The Hero's Forsaken Princess
Chapter 60: The Hero’s Insecurity

Chapter 60: The Hero’s Insecurity

After escorting Crown Prince Cassian to the palace, Alaric dropped by the 5th Batallion’s Barracks.

His knights were doing their routine training while rotating their guarding duties in the garrison.

While on his way to his private quarters, he ran into Caleb.

"General!" Caleb called him out excitedly.

Alaric squinted his eyes on his Knight Commander who was also his close friend. "Just call me Alaric since we are alone. No need to formally address me."

Caleb smiled sheepishly as he scratched his face. "Forgive me. I’m getting used to calling you by your title."

Alaric just shook his head helplessly.

"Anyway, have you found them?" Alaric was referring to the bandits who attacked Eve.

Caleb heaved a frustrated sigh. "With the help of Princess Eve, we have their sketches. However, it looks like those men are aware that they are on our wanted list. They disappeared without a trace. Something powerful might be behind them, meticulously hiding their whereabouts."

"Just keep searching. They will get tired of hiding." Alaric uttered in his stern voice.

"Yes. I won’t stop searching for them. By the way, why are you still here? Aren’t you going to see your wife? Princess Eve had been sick for a week." Caleb informed Alaric.

"What? Eve fell ill..." A hint of worry flashed in his gray orbs.

"Yes. But Randolf told me that she is feeling better now."

Alaric narrowed his eyes while clenching his fists. He was a bit disappointed. "Sera didn’t report this to me. If I had known, I should have returned earlier."

Caleb just shrugged his shoulders, also clueless as to why Sera didn’t inform Alaric about Princess Eve’s health condition.

Meanwhile, Alaric’s expression turned grim as he recalled Thalia’s delaying tactics. She was the sole reason why their journey lasted for three weeks. Without her, he could have shortened the journey in just two weeks!

Without saying a word, Alaric stormed out of the barracks. Caleb chased after him.

"Eh, where are you going?"

"I’m going home to see my wife!" Alaric promptly responded. His voice was calm but deep inside, he was worried about her. He couldn’t wait to see her.

Caleb grabbed Alaric’s shoulder thus stopping him.

"What?" Alaric spat at him.

Caleb smiled and said, "Are you just going home empty-handed?"

Alaric fell silent for a moment. Caleb’s words reminded him of his prior plan. He would drop by the town market square to buy her some flowers. He also bought some souvenirs along the way, specifically for Eve.

"You can buy her a nice dress too. Something she can wear for tonight’s banquet," Caleb suggested.

Unlike Alaric, Caleb had enough experience in wooing a woman. That’s why he could easily give Alaric some worthwhile suggestions about how to surprise a woman and make her feel special.

This time Alaric’s grim expression finally brightened up. He liked Caleb’s idea.

"Why don’t you tag along and accompany me? Help me in choosing the right dress for my wife. This will also be my first gift to her after our marriage. I hope she will like it."

Caleb nodded, wrapping his arm around Alaric’s shoulders.

"Your wish is my command, General!" he playfully said. "I know a good dressmaker shop in the town center!"

Alaric just allowed Caleb to lead the way. He was more familiar with those shops. Furthermore, this was Alaric’s first time buying gifts for someone, especially for his wife.

Alaric was a thrifty man. He never spent a lot on himself. This was his first attempt to spend extravagantly for someone. He wanted to put his money to good use just to satisfy his wife.

’Eve is a princess... so she deserves to be pampered with wealth. I don’t care if I have to spend all my fortune for her... as long as she won’t look down on my background. After all, despite my military achievements, I can’t change the fact that I came from a commoner family.’

’Our status in life is quite opposite, like heaven and earth.’ Alaric smiled bitterly at that thought.

This had always been his insecurity after marrying the princess. He always thought Princess Eve deserved someone of equal status.

He couldn’t entirely blame her if she liked Gavin over him. Gavin was a Duke’s son... someone with high status.

But now that Alaric had gained the title of Kingdom’s Hero, deep in his heart, he wanted Eve to acknowledge him as someone who was worthy to be her husband.

He got this motivation after finding out that he was Eve’s first. Despite her affair, she kept her purity intact. To the back of his mind, he was hoping that Eve did it for him.

After spending time with his wife, Alaric decided to give this marriage a chance and make it work out... as long as she didn’t want to divorce him.

No one knew that Alaric valued this marriage like a warrior’s oath. He wanted to remain faithful. That’s what he truly felt.

Alaric grabbed the white daisies as he thought about Eve. He wanted to give her this flower, sending her a secret message.

In Alaric’s eyes, the daisy flower resembled Eve’s purity and innocence. And aside from that, this flower symbolizes new beginnings and loyalty.

Alaric wanted to give her his loyalty and to have new beginnings with her as husband and wife.

"Alaric! Are you done choosing the flower you want to give her?" Caleb’s voice snapped him out of his deep thoughts.

Alaric turned and showed him the white daisies. "Yes, I’m done."

"Eh? Aren’t you choosing the red roses? Rose symbolizes love and affection." Caleb asked him.

Alaric shook his head. "This flower suits her best."

"Maybe next time. I can give her roses too," Alaric added.

Caleb didn’t insist further. "Okay. Shall we proceed to the dressmaker shop?"

Alaric nodded.

However, before they could leave, the store owner stopped Alaric.

"Our Hero! Wait." The old lady extended her right hand. She was holding a jade hairpin with a carved daisy-shaped flower on it. "You can give this to your loved one. This is free. Please accept this simple gift. I hope she will like it."

Alaric nodded and gave her a grateful smile.

"Thank you. I’ll accept this."

Alaric and Caleb had just come out of the flower shop when someone called him from behind.

"General Alaric!"

Alaric and Caleb were surprised to see Sera.

’What is she doing here? She is supposed to be staying at Stormholt Manor.’

"My Lord, can I have a moment with you... alone? There is something important I need to tell you."

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