Chapter 51
“Young Madam, you’re up early.”
Aileen spoke with a hint of surprise upon seeing Alice standing by the window.
“Yes, I couldn’t sleep.”
Alice replied without taking her eyes off the view outside.
“What are you looking at so intently?”
As Alice remained motionless, Aileen scurried over.
“Just thinking about how much has changed overnight.”
At first glance, the scene of servants bustling in and out of the ducal residence looked the same, but it was clearly different from yesterday.
New black-armored knights had appeared among them.
It was a sight unseen just yesterday morning.
And the atmosphere among the servants had shifted dramatically.
The unsettled mood of those who had been adrift without a master was now replaced by proper discipline.
“Hmm, it does seem more lively. Don’t you think it’s because the uncertain situation has been settled thanks to the Duke? The servants aren’t gossiping about the Grand Madam or the Duke anymore.”
After all, Quillian had suffered a complete defeat at the hands of Kylus in front of everyone.
Moreover, last night, servants and maids considered close to Quillian were all dragged to the underground dungeon.
Who would dare speak carelessly now?
Alice turned from the window to look at Aileen.
Aileen, who hadn’t been one of Quillian’s people, wore a bright smile as radiant as the butler’s.
However, upon seeing Alice’s face, Aileen’s eyes widened in shock.
“Madam, did you not sleep well? You look terribly pale…”
“I’m just a bit tired, I tossed and turned all night.”
“Oh no, should I call for the doctor? The butler said to notify him immediately if you looked even slightly unwell.”
Alice waved her hand at Aileen, who looked ready to dash off to the butler.
“No, no. I’m fine. A wash with warm water will do the trick.”
“Are you sure that’ll be enough?”
“Yes. Did you bring the washbasin?”
“Yes.”
Alice went to the table and washed her face with warm water.
A hot bath would be better, but she had things to do today, so this would have to suffice.
“Shall I prepare breakfast in your room?”
Alice handed the face towel to Aileen and replied.
“No. Instead, has the Duke left for the Imperial Palace?”
“Yes. He departed early this morning.”
“I see. Then please call the butler for me.”
“Pardon? Ah. Yes, of course.”
Aileen tilted her head quizzically but, sensing something different about Alice’s demeanor, hurried out of the bedroom.
Shortly after, the butler arrived.
“I heard you called for me, Madam. Is there anything you need?”
Alice calmly answered the butler’s polite inquiry.
“I need to go out. Please prepare a carriage.”
“Go out… you say?”
“Yes, I’m thinking of visiting the temple.”
The butler’s face showed dismay, but Alice didn’t waver at all.
She had anticipated his reluctance.
Currently, she was in a situation where Kylus had her remain at the ducal residence.
The butler, being one of Kylus’s closest confidants, would surely know that he wanted to keep her here.
It’s no wonder he’s flustered when I suddenly say I’m going to the temple.
Moreover, Kylus wasn’t even here now.
Though it would be troublesome for the butler, she had no choice.
This was her last chance to leave the ducal residence while Kylus was away.
After Hasis had barged into the ducal residence yesterday, Alice had lain awake pondering.
And she came to one conclusion.
She needed to bolt before things got even more complicated.
It was clear that the original story had greatly deviated from the moment Kylus woke up.
Hasis, who was supposed to appear in the middle of the original story, had shown up at the Dearrut ducal residence.
Of course, it seemed she had played a big role in this deviation, but what could she do?
It’s not like she had used holy power knowing Kylus would survive.
If she had to blame someone… it would be Helios for giving her this unmanageable ability without any consultation.
Though it felt a bit forced, Alice decided to shift the uncomfortable guilt onto Helios.
Thus, she resolved to go to the temple and start the priestess registration process today, while Kylus was away.
She would ask High Priest Prion for help.
If Kylus had been here, even going to the temple would have been difficult.
He might have even insisted on going with her.
Considering Kylus’s glib words, it was entirely possible.
So even if it seemed a bit underhanded, she had no choice.
By the time Kylus returned from the Imperial Palace, I’ll already be a priestess.
Then, even the Duke of Dearrut won’t be able to do anything about it.
Though she felt a little uneasy about the fact that Kylus’s body hadn’t fully recovered… well, she could always visit the ducal residence occasionally as a priestess.
Becoming a priestess didn’t mean she couldn’t use holy power, after all.
Alice had sorted everything out and made her decision.
