Chapter 11

Alice late realized what she had just blurted out and fell into a state of panic.

 

‘Oh my god, what did I just say?’

 

She squeezed her eyes shut, lacking the courage to face Edwin’s expression.

 

The low sound of chuckling from in front of her made her face flush even deeper, like a ripe tomato. It was because that laughter made her realize one undeniable fact: He hadn’t intended to make that kind of wish.

 

In other words, she had completely jumped to the wrong conclusion.

 

‘Ah…’

 

For the first time, Alice experienced the feeling that a person could truly want to die of shame. She really wanted to just go and kick the bucket.

 

The only silver lining was that the icy atmosphere had thawed… but she never intended to resolve the misunderstanding in such a way.

 

“If that’s what Alice thinks, it can’t be helped.”

 

Edwin looked at her with a smile. In truth, he felt a sudden impulse to propose right then and there just to make her even more flustered. It was a mischievous streak quite unlike him.

 

At his words, Alice wrinkled her nose and slowly lifted her eyelids.

 

Through her narrowed, half-closed vision, she saw his lips curved into an arc.

 

‘I want to turn back time…’

 

It was the first time his handsome smile felt so embarrassing. Opening her eyes fully, Alice avoided his gaze.

 

“Still, Alice, I think we’re at least close enough to look each other in the eye.”

 

“Don’t talk to me for a second.”

 

“If that makes you more comfortable.”

 

She heard the sound of Edwin picking up his teacup. Alice envied his composure. However, as the silence stretched on, she was the one who became more awkward with every passing second.

 

As they say, the thirsty man digs the well.

 

In the end, she was the first to speak.

 

“Then… what kind of wish were you going to make?”

 

“I’m reconsidering it right now.”

 

She heard the sound of Edwin setting his teacup down. Keeping her eyes away from him, Alice perked up her ears.

 

“Thinking about it, I feel like making a wish for a real marriage wouldn’t be so bad, just as Alice suggested.”

 

“What?!”

 

Alice’s head snapped toward Edwin so fast it almost made a sound.

 

For a moment, she wondered if he was serious, but she saw a playful glint in his eyes that was different from his usual self.

 

“That kind of joke isn’t funny…”

 

Alice’s lips twitched as she glared at him. She felt angry for some reason, and the fact that she had no other way to express that anger made her even more frustrated.

 

To his eyes, she looked like a disgruntled rabbit, but Edwin didn’t mention it, sensing she would only get angrier if he did.

 

“I’m sorry.”

 

His swift apology caused Alice’s anger to dissipate. Who could stay mad when someone with a face like that apologized?

 

Alice felt sheepish at how quickly her fury had cooled. To her, Edwin’s beauty was like a spear that could pierce anything and a shield that could defend against anything.

 

“My wish was for Alice to call me by a nickname,” Edwin said.

 

Alice’s eyes widened. A nickname?

 

Edwin had often noticed or overheard her calling Michael Elga by a nickname. Every time it happened, he felt a strange emotion—an irritation that bordered on anger. He tried to dismiss it as a trivial title not worth his concern, but the more he chewed on it, the worse he felt.

 

“Well, that’s not hard,” Alice replied, her face visibly brightening. She already called Michael by a nickname, so there was no reason she couldn’t do the same for Edwin. Compared to her earlier assumption, this was a rather cute wish.

 

“What’s your nickname, Edwin?”

 

“I’ve never been called by one, so I’d like Alice to make one for me.”

 

Alice fell silent at his words. A sudden wave of solemnity washed over her.

 

‘Now that I think about it…’

 

Michael had been called by a nickname by his older brother, Evan, since birth, but Edwin had no one to call him such a thing. The thought made her feel a bit sad.

 

“Alright, I’ll make one for you.”

 

Alice began to deliberate with a face more serious than ever. Since it was his first nickname, she couldn’t make it carelessly.

 

Seeing her so engrossed in naming him, Edwin felt a sense of fulfillment swell in a corner of his heart. The fact that she was focused solely on something for him… it was sweeter and happier than he had imagined. Sometimes, his desire to monopolize her grew so large he thought of locking her away somewhere, but he never acted on it.

 

He knew all too well that it was difficult to expect this kind of genuine interest and affection in a forced relationship.

