Page 80 of The Fifth Life of Alicia
Was it foolish of me to hope that perhaps I could stay here?
Yes. It was.
It was a dangerous way of thinking. Wanting to stay here was what had led Original Alicia to her downfall, after all, but I wasn’t a mean person. Even if by some miracle I fell in love with Kalon, I was the kind of person who would give up on my happiness for the people I cared about.
If I fell for him and he fell for Lillia, I’d let him go.
It was easy to say, I know, but the alternative was to die.
Besides, love wasn’t the only way to obtain happiness. My goal in this life was to find happiness as Alicia Vermillion, and happiness always came with a little heartbreak.
I sighed and popped my head back out of the covers.
Maybe I would just have to wing it.
Chapter Nineteen – Kalon
All About Alicia
“Are you busy?”
Alicia looked up from her desk, hitting me with her bright green eyes. “Good morning to you, too.”
“That doesn’t answer my question.”
“You’re an intelligent man. Do I look busy?”
That mouth of hers was going to get her in trouble one day.
Even if I couldn’t deny that I liked the fact that she spoke to me like this.
“Not particularly,” I said, walking into the office and looking at the maid waiting there—was her name Lydia? “Leave us.”
She curtseyed. “Yes, Your Highness.”
I watched her leave, then turned back to Alicia. “The hunting competition is only two weeks away.”
“Unfortunately,” she replied, sighing heavily. “Please excuse me if I come down with a chronic headache the day we have to leave and can’t accompany you.”
“That won’t do.” I sat in the chair opposite her. “This will be our first appearance as an engaged couple, and my father will be expecting us to announce the wedding.”
Her shoulders stiffened. “But we haven’t discussed it yet.”
“It’s only been a few days since I returned. Either way, we must figure something out.” I eyed her suspiciously. “As well as coordinate our outfits for the ball.”
“We’re coordinating?”
“Yes. We’re engaged, Alicia. We should look the part of a couple, don’t you think?” I raised my eyebrows. “There’s also the fact that my father believes I fell in love with you at first sight.”
She coughed, dropping her pen. “He what?”
I shrugged. “How else do you think I got you off the Crown Princess shortlist? You were the first choice for both the Emperor and the Empress, and I think my brother was equally as taken with you at the ball.”
“Ugh.” She shivered, rubbing her bare arms.
“Ugh? Not many people would say that about the Crown Prince taking a liking to them.”
“If you haven’t already realised, I’m resoundingly uninterested in his feelings towards me.” She paused. “If that is the case, I suppose there’s no other option but to do things your way.”
