VTGWH 519

I do not resist, and the guards grab my arms from both sides.

Standing in the distance, Julie-sama looked at me with sharp eyes, turned away and walked somewhere.

...It was good that I made this plan and met Julie-sama safely. But I could get sanctioned by her safely after this, right? 

With a touch of apprehension, I continued on my way.

"Alicia?" (Duke)

My favorite voice of all calling my name. I glance over to the owner of that voice.

Duke-sama was looking at me with wide eyes. Even freshly awakened, he was still as beautiful as ever.

With all the surrounding noise, it seemed as if time had stopped. It was like there was a space just for me and Duke-sama.

This was the second time I've said a big goodbye to Duke-sama. ...Even when I was going to Ravaal, I didn't tell him I loved him.

I was sure that I had already fallen in love with him at first sight from the very beginning.

I turned around and gave a small smile.

"Duke-sama, I love you, and I have for a long time now." (Alicia)

For the first time, I expressed my feelings in words.

I had always felt I had to tell him. Love is invisible, so I shook my throat to make the insubstantial feeling right.

When I said, "I love you," I felt the feeling become real for the first time.

As Duke-sama froze, I was led away by a guard.

I wondered what I looked like in his eyes. I hope that the last time he saw me, I was dignified.

From the outside, we may have been in love and there may have been a tremendous story there, but in reality, it was just my free and foolish behavior.

I was putting my self-interest before the one I love.... When I think about it, Duke-sama had always been very me-centered.

I couldn't help but relax my cheeks even though I was about to go to hell.

I may have wasted all the love that Duke-sama had been giving me until now. Maybe I should have spoiled Duke-sama before making this plan.

But I was going forward with my life, believing only in my own beliefs.

Alicia Williams was fine with this. She shines as the villainess who made a threat of blowing up the royal palace....

There was no need to feel sadness.

This was the second time I've been caught by the palace guards. In Duelkis, that made me a felon.

Normally, I should be excited and happy, but now I feel nervous because of the fear of facing Julie-sama.

I was about to meet the rascals who deported my grandfather and the other old uncles to that place, took away Uncle Will's eyes, and banished him to the village of Roana.

I've been through the rough patches many times before, but this time was very different.

Normally, an audience with the King, the most powerful man in the country, would have been more nerve-wracking, but my heart was more restless as I was about to face Julie-sama.

I took a deep breath and kept my mind calm as I walked forward.