 

He had been groomed by her affectionate touch since he was very young.

 

There was no way he, who had been tamed by that touch, could forcibly imprison her.

 

Or rather, it was closer to the fact that he couldn’t imprison her.

 

An endless greed that refused to let go of even a single thing was blocking his actions—the greed to monopolize her favor, her affection, and her attention.

 

His red eyes grew darker as they brimmed with obsession while watching her.

 

“How about… Ed?”

 

Immediately after saying it, she lamented her poor naming sense. To think the best nickname she could come up with was just cutting off the end of his name. She felt as though she had been too insincere with his very first nickname.

 

“I like it, Alice.”

 

However, Edwin wore a satisfied smile. Unlike the hesitant Alice, he looked as though he truly loved the name.

 

Alice’s face lit up.

 

“I’m glad.”

 

As she exhaled a long sigh of relief, she was unaware of one thing:

 

He was satisfied simply by the fact that he now had a nickname she would call him.

 

In truth, no matter what nickname she had chosen, he would have been satisfied.

 

“Thank you, Alice.”

 

“It was nothing, Ed.”

 

She replied with a reciprocal smile.

 

At the nickname coming from her lips, his eyes curved into thin crescents. Seeing his joy, the corners of Alice’s mouth lifted even higher.

 

 

***

 

 

The next day, under the brilliant sunlight, Alice was walking dressed in a black dress.

 

With a heavy heart and a thick sense of déjà vu, she looked at the carriage ahead.

 

‘This is already the second time.’

 

Within a few months, she was attending a second funeral for someone close to her.

 

Not long after the festival had ended, a wave of mourning was sweeping through the Empire.

 

The Emperor’s funeral would be held for a total of seven days.

 

‘The Spirit Festival period ended right during the mourning period.’

 

It was a truly ironic situation.

 

She boarded the carriage. Inside, as expected, was Edwin.

 

“Good… morning.”

 

Alice offered a natural greeting, but as soon as the words left her mouth, she wondered if this could truly be called a “good” morning.

 

“Yes, good morning.”

 

However, Edwin didn’t seem to share her concern, welcoming her with a peaceful face as usual.

 

The carriage headed straight for the First Imperial Palace, where the funeral was being held.

 

Alice’s eyes were heavy with complicated thoughts as she looked out the window.

 

The problem was what would happen immediately after this funeral.

 

An emergency meeting was scheduled to be held in the Great Hall. Since the throne was vacant, the meeting would focus on the next Emperor.

 

‘I wonder what kind of chaos will break out.’

 

She worried she might be pointed at as the mastermind behind the rebellion to her face. But that wasn’t the real problem.

 

Alice glanced at Edwin, who sat across from her reading a book.

 

The problem was that if someone provoked him and he drew his sword just once, not a single person would be able to walk out of that meeting hall.

 

‘I really hope nothing like that happens…’

 

She had no desire to attend yet another person’s funeral.

 

When they entered the large hall, the conversations inside came to a dead stop.

 

Royals and nobles alike—everyone was looking at Alice and Edwin.

 

Some had eyes thick with wariness.

 

Alice felt a bit flustered by the hostility, which had become even more blatant than before the Emperor died.

 

‘Their faces look like they want to insult me right to my face.’

 

They had expressions that looked as if they wanted to demand by what right she was attending the ceremony.

 

Of course, Alice wouldn’t have much to say if they did, but the chances were high that such a person would never be able to open their mouth again starting the next day because of Edwin.

 

Knowing this, no one openly rebuked her or him.

 

Even Duke Wigmund only looked their way, not offering a greeting as he usually did.

 

“Did you know? It seems the Crown Princess is on quite intimate terms with the Pope.”

 

A relatively loud voice came from the group of royals. It was a group consisting of some members of the imperial family who had been looking at her with strange eyes for a while.

 

The voice was clear enough for Alice to hear, even from a distance.

 

It would have been weirder if they had remained quiet after witnessing what happened during the ritual.

 

Alice avoided their gaze with a stinging face.

 

‘Let’s just pretend not to know.’

 

Acting nonchalant, she prayed at the coffin where the Emperor lay.

 

‘In that world, please go easy on the alcohol and drugs…’

 

Since she couldn’t bring herself to say spiteful words to a dead man, she offered a small word of condolence.

