Once each party finished putting their signatures on the agreement letter, the cold atmosphere that had previously surrounded them gradually melted away. Melisa and Alexius exchanged a few words after they both knew they had the same intent. From that conversation, Alexius finally realized that Melisa had no other choice but to use his lover as a threat because of his selfishness.
"Before, I ignored your letter because I still didn't know how to behave in front of you. I know you're only doing this because your kingdom is on the line. But more than anything, I still don't want to hurt anyone's heart by accepting this loveless marriage."
Melisa listened as Alexius began to honestly tell her what he really felt since Melisa came to the Sigmund Kingdom. Alexius was a prince who dreamed of having only one life partner like his father. However, when fate set him up with a commoner instead, Alexius knew that the life he imagined would never happen.
Even so, as much as possible, Alexius still protected his partner's heart more than anyone else. That's what made him decide to be cold to any woman suggested by his father. Although of all of them, Melisa had the most tragic background.
"But after talking to you further, I'm glad you're willing to understand my decision. Now that we're on the same path, I hope we can help each other in the future."
Melisa gave a small smile, though her heart was not as beautiful as the smile she made.
"I understand, Your Highness."
KNOCK KNOCK!
"Your Highness, I apologize for disturbing you. But it's time for your swordplay lesson."
Right after Melisa replied to Alexius' words, someone spoke from afar, apparently still remembering that Alexius forbade anyone to approach before he allowed it. Alexius let out a long sigh after that. He looked at Alister and then Melisa and finally said his goodbyes.
"I want to talk more. But I must leave now. Thank you for being here today, Princess. Then, Lord Alister, I would also like to thank you for agreeing to be a witness today. Let us meet again soon."
"Very well, Your Highness."
After Alexius left, Alister's small smile finally faded as well. His face looked conflicted, while his mouth could not say anything. Alister could only stare at Melisa in silence.
Alister's behavior made Melisa feel strange the more she observed her. Melisa wanted to get away from that man immediately. But at the same time, there was something in Alister's eyes that made Melisa stay where she was.
Both of them were silent for a while. Until Alister was finally ready and spoke in a low voice.
"Your Highness, are you alright?"
Alister's voice, held back by emotion, sounded so clear in Melisa's ears. Melisa did not understand why someone she had just met could have so much emotion for her. That kind of feeling confused Melisa, especially when Melisa remembered that she had only recently met Alister.
"I'm fine. As long as His Highness has promised that there will be a time when I can return to my kingdom, I am already content with my life in this place."
Although Melisa's feelings were conflicted after seeing Alister's gaze, the girl still tried to appear calm while answering Alister's question. Not to mention, Melisa also smiled a little to prove that she was really fine. Even if Melisa knew there would be no love in her future marriage, Melisa still smiled because she was truly fine.
"Please don't pretend to be fine when you're not, Your Highness. Not even His Royal Highness can confirm when peace can be implemented throughout the kingdom. If that peace takes a long time, it means you will be seen in this fake relationship for a long time as well."
Desperation could be heard in Alister's words. His attempts to convey his feelings to Melisa were punctuated by a desperate hope that she might reciprocate what Alister thought about this agreement.
"I know that life here teaches you to hide your feelings deeply. But constantly hiding them will only increase your sorrow. Eventually, there will be a time when you won't be able to hide everything anymore. And when those feelings explode, not even yourself could handle that kind of feeling, Your Highness."
"..."
Melisa, who was listening to Alister's words with her eyes wide open, was too shocked to say anything after she heard Alister's words.
"At the very least, try to be honest with the people closest to you. I understand if you choose to hide everything from me. But supposedly, being honest with your personal servants would be fine."
When Alister continued, there was a blend of disappointment and sadness in his words. Alister's words pierced Melisa's tender heart. Alister's expression and words made it difficult for Melisa to speak, so she could only reply to Alister's words after fighting with her heart.
"Thank you for being so considerate of me since I first came to this place, Lord Alister. But I really don't understand what you meant before. I'm really fine. I had anticipated this kind of thing since I left my kingdom. You should know that loveless marriages are common among royalties like us."
Melisa was silent for a few moments before she followed up her words with an even more cruel reply.
"Even if I have to die here, everything is fine as long as my kingdom is safe and sound, Lord Alister."
Melisa was forced to reply cruelly because she did not want to witness Alister's sad expression any longer. Alister's sincere gaze made Melisa gradually feel that it was fine even if she cried in her current situation. Melisa felt that she must not show her weakness in the enemy kingdom. Therefore, hurting Alister's heart and sending him away was a much easier option for Melisa.
Just as Melisa wanted, Alister, who had a bitter face, finally stopped talking when Melisa retaliated in such a cruel manner.
In the end, Alister could only let his wounded heart, throb in pain. The secrecy of his feelings became a heavy burden, overshadowed by the frustration of being unable to bridge the gap between his yearning heart and the oblivious object of his affection.
"Actually, I wish you had never come today. However, after hearing your answer, I know that nothing else can change your mind on this matter."
Alister smiled bitterly, a smile that made Melisa unconsciously show her emotions in front of Alister.
"I only want you to be happy, Your Highness. A good person like you has no right to be hurt like this, even by the people I serve."
It was difficult for Melisa to maintain the same calm expression when faced with the sincerity of Alister's words. Melisa broke her expression when she wanted to ask Alister about the meaning of his final sentence. Unfortunately, before Melisa could speak, Alister finally granted Melisa's wish by immediately ending their conversation.
"I think I have kept you for too long. Your Highness, I wish you always happy, no matter where you are."
And with that, Melisa was left with a ton of new questions about Alister's attitude and words that she could not understand.