Alicia looked up, eyes meeting the Duchess at her calling. She noticed Alicia’s quivering eyes and thought she was the sort of woman who wore her pain like an invisible cloak none could see unless one peers through her icy-blue eyes.The Duchess’ keen eye saw right through her.“My Queen, do you remember what I spoke of yesterday? That you’ll navigate through many profane men and women, that you’ll have no one to trust?”Alicia nodded. “Yes. I remember.”“If ever you need a tool, use me, My Queen. Trust me. Trust what my eye can see.”Alicia stared at her.A playful glint ran around in circles within the orbs of the Duchess’ eyes.“…..Why?” Alicia said.“I like you, My Queen.”Alicia let out a cute laugh at the Duchess’ out of the blue remark. She found herself believing in her.“Okay. I will trust your eyes more than I trust myself right now.”She had no choice but to and the Duchess was a person she could see herself placing her trust onto. And she had to prepare for the wedding cer
There, written in the letter, was a simpleton message welcoming Alicia back home to Ehrlich and that she hoped to see her as soon as possible. At the very end was her unique signature:From Mother Anna Corty.Alicia fell into a new set of deep agony. Ivan said she need not care for her, but all things considered, their past connection was not a thing she could ignore.For the time being, the promised dinner was near. A maid sent by His Majesty informed her of their appointment and came to pick her up. Alicia nodded, putting away the letter.“Are we going to his office?”“No, Your Majesty. Somewhere else.”“…Oh?”Taken aback, she raised her brows. She had no great anticipation, mainly a simple dinner at his office or the main palace. But she seemed to have guessed wrong.‘Well, that’s fine also.’She breathed a shallow sigh, a little too far away from the maid’s hearing field. The office was the last place she wanted to be in… the place she saw Ivan and Patricia tangled in carnal plea
Basil’s mouth fell to the floor, eyes flooded with shock. “My Lord! My God, you remember all that?!”Alicia giggled lightly, one hand covering her mouth. “Yes. I remember. I hid it secretly and ate it away from my mother’s eyes. She never gave me treats. Thought my teeth would rot if I did.”“You were young. I thought you wouldn’t remember at all, Your Majesty.”“Basil, I was only ten-years-old at the time. Of course I’d remember a lot of things. Hehe…”“No, no. Few people have clear memories of their youth. You’re smart…”“How long will you stand there?”Ivan’s voice rang from behind. Alicia and Basil stiffeTed at his sudden appearance. They had come to the door of the drawing-room and did not enter, merely talking casually to themselves.Basil coughed and bowed politely. “I’ll be taking my leave, My Queen.”As Basil’s figure faded in the background, the laughter on Alicia’s face quickly drained away as she said nervously, “I was talking to Basil. I had disrespected you. I’m sorry.”
Ivan fidgeted around awkwardly and only then did Alicia notice that he was trying his clumsiest best to communicate in his own way. It did not look like he was forcing her to eat, though it did come off as one. He had a difficult time speaking his thoughts out.Alicia was amazed, her lips parted slightly.After a moment’s bout of hesitation, she placed a slice of meat on a plate and cut it into small pieces before putting it in her mouth. It was not too bad but it could be better.“…..” Ivan looked up and his aura brightened. A faint smile spread around his lips. “Um… how’s the Duchess? Tell me if she isn’t qualified. I’ll recommend someone else.”“No,” Alicia shook her head, “it hasn’t been long since we met but I’ve grown to like the duchess. You need not worry.”“I’m glad to hear that. Though she’d been away from the capital and from noble society for a long while, her status and connections remain. She’ll be a great help to you,” he said, twirling the fork around in circles.Alici
“My God… what is all this…?”The next day, after Ivan’s departure, numerous offerings laid before here. Silk made of rare materials and top-of-the-line accessories quietly rested on the table. It is as Ivan said. He had prepared in advance.Alicia had no choice but to admit that Ivan never had plans to drag the princess of Coulson by the foot and slit her throat. If not, why had he renovated the Queen’s Palace for the princess to this extent?“You won’t have to worry about the lack of jewels for a while after the wedding. Isn’t that right, My Queen?” The duchess’ eyes smiled a twinkling light.Alicia chuckled. “That’s true.”She picked up a beautifully tailored blue cloth. From the surface, it looked plain, but the texture of the cloth spoke much depth. She was sure the designer placed much thought during composition.“I don’t know why he told me this now… it’d have been great had he informed me earlier,” Alicia said.It might have been easier to decide on the items she needed for the
“Long time no see, Duchess Cessley. I heard you’ve gone back to your estate, but here you are,” Countess Lausanne smiled.“Yes,” the Duchess smiled stiffly, “at His Majesty’s command, I’ve come to serve the Queen, Countess Lausanne.”Their conversation was short and brief, but Alicia noticed from the Duchess’ tone that she had little feelings for the Countess. The Duchess was the sort of person who treated everyone with kind words and smiles, but toward the Countess, it was of clear hostility.“Countess, how long have you traveled and what took you so long to get here? I sent a letter to Her Majesty yesterday,” Alicia said with a smile.“After receiving the letter, Her Majesty earnestly asked to see you again. That’s why I’m here today, Queen.”She had flatly refused, but the Queen Mother refused her refusal. Alicia sighed. How troublesome. It truly is difficult to avoid visiting her.“Okay. I’ll visit Her Majesty later…”“Queen, Her Majesty would like to meet you at this moment’s not
The Duchess knew she could not prevent Alicia from leaving. Convinced that the situation was unavoidable, she stepped back.“…I await your safe return, My Queen.”Alicia nodded and followed the Countess to the carriage journeying to the seasonal palace. The palace the Queen Mother resided in was located on the cool highland and used mainly for relaxation during summer seasons.It was also the place Alicia rested in to care for her body while pregnant.She resided in the seasonal palace for a month-long. Those were happy times. Ivan visited her daily. She thought things might change, that maybe, this wastheir beginning. Then one day, Ivan did not visit her. Curious, she went to his palace without notifying him in advance and saw him with Patricia… their bodies tangled together.Alicia looked out the window to shake off the painful memory. The road to the seasonal palace was strewn with fallen leaves. The autumn season had begun long ago in Coulson, but Ehrlich was just now ushering to
The Countess, her face distortedly pale, looked at Alicia for a moment before muttering, “Her Majesty’s judgment was wrong. Well, this was long ago…”Alicia looked at her. “What do you mean?”“My Queen, you’re different… more than I expected. You’ve got a strong side to you,” she sighed, “and you need not worry. All that remains of Her Majesty is the spirit of a tiger who had lost her teeth and paws and now only hopes for quietness for the rest of her life. If you’re able to give her consolation, then that is also fine.”And with that, the Countess turned her head and shut her mouth tight and said nothing more.Alicia, too, said nothing till they arrived at the palace.“Welcome, Alicia.”The Queen Mother greeted Alicia at the front entrance. As soon as she stepped foot out of the carriage, the Queen ran towards her and embraced her in a warm, loving hug.Alicia smiled and returned the warmth, her arms wrapped around the Queen Mother’s shoulder.“It’s been long, Your Majesty. How have