 

“…The coffin is closed.”

 

Richet Evans, who had been offering flowers and mourning without realizing Alice had approached, looked at the coffin with a puzzled gaze.

 

“Indeed.”

 

At those words, Count Evans, who was beside her, also wore a strange expression.

 

Someone might wonder if it was unusual for the Emperor’s coffin to be closed.

 

Of course, if this funeral were to commemorate the death of an ordinary person, there would be nothing strange about it.

 

But the Emperor’s funeral was different.

 

It was the custom to leave the coffin open, laying the Emperor down in the shroud that only he could wear.

 

The fact that they hadn’t done so meant the state of the corpse was not good.

 

‘Edwin… what on earth did you do?’

 

Alice could roughly imagine it, which made it even more chilling.

 

On the other hand, Richet, who didn’t know what had happened in the sanctuary, looked at the coffin with a slightly uncomfortable face before belatedly discovering Alice and greeting her.

 

“Oh, Your Highness.”

 

Startled, Alice barely managed to keep her expression in check as she greeted them.

 

“Ah… it’s been a while, Richet, Count Evans.”

 

Richet approached her with a pitiful look in her eyes and spoke.

 

“I’m truly sorry about this incident. It must be very hard for you, but you must stay strong, Your Highness.”

 

“You don’t look well; you must make sure to eat,” the Count added.

 

Richet and the Count were sincerely worried about her, never suspecting for a moment that she might be involved in his death. They believed she was deeply grieving the Emperor’s passing.

 

“I’m alright. Thank you for your concern, both of you.”

 

Alice offered a tragic smile, imagining the sorrow of losing a father.

 

“It was a short time, but I was happy to have my biological father…”

 

As she spoke those insincere words as if she truly meant them, even the nobles eavesdropping nearby felt their eyes well up.

 

“It must be difficult since everyone around you has ended up like this. Please take heart, Your Highness.”

 

They each offered a word of condolence to comfort her. It seemed the rumors from within the palace hadn’t spread to the outside world yet.

 

‘It looks like Edwin’s intimidation worked well.’

 

Realizing Edwin’s power, Alice dabbed at her eyes, pretending to cry.

 

‘Still, by this time, someone should be picking a fight…’

 

Pretending to wipe away tears, Alice looked toward where the royals were.

 

At some point, the direction they were in had become deathly silent.

 

However, the members of the group had changed since she last looked. No, only one person had been added, but the atmosphere had shifted.

 

‘Edwin?’

 

Seeing the familiar black-haired handsome man, Alice quickly grasped the reason for the silence.

 

She took this opportunity to squeeze out even more tears. Even if they were crocodile tears, if she didn’t at least act the part here, she might arouse the suspicion of other nobles.

 

“I miss His Majesty already, hic. He cherished me so much…”

 

Count Evans comforted her as she sobbed quietly.

 

“His Majesty will become the sun in the sky and watch over Your Highness.”

 

“That’s right, Your Highness. We won’t be able to completely fill his void, but if you don’t mind, we’ll come to visit you more often.”

 

Richet followed the Count’s words. Her eyes were brimming with worry that Alice would be lonely now that she was alone.

 

“Thank you.”

 

Alice felt her heart waver at the thought of deceiving such kind people, but she squeezed out more from her eyes and offered her gratitude.

 

 

***

 

 

A week later, after the seven-day funeral ended, an air of tension flowed through the palace.

 

An emergency meeting was held in the Great Hall, and high-ranking nobles were summoned.

 

It was the first meeting held regarding the next succession to the throne.

 

Entering the meeting hall, Alice was marveled by its scale.

 

The hall, which was overwhelmingly larger than any room in the palace, featured a long marble table.

 

On the walls, blue hawk crests representing the Empire were placed at regular intervals, and next to them, the palace knights stood guard in identical poses.

 

Most of them were members of the First Knight Order under Chester’s command.

 

Exchanging nods with the familiar faces, Alice took a seat on the right side of the two seats flanking the head of the table.

 

The Great Hall was still empty of other nobles; she and Edwin had arrived first.

 

Soon after, Duke Wigmund entered. His eyes shone with a soft hazelnut color.

 

“Your Highness, have you been in good health?”

 

Alice was a bit surprised by the Duke’s greeting. She didn’t expect him to be the first to offer a greeting after what had happened.

