While standing at the entrance of the bath, I faced Alex-sama.

“Alex-sama, previously, you told me that you were indebted to me. I want you to explain the meaning behind those words.”

Whether or not Alex-sama would leave and what was going to happen to the position of the Margrave of Arkhangelsk, those were the main points of our discussion, but I decided to not cut to the chase.

The reason was because I was sure Alex-sama’s answer would remain the same.

So, before that, I decided to talk about my school days. I believed that by talking about our pasts, he’d let down his guard a little. That way, it might be possible to alter his future decisions.

Besides, I had always been curious about the meaning behind Alex-sama’s words. I was merely scared to face the truth.

The reason why Alex-sama loved me. That was precisely why he begged me to the point of kneeling to stay with him.

I had avoided asking about it all this time. I was probably scared.

If I were to hear the reason, I felt like the spell would break.

But I couldn’t keep running away.

I had to know more about Alex-sama.

What was Alex-sama worried about? What was he struggling with? I had both the right and the duty to know.

“I can’t answer that…”

Alex-sama shook his head.

As expected, he refused to answer.

But that didn’t mean I should give up!

I poured alcohol from a nearby basin onto the stones surrounding the fireplace. The heated stones instantly transformed the liquid into steam.

I continued pouring more and more.

Alex-sama’s expression turned grim.

“A, Alisa, if you do that, something terrible will—!”

Steam was filling the room. The temperature was rising steadily.

I began to sweat. I could feel the towel clinging to my body.

“Answer, otherwise, this room will get hotter and hotter!”

“I can just leave the room?”

Alex-sama said that before tightly shutting his mouth.

After all, I was standing at the entrance. He’d be able to leave the Banya if he forced me aside.

But it wasn’t like Alex-sama was capable of that.

Because… Alex-sama was kind.

Alex-sama looked at me with a troubled smile.

When I was about to pour the remaining alcohol on the fireplace, Alex-sama finally relented.

“I, I understand.”

“What did I do to Alex-sama back in the academy?”

Alex-sama averted his gaze away. His expression became painful.

“I told Alisa that I’m indebted to you… that is, because I made Alisa the fiancée of the prince.”

“Eh?”

“To make Alisa my fiancée—that was the outcome of my own actions.”

I couldn’t believe Alex-sama’s words. I thought our engagement was political in nature.

However, Alex-sama didn’t appear to be lying.

---

***T/N: I have good news and a bit of a bad news!! The good news is, this book is getting a novelization and would be released on June! The slightly bad news, er… we’ve caught up with the raw, and the last time author updated this story is back in January…

Please also consider donating to my ko-fi! It’ll greatly support me in action, no matter the amount!
https://ko-fi.com/antoinettevanessa

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