Chapter 195: The Arranged Marriage Has Been Canceled
Translated by AmaLynne
Jim Robert, called by his parents, had eagerly rushed to his father’s study upon hearing there were developments regarding his marriage to the one he loved.
However, the expressions his parents wore when they met him weren’t particularly bright.
He found it somewhat strange that they didn’t seem pleased about his upcoming marriage with Alicia, which should have been a cause for celebration.
“You’ve arrived, Jim. You probably already know, but there have been some changes regarding your engagement to Alicia Walker-sama of the Count Walker. We thought we should inform you.”
“Yes!”
Jim couldn’t contain his excitement at the long-awaited moment.
However, his parents’ expressions made it seem as if something wasn’t right. He felt an odd sense of foreboding.
“Unfortunately, this engagement has been canceled.”
“What? Huh? What did you just say?”
“I said the engagement with Alicia-sama has been canceled.”
“That’s right.”
Jim couldn’t simply accept his parents’ words.
But the issue went deeper than that.
He didn’t want to comprehend what they were saying
“What… What do you mean?”
“Alicia-sama has become engaged to Court Wizard Samuel Scheidt.”
“–Eh?”
Jim couldn’t understand his parents’ words once again. He had no idea what they were talking about.
Alicia Walker.
Jim’s childhood friend and the love of his life.
He had adored her since he was young, and she was the ideal lady with a modest personality.
She was completely different from the rowdy and strong-willed girls at the magic school.
She was the perfect woman for Jim and his future wife.
The idea of Alicia being engaged to another man was something he couldn’t even begin to accept.
“This… This can’t be happening. What do you mean? Alicia was supposed to like me, wasn’t she!?”
“You believed that, didn’t you? You often told us the same.”
“Yes.”
“Y-Yes, t-that’s right!”
“That’s why we thought it was a good match and proceeded with the discussions.”
“Then why!?”
Jim couldn’t comprehend it.
His thoughts were racing, unable to catch up.
He had never imagined even once that Alicia would be engaged to someone other than him.
He had believed that she would be with him, creating a warm family together.?
“We’ve never had any reason to doubt your words until now. Why did you think Alicia-sama liked you?”
“Because… Because she always listened to me! Every time we met, she listened to me and smiled!”
“May I ask one more thing? Do you always talk during your matchmaking meetings?”
“Well, yes, I suppose. Alicia has a modest personality, so she wouldn’t insist on talking too much even if I were there. She’s different from the rowdy girls at the magic school!”
“Sigh…”
Jim’s mother let out a deep sigh, and his father wore a bitter expression.
“What are Alicia’s likes?”
“Huh?”
“As childhood friends, you should at least know what Alicia-sama likes, don’t you? Please, tell me.”
“Well… uh?”
Jim couldn’t answer his mother’s question.
Alicia had always listened to him and smiled gently, but now he realized he had never asked her about herself.
He had always shared what happened at school, the good and bad things, but he had never asked about her.
–However, in retrospect, he realizes he never asked Alicia about her preferences or interests.
“W-well, I…”
“I thought it would be cruel to bring it up, but it’s important for the future.”
“W-what do you mean?”
“It seems Alicia-sama didn’t like you.”
“Th-that can’t be…”
“You always talked about yourself and never showed any interest in what Alicia-sama had to say. She found it lonely, even painful.”
“T-That’s…”
Jim wished he could block his ears.
But he had no strength left and just slumped in his seat.
“To be clear, Alicia-sama doesn’t dislike you. But she doesn’t think she can grow closer to someone she finds difficult.”
“……”
“I also have some regrets. I should have just pretended to go along with your conversation about marrying Alicia-sama, given our close relationship with the Walker family. I might have hoped for things to go well at the Walker household too.”
Perhaps there were noble expectations involved, but at the very least, Jim had been delighted at the prospect of fulfilling a promise made in their younger days.
That’s why he had taken his son’s words at face value, assuming Alicia was equally happy.
“Perhaps you couldn’t help but feel self-conscious in front of your first love. I don’t blame you for that. But because of Alicia-sama’s modest personality, it seems your compatibility was not ideal.”
“Mother, what should I do? How can I win Alicia?”
His mother was clear in her response, even if it was difficult to accept.
“There was never a connection with Alicia-sama.”
“That’s…”
“Jim might not be able to accept it, but there’s no point in marrying a woman who doesn’t want it. It could lead to discord in the household. You’re still young; you’ll have the chance for a good match in the future.”
“That’s right…”
For some reason, Jim’s parents seemed to be on Alicia’s side, but Jim couldn’t accept it, not in the least.
Even if he were to reject her, he felt he should hear it directly from Alicia.
He had always made sure to communicate his feelings to her, and he expected the same sincerity in return.
Until Alicia said she had chosen someone else over him, Jim couldn’t bring himself to give up.
“That’s right…”
“Jim?”
“I won’t accept it! I won’t give up on Alicia!”
“Wait! Jim! Let’s talk this through properly!”
Ignoring his parents’ words, Jim stormed out of his father’s study.
Unable to contain his turbulent emotions, he ran aimlessly for a while.
After leaving the mansion and walking through the town for some time, he finally regained his composure.
“Alicia… Did you never like me at all? I’ve been thinking about you for years… If you didn’t like me talking about myself all the time, you should have said something! I wouldn’t have known unless you told me!”
The sky began to cry, its tears falling like Jim’s emotions.
The rain gradually intensified, soaking Jim to the bone. Although the wet clothes clung uncomfortably to his skin, the cold rain helped clear his head.
Jim turned back toward his mansion.
“I just want to meet Alicia once. I need to hear her side of the story.”
Jim whispered to himself as he continued to walk through the town.
The source of this c𝐨ntent is fre𝒆w(e)bn(o)vel