 

“I’ve been doing well. How have you been, Duke?”

 

“There was a bit of a sad event, but I am finding my way back to daily life in my own way.”

 

Looking at the empty seats, Edwin flicked his hand to call over an attendant inside.

 

“What time is it now?”

 

“It is ten o’clock.”

 

Alice’s expression darkened slightly.

 

She knew that for high-ranking nobles to be late to the first meeting after the Emperor’s passing was not a simple act of tardiness, but a deliberate move.

 

She had vaguely anticipated something like this since she saw the empty seats upon entering the hall.

 

Edwin spoke again, slowly.

 

“The scheduled start time for the meeting is…”

 

The attendant’s complexion paled, sensing the ominous atmosphere.

 

“…Ten o’clock.”

 

Edwin hummed and crossed his arms, scanning the empty seats with a languid attitude. Then, he called for Chester.

 

“Chester.”

 

“Yes, I shall be back.”

 

Chester bowed his head as if he knew exactly what order Edwin was about to give and left the meeting hall.

 

Only then did the Duke realize that the Commander of the Imperial Knights was under Duke Esteban.

 

However, he didn’t voice any objection. He merely recalled what had happened during the ritual.

 

The day the Emperor died.

 

Even the Duke, whose personality was rarely shaken, felt his body stiffen when he thought of that day.

 

Duke Esteban is undoubtedly a devil, not a human. The Duke was certain of it.

 

Meanwhile, Edwin drank the tea poured by the attendant. After confirming there was no poison, he swapped it with her tea.

 

“Hmm?”

 

Alice looked at his actions with a puzzled gaze before realizing the reason and offering an awkward smile.

 

“Thank you. But you don’t have to go this far…”

 

“Don’t forget an important fact, Alice.”

 

Though he was speaking to her, Edwin’s gaze was pinned on the Duke.

 

“If anything were to happen to you, Elgorth would disappear from the map entirely.”

 

“Cough.”

 

Alice let out a dry cough.

 

‘We’re not the only ones here…’ She felt self-conscious under the Duke’s gaze.

 

The Duke realized it. Duke Esteban’s words were not a warning aimed at the Crown Princess, but at him.

 

‘Does he know that the assassin sent to the carriage when the Crown Princess was still a Princess was my doing? If he had known, my life wouldn’t still be attached to my neck.’ Just as the Duke was pondering…

 

“Of course, the Duchy is no exception.”

 

The Duke’s hand, reaching for his teacup, faltered at the sight of those blood-red eyes gleaming with a chilling light.

 

‘He knew.’

 

Cold sweat ran down the Duke’s hand as he belatedly picked up the cup.

 

Edwin watched the Duke’s behavior with a leisurely face.

 

Back then, he hadn’t killed him simply because there was no definitive evidence and because he took into account Alice, who extremely disliked killing.

 

Had there been one more attempt after that, evidence would have been gathered, and he would have disposed of the Duke without hesitation.

 

Duke Wigmund’s face hardened as he felt a bone-chilling fear of death for the first time in a long while.

 

Amidst the strangely cold atmosphere, Alice could only fidget with her fingers and look at the clock.

 

‘I wish someone would just get here.’

 

Her wish was granted not long after. A great commotion broke out in front of the Great Hall doors.

 

It sounded like a massive group of people rushing in together.

 

Alice, who had been obediently drinking the tea Edwin gave her, set her cup down and turned her gaze toward the sound.

 

Seeing Edwin remain calm and composed, Alice thought it might not be a big deal.

 

But on the other hand, she was curious about the commotion.

 

—Thud!

 

The doors burst open.

 

Royals and other high-ranking nobles flooded in, gasping for breath with faces flushed bright red as if they had just engaged in strenuous exercise.

 

“W-we are sorry for being late!”

 

They spent a long time apologizing as if they were seeking atonement, and only after Alice said it was alright did they each take their seats.

 

Alice’s gaze instinctively slid toward Edwin.

 

‘I wonder what kind of threat he made this time…’

 

Judging by how they were all apologizing and begging for the lives of their families to be spared, it seemed he had threatened them with the annihilation of their entire houses.

 

Still, could a simple threat like that make them this terrified?

