Chapter 63

Alesia began to act as a mage, showing her face in public.

Naturally, it was difficult for her to live a low-profile life as an ordinary person in the city. Surrounded by guards, she drew attention even when she was at the market or the library.

People in the market who used to call out to her, "Alesia-chan!" no longer did so once they learned she was a mage protected by the state; instead, they bowed their heads slightly.

Alesia thought to herself, *I hope they will get used to the presence of the guards eventually,* feeling a bit lonely.

---

One day, after filling the water tanks in various places and returning from the palace in a carriage, the two of them sat side by side and had a conversation.

"Your Highness, I’m thinking about building a small hut at the edge of the farm for me to sleep in. Gil has often said that the rain falling in the residential area and seeping into the ground is a waste."

The rain that Alesia, at sixteen, could summon had a diameter of about 3,200 meters. With her current home located near the poor district within the farm, one-third of the rain fell on the residential area. This proportion was likely to increase to more than one-third in the future.

"Gil? Why is Gil making such suggestions without consulting me?"

"Apparently, if my sleeping quarters were built near the wasteland of the farm, it would allow for the expansion of the state-managed mulberry fields."

"Probably the advice of the finance minister. I’m sorry, Alesia, for putting you in this situation."

While it was reassuring to have his concern, Alesia was already sixteen and had no complaints or anxieties about sleeping in a small hut.

"No, it’s fine. I can be of more help to many people this way. However, I’m a bit hesitant about using state funds to build a house. I have enough money to build a small hut for myself."

Hearing Alesia’s words, Marcus fell into thought.

"Alesia, what if the state builds a small palace for you, and you live with me?"

Alesia looked into Marcus’s eyes.

"Do you dislike the idea?"

"I don’t dislike it. If it’s acceptable to you."

Marcus, who had expected her to refuse, looked taken aback.

"…What did you just say?"

"I said, if it’s acceptable to you. There are few people who would consider marrying a troublesome woman like me, and if your proposal from a year ago is still valid, I would be honored to live with you… *Guh!*"

Marcus hugged Alesia with all his might.

"Guh, guh, you’re breaking me, Your Highness! My spine will break!"

After patting Marcus’s back, he finally loosened his grip.

"That’s a relief… I was seriously prepared to wait for ten years. I won’t accept any cancellations now."

"I won’t cancel. This year, I’ve been able to make a decision by working with you every day."

Marcus’s face showed concern.

"Are you pushing yourself too hard?"

"No, I’m not. Since you came to our home six years ago to eat petit fours, you have always respected my opinions. You have also continued to protect me and my parents. There’s no one in the world as reliable as you… *Ugh*"

Marcus, who had loosened his grip, hugged her tightly again.

"If you find being a princess difficult, please be honest with me."

"What would happen if I said it was difficult?"

"I’ll listen to all your complaints and try to make improvements where possible."

Alesia couldn’t help but chuckle.

What Alesia liked about Marcus was his strong core, which seemed weak at first glance. Working with him, she realized he was very flexible while maintaining his principles.

He had never used phrases like "because you’re a woman" or "because you’re a commoner." He listened when it was necessary and accepted suggestions when he thought they were appropriate, showing a deep understanding.

*With him, I can…*

Marcus had waited for her to feel this way. His patience and broad-mindedness gradually won her heart.

It had been six years since they first met at the farm. Marcus’s problematic first love had finally come to fruition.

---

However, Alesia had one misunderstanding.

She thought, *No one would want to marry a troublesome woman like me,* but in reality, marriage proposals from nobles and princes of other countries were flooding the state.

The domestic nobles aimed to incorporate the benefits into their families, while the princes of other countries proposed that they move to this country and, in return, one of their children would be registered in their home country.

The king had rejected all these proposals.

Knowing the backstage, Marcus was anxious when Alesia once pronounced "knowledge is power" in Balwara language accurately.

*Has she already made a marriage promise with someone in Balwara? Is she learning Balwara language to prepare for a marriage there?*

He hurriedly investigated but found no one in Balwara who was dating Alesia or proposing marriage directly, so he was relieved.

---

Night. In Alesia’s kitchen.

"Father, Mother, I’ve accepted the marriage proposal from His Highness."

For a moment, her parents were speechless. Her mother, Ilda, was the first to speak.

"It’s going to be tough, isn’t it?"

"Yes, it will be. But His Highness has always been kind. He has always cared for me. There will be challenges, but I’m not too worried."

Finally, her father, Serio, spoke.

"Alesia, I’ll miss you."

"No, no, that’s not it. I think a small palace will be built at the edge of the farm. So even after I get married, I’ll still live here."

"Huh?"

"What do you mean?"

"His Highness will build a small palace at the edge of the farm and live there. So I can still be with you and Mother. I have to make it rain on the farm, after all."

"Wh-What?!"

"The Crown Prince will live in this farm?"

"Well, he might spend half the week at the palace."

"Alesia, no matter what, I’m glad. When you were born, I couldn’t sleep, thinking about how difficult your life might be."

Her father’s voice was trembling.

"Your mother and I talked about it. We decided that if this child would have a hard life, we would cherish her even more."

Her mother, tears streaming down her face, gently hugged her.

"Congratulations, Alesia."

"Thank you, Father, Mother. I’ve been so happy because of you both. No matter how much I thank you, it’s not enough."

If it weren’t for these people, what kind of life would she have had?

Just in case, this is not the end; it continues.