“Um, Madam. Going out is a bit…”
“Didn’t the Duke say I could ask for anything I needed or wanted? Is it too much to ask to visit the temple for a short while?”
“That’s…”
“After yesterday’s events, I’m feeling quite anxious. I’ll just go to the temple to pray to the deity and be back soon, so please prepare the carriage.”
Alice pressed on relentlessly, fearing the butler might refuse.
Even mentioning Kylus.
Of course, this probably wasn’t what he meant when he said to ask for what she wanted… but well, it wasn’t a lie.
Faced with Alice’s firm attitude, the butler finally conceded.
“…Very well. However, I will assign knights from the ducal household as your escort.”
“Alright.”
The knights couldn’t interfere with her priestess registration, could they?
Alice felt a bit uneasy but couldn’t refuse the escort.
That would make the butler suspicious.
“I’ll send someone to inform you when the carriage and escort are ready.”
“That—”
Knock knock-
Just as Alice was about to reply, a sudden knock on the door interrupted.
What now, just when everything seemed settled?
Alice and the butler’s gazes turned to the opening door.
The person who appeared was none other than Aileen.
“Madam, Butler. A guest from the Imperial Palace has arrived.”
“…The Imperial Palace?”
Alice’s voice trembled slightly at those ominous words.
“The Imperial Palace? I’ll go out for a moment. Young Madam.”
“There’s no need for that.”
Just as the butler hurriedly turned to leave, a dignified voice came from outside the door.
Soon, a middle-aged woman with neatly pinned-up brown hair appeared beside Aileen.
Her deep blue dress was far from that of an ordinary noblewoman.
It felt more like a uniform, similar to a knight’s attire.
Then, a noticeable detail on the dress caught Alice’s eye.
The ends of the sleeves and the hem were embroidered with the same gold as the Imperial knights she had seen yesterday.
If she was from the Imperial Palace… could it be?
“Duchess, I pay my respects. I am Baroness Marina Hestils, the head lady-in-waiting of the Empress’s Palace.”
The bad premonition came true.
The brown-haired middle-aged noblewoman before her eyes was no ordinary Imperial maid.
She was Baroness Hestils, the closest confidant of the Empress.
The Empress’s closest confidant.
Alice’s heart raced with anxiety, but she couldn’t ignore the woman.
Alice rose from her seat and greeted her.
“It’s… a pleasure to meet you.”
“Baroness, may I ask the reason for your visit to the ducal residence?”
The butler approached the Baroness and asked.
However, the Baroness naturally ignored the butler and addressed Alice.
“Her Majesty the Empress wishes to meet with the Duchess.”
“…Me?”
“Yes. Her Majesty has long wanted to invite you, but given the situation at the ducal residence, she was unable to do so.”
“…”
“Fortunately, now that the Duke has recovered, she has sent me along with the Imperial carriage to respectfully escort you.”
They say when you’re too shocked, words fail you.
That was exactly Alice’s state right now.
“If you have no urgent matters, shall we depart for the Empress’s Palace now? Her Majesty is waiting.”
The Baroness spoke with a gentle smile.
Despite the kind smile, Alice couldn’t bring herself to mention her business at the temple.
Baroness Hestils was looking at her with eyes that, contrary to her gentle smile, clearly conveyed that refusal was not an option.
So, this wasn’t a suggestion.
It was closer to an order.
Alice glanced at the butler, but it seemed he couldn’t help either.
His face looked even worse than when she had said she was going to the temple earlier.
A mere butler couldn’t stop the Empress’s head lady-in-waiting, after all.
The only person in the ducal residence who could possibly stop the Baroness would be… Kylus.
But he wasn’t here now.
It seemed the Empress’s Palace, like Alice, had been waiting for a moment when Kylus was absent.
To ensure Alice couldn’t refuse.
There’s no way to avoid this.
Alice took a deep breath and slowly opened her mouth.
“…Yes. I understand.”
And so, Alice found herself boarding the Imperial carriage with Baroness Hestils.
* * *
A garden blooming with unnamed white flowers.
In the center of the garden surrounded by flowers stood a round gazebo.
Under the gazebo, a tea table was set up.
As Alice drew closer to the gazebo, the figure of a woman enjoying tea time alone became clearer.
Finally, as the woman’s image filled Alice’s eyes, Marina spoke.
“Your Majesty, the Duchess of Dearrut has arrived.”
At the sound of Baroness Hestils’ voice, the woman holding a teacup turned her head towards Alice.