 

‘Something must have happened in the sanctuary while I had my eyes closed.’

 

Looking at their reactions, the deaths in the sanctuary couldn’t have been ordinary.

 

Alice considered it a stroke of luck that she hadn’t seen it with her own eyes. If she had witnessed it, it surely would have appeared in her nightmares forever.

 

“Ugh!”

 

One by one, they all seemed to have dry throats as they drank the hot tea in front of them and burned their tongues.

 

It was a pathetic sight to behold. Alice asked, “Are you alright?”

 

“W-we are fine, Your Highness.”

 

The faces trying to force a smile were still red. They didn’t look fine at all.

 

For the first time, these people, who had always been obnoxious, looked pitiable.

 

As the nobles insisted they were fine, Alice took a sip of her tea, feeling a bit awkward.

 

“Now that everyone is gathered, we should begin the meeting,” Duke Wigmund spoke up after observing the situation.

 

Alice nodded. There was no need to drag the meeting out.

 

She also wanted to finish this meeting quickly and go back to rest. She was already starting to miss her bed.

 

However, no one in the room opened their mouth. Their expressions were identical.

 

They all looked as though the outcome of the meeting was already decided, so what was there to talk about?

 

The Duke seemed to read those faces as well; his expression hardened for a moment before he skillfully donned his “good man” mask.

 

“It seems we have reached a consensus… Congratulations, Your Highness.”

 

“Pardon? What do you mean…”

 

Alice looked at him with a bewildered face. Duke Wigmund didn’t reply to her words and merely tilted his teacup. It was to hide his hardening expression.

 

The other nobles, who were quick to read the room, began to applaud one after another and offered their congratulations.

 

“It is a great blessing for the Empire to welcome a new ruler.”

 

‘Pardon?’

 

Alice almost spat out the tea she was drinking.

 

And just like that, the next ruler was decided.

 

Elizabeth Lede Elgorth Van.

 

It was her.

 

 

***

 

 

The meeting, which dealt with the most critical agenda in the Empire, ended in such a hollow manner. Alice and Edwin were the first to leave the hall. On the way back to the Crown Princess’ Palace, Alice boarded the carriage with a face that looked like she had a great deal to say about the situation that had just unfolded.

 

Once the carriage door closed and she was alone with Edwin, she immediately spoke up.

 

“Edwin, don’t you think something went wrong?”

 

“What did?”

 

Alice thought his counter-question was a joke, but seeing the look in his eyes, she pressed a hand to her forehead. He genuinely believed nothing was wrong.

 

“I’m not prepared for any of this, and it’s happening too fast. This isn’t like picking a neighborhood representative… it shouldn’t be done this way.”

 

As she spoke, Alice began to worry about the very fate of the Empire.

 

“Then what kind of procedure is necessary?”

 

“I think we need to talk about this a bit more.”

 

“If that’s what you want, let’s do as Alice says.”

 

However, Alice already knew. Even if further meetings were held, the result would remain the same. As long as Edwin was there, she was in a position where she had no choice but to inherit the throne.

 

‘If I don’t, everyone dies, so what else can I do?’

 

Then, an Empress I shall be…

 

The problem was that she was a complete novice when it came to state affairs. It had only been a few months since she became a Princess, and less than a month since she was named Crown Princess. It would be absurd to claim she had gained enough experience to govern in that short time.

 

‘It would be different if it were the genius Richet Evans.’

 

Realizing her own limitations, Alice spoke with a face of firm resolve, thinking of the one person she had just recalled.

 

“I can’t just let this happen.”

 

She couldn’t just sit idly by and inherit the throne. She hurriedly knocked on the carriage door. A moment later, the carriage, which had been heading toward the Crown Princess’s Palace, changed direction and headed toward Count Evans’ estate.

 

 

***

 

 

It didn’t take as long as expected to reach Count Evans’ mansion. Outside the carriage, a green manor appeared, sporting the same hue as the pigeon brooch Richet Evans always wore near her chest. The neatly manicured garden and lawn in front of the house naturally brought to mind the refined Evans couple.

 

When she stepped out of the carriage and rang the doorbell, a middle-aged man with brown hair and an ordinary impression emerged from the manor. It was Enrico, the butler of the Count’s estate.

 

“I am sorry. The masters have just left for a reading club, so it will take some time for them to return.”

