The Hero's Forsaken Princess
Chapter 115: His First Love

Chapter 115: His First Love

’She found the man she truly loves... but she won’t divorce me. What is the meaning of that?’ Alaric asked himself, confused.

Before he could ask her to explain further, a tiny voice suddenly interrupted them.

"Big Bro! Big Sis!" Leon ran in their direction.

Alaric groaned inwardly, pouting his lips. He thought he could finally spend some time alone with his wife. However, he was wrong. Leon and the other children just arrived after receiving lessons from Marie and Claire.

"Oh, Leon! You are back! How’s your class with Sis Marie and Sir Claire?" Eve welcomed him with a smile.

"Big Sis Eve, my friends and I had so much fun. They taught us how to wash our hands properly. They said we could prevent the disease from spreading by just washing our hands." The young boy happily shared his learnings for today’s lesson.

"Tomorrow, they will teach us how to read and write!" he added excitedly.

Eve and Alaric could only smile as they listened to them.

"I’ll go and prepare our dinner first. You can play with Leon. I know you are still tired so I won’t allow you to cook tonight," Alaric said as he volunteered to cook dinner for them.

Eve nodded in agreement. She took a deep sigh while watching Alaric’s retreating figure. She was also a little bit disappointed because their heart-to-heart conversation was interrupted.

However, they couldn’t blame Little Leon for that. They could still continue their conversation later on.

Leon gently dragged Eve’s hand, leading her outside the house. They saw the other three children sitting on the wooden bench. They were Melissa, Gord, and Miya.

Melissa and Miya were twins. They are six years old. Gord was Leon’s elder brother who was eight years old. Leon was seven years old. These four children were orphans who were living in Alaric’s old house.

Eve sat down at the center, joining the children.

"What happened to your parents?" Eve asked them as they started to talk about themselves.

"Our mothers died from the plague while our fathers were both knights who died from war," Gord responded.

"Big Brother Alaric took care of us as though we were his younger brothers and sisters," Leon chimed in.

"Big Sis, I’m jealous of you! I said when I grew up, I would marry Alaric," Melissa suddenly blurted out, pouting her lips.

Miya pinched her twin sister’s cheek and scolded her, "You can’t do that. He is our big brother."

"That’s true! I should be the one to marry you!" Leon boldly said.

But Melissa just stuck her tongue out at him. "No. You are not as handsome as Big Bro Alaric! You are also small. I want a strong man."

Leon pursed his lips. "I’m going to be strong as I grow up. I can protect you. My elder brother said I was handsome. Maybe your eyes are blind for not appreciating my gorgeous face!"

"Hmmp! In your dreams!" Melissa folded her arms over her chest.

Eve just let out a soft giggle, enjoying the cute interactions among the four children.

"You are all adorable," Eve said, ruffling their hair one after another.

"I want to be pretty like you when I grow up!" Miya said with her sparkling eyes.

"Believe me. Right now, you and Melissa are pretty." Eve gently pinched their cheeks.

The two little girls giggled giddily upon hearing Eve’s compliment.

"Big Sis, what do you like about our Big Bro? Why did you marry him? Can you tell us about your love story?" Miya bombarded her with so many questions.

The children looked at her with utmost curiosity.

Eve smiled awkwardly. She didn’t know how she would explain to these children that her marriage with Alaric was just an arranged marriage. They would feel disappointed for sure.

"Hmm. He has so many good qualities. I like him—" Eve was too shy to enumerate the things she liked about Alaric. "As for our love story, All I can say is that... I think we are fated for each other."

"Leon, I remember your words earlier. Is it okay if I ask you something to clarify it?" Eve consulted Leon. She knew that Leon avoided her question earlier because of Alaric.

Leon glanced at Gord, Miya, and Melissa before bobbing his head in response to Eve’s query.

"What do you want to know, Big Sis?" Leon asked her curiously.

"You said I’m your Big brother’s first love. I think you’re mistaken. Why did you say that? Do you know who his first love is?"

Leon smiled sheepishly upon hearing her question. He hesitantly looked at his brother asking for his help.

Gord scratched his face and said, "Big Sis, we are afraid that Big Bro will get mad if we say something to you without his permission."

Melissa and Miya rolled their eyes.

"Big Bro never gets mad at us. Why are you afraid? Just tell Big Sis what you know!" Miya urged the two boys to disclose what they knew about Alaric’s first love.

"Don’t worry. I promise I won’t tell Alaric," Eve reassured them.

Leon and Gord heaved a sigh of defeat.

"Go Leon, tell Big Sis." Gord gave him permission.

"Big Sis, honestly, I don’t know her name. But Big Bro had told us his story of how he met his first love." Leon started.

"He said she had an angelic voice and a pure heart. She met her during the lowest point of his life. She gave him an amulet. Big Bro always brings the amulet during his battle as his lucky charm."

"An amulet from his first love?" Eve mumbled, feeling intrigued.

"Yes, Big Sis. Is it you who gives him the amulet? The amulet always hangs in his armor belt. He cherishes it like a precious treasure. He said he was going to marry her. Since you are his wife, I thought you were the first love he was referring to," Leon explained further.

Eve shook her head. "I don’t think I am the one he is referring to. I haven’t met Alaric before. And I never give him an amulet."

Eve gazed down, feeling disheartened. ’I knew it. Alaric wants to marry her first love. But he could no longer do that because he married me because of the royal decree.’

"Big Sis, don’t be sad. Why don’t you ask Big Bro Alaric? I am certain that he won’t lie to you!" Leon tried to console Eve.

"Everyone, dinner is ready!" Alaric suddenly showed up, calling them.

"Yey! We are hungry! Let’s eat!"

The children rejoiced as they ran inside the house. Eve was left sitting on the bench, looking at Alaric with complicated emotions.

Alaric strode toward her. He extended his right hand upon reaching her spot. "Come. Let’s eat."

Eve stayed silent, hesitating for a moment. After a few seconds, Eve accepted his hand, holding it tightly.

"Eve, What’s wrong? Do you feel unwell?" Alaric asked her worriedly upon noticing her solemn expression.

"Alaric, why do you want me to stay by your side even though you want to marry your first love?" Eve took her courage to confront him directly.

Alaric was taken aback for a moment. He could see the sadness in her emerald eyes.

Without a second thought, Alaric closed the gaps between them and whispered in her ear, "Because you are my first love."

Eve: "..."