We walked in silence. There was nothing more I wanted to say, and I wasn't sure Alicia would answer if I forced her to talk. So I chose to stay quiet. Talking too much would only increase the chances of making a mistake.
Slowly, I began to realize that we had reached the edge of the city.
Suddenly, Alicia stopped walking.
I followed her line of sight. On the terrace of a building not far from us, Alfred stood still, wearing a white-and-gold suit—clearly not a uniform. His posture was upright, almost rigid, and his gaze was fixed on us.
"Why?" I asked softly. "Is there something about Alfred?"
"I… I don't know why Prince Alfred is here," Alicia answered quietly.
The rain kept falling, soaking the stone floor of the terrace where Alfred stood. He stared at us for a few more seconds, then stepped down and approached us. No umbrella. No hesitation. As if the rain meant nothing.
I felt Alicia's grip on my arm tighten. Her body shifted slightly backward—an instinct too clear to ignore. I didn't say anything, only adjusted my position, stepping half a pace in front of her.
"Lucian," Alfred's voice cut sharply through the rain even before he was truly close. Water dripped from his hair and noble coat, yet his eyes remained cold and focused. "What are you doing with Alicia?"
The tone wasn't a question. It was more like an accusation wrapped in formality.
"I'm walking her home," I replied calmly.
Alfred's gaze dropped to Alicia's hand, still gripping my arm. For a moment—just a moment—his expression cracked. Then he smiled faintly. A neat, polite smile that carried no warmth at all.
"Alicia," he said, shifting his attention fully to her. "You should have told me. I was looking for you."
Alicia fell silent. Her breath caught slightly before she spoke."H-how does Your Highness know where I'm staying?" she asked carefully.
Alfred's smile didn't change."There are many ways," he answered shortly.
"Let go of her," he continued, still looking at Alicia as if I didn't exist. "I'll escort you."
I didn't move.
"She already said she's fine," I said flatly. "And she didn't ask for special protection."
Alfred's gaze shifted to me—sharp, pressing, filled with warning."You're forgetting your place, Lucian."
I met his eyes without raising my voice."And you forgot to bring an umbrella," I replied. "And the fact that Alicia isn't anyone's property."
Silence fell between us—heavy and soaked by the rain. Alicia took a deep breath. Without saying a word, I tightened my grip on her hand—this time firmly—and walked past Alfred toward the inn's terrace.
I didn't look back.
Behind me, I could feel that stare. Cold. Hurt. Angry.
When we reached the terrace, Alicia stopped. Her hand trembled slightly in mine.
"Thank you," she said softly. "I… I can go in by myself."
I nodded."Go in, and drink something warm so you don't get sick."
She hesitated for a moment, then went inside. The wooden door closed slowly, leaving only the sound of the rain—and one person who hadn't left.
"Lucian."
I turned around.
Alfred stood a few steps away from me. The rain had soaked his entire coat, making him look far removed from the flawless prince he usually was. Yet his eyes were sharper than ever.
"We need to talk," he said.
I glanced at the inn's door, making sure Alicia was truly out of sight. Then I looked back at Alfred.
"Here?" I asked briefly.
"Now," he replied.
I let out a quiet breath and walked a few steps away, toward the darker side of the terrace. Alfred followed. Now it was just the two of us, accompanied by rain and dim lights.
"What's your business with Alicia?" he asked without any preamble.
I looked at the rain falling in front of us."I could ask you the same thing."
Alfred's jaw tightened."She's under my protection."
"Protection," I repeated softly. "Or surveillance?"
His gaze hardened even more."You're being insolent."
"Maybe," I said calmly. "But I'm not the one secretly finding out where she lives without her knowing."
Silence.
The rain hammered harder against the terrace roof, as if pressing down on the unspoken words.
"I won't hurt her," Alfred finally said, more quietly than before.
I looked straight at him, no longer trying to soften my tone."Be honest," I said calmly but firmly. "Are you the one who made Alicia leave the dormitory?"
The rain continued to pour, striking the stone floor between us. Alfred fell silent for a moment, then his brows knit sharply.
"No," he answered shortly.
He shook his head, this time more firmly, as if making sure I didn't misunderstand."It wasn't me," he continued. "It was Charlotte."
I raised an eyebrow, waiting for an explanation.
"I've already taken care of it," Alfred said, his voice restrained. "Charlotte was warned and pushed away. She won't dare approach Alicia again."
"Then why did Alicia still leave the dormitory?" I asked.
Alfred went quiet. For a brief moment, the firmness typical of a noble disappeared from his eyes."That's what I don't understand," he finally said. "Logically, the problem should have been resolved."
I looked at him, then asked as if recalling something belatedly."By the way… where were you today? Why weren't you by Alicia's side?"
Alfred frowned.
In my mind, a hard-to-ignore fact resurfaced—this man even monitored Alicia in secret, all the way to the bar where she worked.
Alfred stayed silent for a few seconds before clicking his tongue."This is because of you," he said coldly.
I raised an eyebrow.
"You ruined my clothes badly that day," he continued, his tone clearly restrained. "I couldn't go to school in that condition. I had to stay back and order new clothes."
"Ah…" I muttered softly, suddenly remembering. That day, I had also used my cape and turned it into threads for a weapon. I figured I'd need to order a new cape as well.
"Like I said," I finally said, "I had no intention other than walking her home. See you."
I turned and started to walk away.
"Remember this," Alfred's voice came from behind me, low and threatening, "if you ever have any thoughts about Alicia, I will kill you."
I stopped, then turned back. Our eyes met. His gaze held hostility that wasn't hidden at all.
"Of course," I replied shortly.
I turned again and walked away.
I knew one thing for certain—Alfred needed to be killed.