 

“That’s alright. I’m the one who visited without notice… Could you tell them I’ll come back later?”

 

“Yes, well—”

 

The butler, who reflexively turned his head after feeling a piercing gaze from a moment ago, gasped and cut himself off, speaking hurriedly.

 

“Y-Your Highness. It would be better for you to come inside and wait. The masters will be back soon, so if you wait just a little while, you will be able to see them.”

 

“Pardon? You just said they just left and it would take time…”

 

“I must have been mistaken about the time. I am truly sorry.”

 

What could she say to someone apologizing with a deep bow? Alice waved her hand, saying it was fine.

 

“Is it alright for a guest to wait in a house when the masters aren’t home?”

 

“The masters consider Your Highness a very special person, so they will not mind at all.”

 

“Well, then, I’ll intrude for a moment.”

 

Following the butler’s invitation, she turned back to look at Edwin before entering the manor.

 

“Edwin, are you okay for time? If you’re busy, it’s fine if you head back first…”

 

“If I did that, it wouldn’t be okay on my end.”

 

“If it’s not okay, then I guess you’d better come in too…”

 

Faced with his adamant refusal, Alice entered the manor with him, wearing a face of slight resignation.

 

“I shall bring some tea. Please wait a moment, both of you.”

 

Once they were settled in the drawing room according to the butler’s guidance, Enrico bowed politely and left to fetch the tea.

 

Now that she was alone with Edwin in the drawing room, Alice’s mouth felt itchy. The curiosity stemming from Edwin’s earlier answer continued to dominate her thoughts.

 

‘Does Edwin really want to be with me that much?’

 

The fundamental question of why on earth he liked her kept swirling in her head. If he liked her just because she helped him at the spire, shouldn’t he also like Evan, who treated him at the time? She couldn’t fathom the reason for his intense obsession.

 

And to put her on the throne simply because he liked her…

 

‘This is… almost on the level of a cult follower.’

 

In the original story, the affection he showed Michael was closer to actions that destroyed everything Michael had. But now, the method was completely different. She had never seen or heard of anyone liking someone else in this way—until she experienced it herself.

 

Unable to contain her curiosity, Alice finally spoke.

 

“Edwin, why do you like me?”

 

For a second, Edwin knitted his brows as if he couldn’t understand the question. Did there have to be a reason to like her? To him, there was no fact more naturally determined than the premise that he liked her. But Alice was looking at him as if she wanted an answer.

 

So, he had no choice but to consider it. The deliberation didn’t last long. Edwin’s red lips opened.

 

“I like everything. What you possess, everything that constitutes and makes you who you are.”

 

Hearing the answer, Alice let out a small cough. In his response, a madness no less intense than his actions peeked through. But why was it that the burden of embarrassment fell on her, the listener?

 

“If you want something more specific, just say the word. I’ll tell you everything.”

 

“I-It’s okay.”

 

She shook her head and declined with an awkward smile. Then she thought: ‘It’s a huge relief there’s no one else here.’

 

If someone else had heard Edwin’s words, she would have burned into ashes from sheer shame.

 

“Since when did you like me?”

 

“Since a long time ago.”

 

“Don’t tell me… since ten years ago?”

 

Edwin nodded. Alice sat with her mouth slightly open, her face blank. She thought he had done a remarkable job of hiding those inner feelings.

 

As if reading her thoughts, he leaned back leisurely on the sofa and spoke.

 

“Going to war was actually a fortunate thing. If I had stayed by Alice’s side, I wouldn’t have been able to endure it.”

 

If he hadn’t been able to endure and had shown her his true colors, she would have fled from him immediately. He knew all too well how she had always looked at him with wary, measuring eyes. No, he knew that gaze better than anyone. He had never once missed a single look or expression of hers in front of him.

 

For some reason, Alice kept sipping her tea to hide her face, which was burning against her will.

 

 

***

 

 

“Oh my, you’ve been waiting long, haven’t you? I’m so sorry, Your Highness.”

 

Richet Evans and Raymond Evans returned in a hurry upon receiving word that the Crown Princess was waiting. Alice waved her hand at her apology and said: “Not at all. I was worried I might have interrupted you by visiting without notice. Did the reading club end well?”

