during their sparring sessions.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“Haha, Hanae and Mizuki are bothpetitive, aren’t they? They want to challenge you at your best.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“Hahaha, they sure do.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“Anyway, back to the main topic.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“Yes?”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“What do you think about Alicia?”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">Sam tilted his head in confusion as to why Lise was suddenly asking about Alicia.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">He couldn’t quite grasp her intentions.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“Hmm? You mean Alicia-sama?”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“Yes, I want to know what you think of her.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“I think she’s a wonderful person. You can tell she’s good from the way she gets along with the baby dragons. She’s kind. Although I was surprised by her overly energetic side. Recently, she’s been inviting baby dragons into her room and living together with them. The me Dragon still hasn’t returned for some reason, so the kids are delighted.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“That’s true. I never knew she had such a lively side.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">Lise’s interest in Alicia’s character seemed to be genuine, but Sam couldn’t help but wonder why she was asking about her.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">Both of them exchanged wry smiles.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">They had initially thought of Alicia as a shy and introverted girl, but she also dared to take walks on the backs of dragons.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">Sam had no trouble interacting with the me Dragon family, given hisbat skills, but Alicia was different.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">Sam understood how courageous it was for a girl withoutbat abilities to get along with dragons that possessed overwhelming power over humans.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“Moreover, she’s quite knowledgeable because she reads a lot of books. I heard she’s also an excellent student at school, so she’s truly remarkable. Above all, we have great conversations. I also love stories, so we’ve been getting excited discussing popr bookstely.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">While taking care of the baby dragons, Sam enjoyed having various conversations with Alicia.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">Initially, she had kept her distance from him because she was ufortable around men, but now they were close.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">He looked forward to spending time with her.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“I see. So, Sam, you like Alicia.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“Of course. There’s no way I could dislike Alicia-sama.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“I understand. I’m relieved to hear your feelings.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“Relieved? What do you mean?”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">Sam was perplexed, not quite grasping Lise’s intentions. Lise, with a satisfied expression, then spoke.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“Sam, let’s wee Alicia as your wife.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“Huh?”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“Technically, it’s still just an engagement, but like us, she’ll be your…”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“W-Wait a minute. What do you mean?”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">Sam was utterly bewildered by why Lise suddenly wanted to make Alicia his fiancée.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“Why? Don’t you like Alicia?”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“Well, yes, but not in that sense. Besides, isn’t there talk of a marriage proposal for Alicia-sama? Well, she doesn’t seem very enthusiastic about it herself.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“She’s not enthusiastic about it because she has someone she likes.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“Oh, I see. So, with that person…”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">Sam wondered who the person Alicia liked might be.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">It had to be someone she had feelings for.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
.
<span data-contrast="auto">Someone kind.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“It’s you.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“Huh?”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“Alicia likes you, Sam.”<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">“Wha…?”?<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">
<span data-contrast="auto">Upon hearing the word “likes” from Lise, Sam couldn’t believe his ears and responded with a dumbfounded voice.<span datap-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}">