Following Alister's wishes, Melisa's request to visit Alister personally was finally accepted by Marquess Webster. The palace's horse-drawn carriage arrived at Marquess Webster's residence in the morning. And, because the mastermind behind the person who tried to harm Melisa had not been found, a group of royal knights accompanied Melisa wherever the princess went from then on.
As soon as the horse-drawn carriage Melisa was riding in completely stopped, someone approached the carriage to open the door. The first to get out of the carriage was Teresa, who had insisted on accompanying Melisa everywhere since the attack occurred. Then, when he had safely disembarked, he turned around to help Melisa get off the carriage.
"...Your Highness."
Marquess Webster is one of the noble protectors in the Sigmund Kingdom. He is also a direct subordinate of the Alison Family. Because of this, he was usually so busy that he didn't pay much attention to the gossip going on in the palace.
The last time Marquess Webster met Melisa, the girl still hadn't completely gotten rid of her stiff nature when wearing complicated dresses and acting like people in the Sigmund Kingdom. However, this time, the princess in front of him was different from the last time Marquess Webster saw him. Melisa's cold demeanor meant that Marquess Webster didn't recognize Melisa. That was why his greeting sounded a bit dragged out, while his expression looked strange for a while.
"It's nice to meet you, Lord Webster."
Melisa's gaze reflected nothing but emptiness, which made Marquess Webster lower his head again for a moment after seeing her face. The girl didn't even smile when she spoke. Even though her tone sounded polite, Melisa still gave off an aura as if it was difficult for other people to approach her.
The young Melisa that Marquess Webster knew was a cheerful girl who was not afraid of anyone. Even though at first Marquess Webster quite hated Melisa for making their son disobedient, seeing her change so drastically since the girl lived in the Sigmund Kingdom managed to disrupt Marquess Webster's feelings.
"Because I came to express my gratitude to your son, I also brought some gifts for you and your family. Lord Webster, I hope you are willing to accept them."
"Of course, Your Highness. To be able to receive a gift from you is our greatest honor."
Even though Marquess Webster's feelings were a little complicated every time he heard Melisa's voice, which was so calm it felt scary, the man managed to deal with everything quite well. The man ordered someone to help the people Melisa had brought with them to put the gifts the girl had brought into their residence. Meanwhile, Marquess Webster personally took Melisa to meet Alister.
"Your Highness, because my son is still not fully recovered, I hope you understand that he can only welcome you on his bed."
Melisa didn't open her mouth throughout their journey, so Marquess Webster took the initiative to speak to break the silence that had previously enveloped them. Marquess Webster did not immediately get an answer from Melisa. Because of that awkward pause, Marquess Webster wondered whether Melisa hated him for trying to separate Alister from him.
"It's not a problem. I came here to thank and visit him, not to bother him because of my arrival."
After a long pause, Melisa finally answered the question when they were finally in front of Alister's bedroom door. Marquess Webster smiled awkwardly at that answer. It feels like talking to Melisa now is much more difficult than even talking to King Dillion.
Marquess Webster tried to remain professional as he smiled more sincerely and answered Melisa's words in a low voice.
"I thank you for your generosity, Your Highness."
Marquess Webster knocked on Alister's door, then opened it when Alister answered from inside the room. Melisa entered first after the door opened, followed by Teresa. Marquess Webster seemed to be able to pick up on the signal his son was sending. Because this would be the last time Marquess Webster granted Alister's wish, he finally chose to give in by just escorting Melisa outside Alister's room.
"Then, I'll take my leave, Your Highness."
BLAM!
Alister's bedroom door closed again after that. Teresa swiftly prepared a chair so that Melisa could sit close to Alister. Meanwhile, he preferred to stand in the corner of the room to make room for his master to speak privately with Alister.
"How are you?"
Even though Alister seemed reluctant to look at her and didn't greet her first as usual, Melisa still calmly asked the man. Melisa could see that Alister's hands were clenched into fists after that. However, in contrast to his emotions, Alister's tone was also quite calm when he answered the question.
"Thank you for your concern, but I'm fine. This wound...is nothing to me."
"I heard that you were removed from the list of heirs because your injury made you unable to wield the sword again. Lord Alister, that is not the kind of injury you can take lightly."
Alister was silent because he was afraid that his emotions would explode when he opened his mouth too much. Seeing Melisa in person made Alister's feelings so messy since the girl entered his room. Even though Alister keeps saying that he will soon forget Melisa for the good of both of them, meeting her in person still seems to be too much for Alister.
Alister wants to meet Melisa. But at the same time, he didn't want to meet Melisa for their good, like what people told him.
"For your services in saving the lives of me and my servant, I promise to grant you one wish, whatever it is, in the future. As a princess, that's what I can promise you now."
Alister smiled bitterly. The man increasingly averted his gaze from Melisa as he muttered in a low voice.
"Unfortunately, Your Highness, you know that you will not be able to grant me what I desire most."
Alister clenched his fists tighter before he continued his words in a smaller voice.
"We both know that what we want will never come true."
Even though Alister's voice was small enough for someone to hear, Melisa managed to hear everything. The girl knew what Alister meant by what he said. But on the outside, he didn't show any expression, when he finally got back up from his sitting position.
"I just came to see how you are, and thank you. I won't bother you for too long. Farewell, Lord Alister. I hope you can recover quickly."
"I will marry Lady Vanessa."
Melisa, who was originally about to leave Alister, suddenly stopped walking. The girl turned around and then gave Alister a faint smile.
"I congratulate you, Lord Alister. Now, if you excuse me."
Melisa looked forward again and no longer looked back after she finished congratulating her while smiling at Alister. However, without even looking, Melisa could tell that Alister was crying because of what she said. Melisa felt something that was not much different. Even though she had practiced and was used to having a calm expression on her face, Melisa felt a mist covering her eyes before Teresa came forward to block her path.
"Teresa."
"You can wipe your tears first, Your Highness. I will protect you. No one will be able to see you from this angle."
Melisa smiled sadly. The girl squeezed Teresa's clothes tightly before she rested her head on the woman's chest.
"Thank you, Teresa."
In the corner of the corridor, Teresa protected Melisa from the gaze of anyone who tried to see her master, who was trying hard to hold back her tears.
***
"Your Highness."
When Melisa finally calmed down, they continued their journey back and were greeted by Marquess Webster, who looked surprised that Melisa would come out so quickly. Without meaning to, Marquess Webster tried to look at Melisa's slightly lowered face. But before he could look at her, the usually obedient Teresa first came forward to cover Marquess Webster's Melisa's face.
"Please forgive my impudence, my Lord. However, because my master has not yet fully recovered, she gets tired more quickly and hopes to return to the palace as soon as possible after she is finished with her business."
Marquess Webster was surprised by Teresa's courage to block his view. But he wasn't an unreasonable man who would get angry just because of that. Marquess Webster stepped back, then smiled politely at Teresa.
"Okay, I understand. Once again, thank you for taking the time to come to our residence, Your Highness."
Melisa just nodded before she continued her journey to leave the residence while being accompanied by Marquess Webster. Marquess Webster stopped a few steps from the horse-drawn carriage, which already waiting for Melisa to return. The man thought Melisa wouldn't say anything else. But unexpectedly, Melisa stopped to look at him, right before the girl got on the horse-drawn carriage.
"Marquess Webster, I promise I will prevent Lord Alister from getting involved in any threats again from now on. I will protect him. That's a promise I can give you."
Marquess Webster was shocked when he seemed to hear the same words that Melisa had said to him dozens of years ago. Sadness entered Marquess Webster's eyes after that. If only fate didn't have to be this cruel to his son and Melisa, Marquess Webster swore he would support his son's love with Melisa with all his ability.
"Thank you, Your Highness."
But unfortunately, since the beginning of their meeting, fate has refused to bring them together. Marquess Webster could only see Melisa off sadly and let her live her fate in the royal palace, which was so cruel to girls like her.