 

“It was a lovely time. It would be a great experience for Your Highness to attend as well when you have the time.”

 

Though they had left in the middle of the meeting, the Evans couple did not show any outward sign of it.

 

“When I have time… I don’t know if I’ll have any time left now.”

 

The Evans couple looked at each other and took their seats. They didn’t even touch the teacups in front of them, instead looking at her with worried eyes. It was unusual for the Crown Princess to seek them out like this. Did that mean something serious had happened?

 

Count Evans spoke up cautiously first.

 

“May we know if something has happened to Your Highness?”

 

“Actually…”

 

Alice hesitated before answering his question. It didn’t feel real to deliver the news that she was ascending to the throne in an instant.

 

In the meantime, Richet recalled that today was the day the meeting was held in the Great Hall.

 

“Could it be that something happened at the meeting?”

 

“That’s right…”

 

Alice let out a long, heavy sigh. No matter how much Edwin was there, she couldn’t always resolve state affairs with force. She desperately needed the help of these two right now.

 

But when she tried to speak, the words wouldn’t come out. She was worried she might be setting fire to the peaceful lives of this couple.

 

As if reading her concern, Richet spoke.

 

“Your Highness, we are willing to help with anything, so please speak freely.”

 

“Then… could you help me with the work of governing the state?”

 

“Oh…”

 

“Then Your Highness…”

 

The Evans couple looked at each other with shocked faces, unable to continue. The Crown Princess’s request implied only one thing: that the person to succeed the throne was the Crown Princess.

 

Alice continued to speak to the stunned couple.

 

“I heard that in the past, there were many imperial aides from the Marquis Ertmann family. Would that still apply now?”

 

At Alice’s words, Richet fell into thought. Seeing Richet close her mouth with a serious face, Alice moistened her throat.

 

Richet Ertmann, now Richet Evans. Before she was that, she was someone with undeniable talent in political affairs. However, after marrying Count Evans, she had stepped away from politics to fulfill her duties as the lady of the Count’s house.

 

“That… I’ll have to talk it over with my husband. I’ll make sure the wait isn’t long, Your Highness.”

 

Richet concluded the conversation by saying she would send a reply to the Imperial Palace soon.

 

 

***

 

 

News of the Crown Princess’s enthronement spread quickly through the palace. The movements of the maids and attendants became busy as they prepared to welcome a new master. Alice was no different.

 

As soon as she woke up in the morning, she headed to the office with Ena, carrying her clothes.

 

“I still can’t believe it.”

 

Ena, who had only recently heard the news about Alice, had a blank face, wondering if she was dreaming.

 

“I didn’t want to believe it either…”

 

Alice also wanted to deny reality, but her feet were faithfully moving toward the office. The Crown Princess’ office was not far away. Since she hadn’t officially inherited the throne at a coronation yet, she had to use the office in the Crown Princess’ Palace.

 

‘Come to think of it, this is my first time going to an office in the Imperial Palace.’

 

Since the Emperor hadn’t even thought about passing down the work of a successor, it was her first time using an office. And to think it was her office. Her life had always been spent knocking on other people’s office doors; she had truly lived long enough to see everything.

 

The reality of having to live like her house was the office—sleeping, eating, and working there—was not particularly pleasant. She shot a resentful glance at Edwin, who was carrying luggage beside her.

 

“Alice, are you hurting somewhere?”

 

Edwin asked with concern at her gaze. If she said she was in pain, he looked ready to pick her up and run to the infirmary immediately.

 

“No, I’m perfectly healthy…”

 

Alice replied, her lips twitching. She actually felt like lying down because she was sick. Then she could just lie there and play while eating the food provided by the palace.

 

‘He definitely knows what I’m thinking and is acting like that on purpose.’

 

She was the one becoming Empress, but Edwin was the one who was happiest. Since then, whenever Alice made a face of dissatisfaction regarding the throne, Edwin would soothe her with desserts. What really infuriated Alice was that the dessert effect worked on her instantly.

 

‘Every time I eat dessert, I start wanting to stay here.’

 

Sometimes she felt a surge of greed to kidnap only the chef of this place and run away. If she did that, Edwin would track her down, wouldn’t he? Imagining it was like a horror thriller.

 

“Is this the office?”

 

—Slam!

 

Alice opened the office door and then hurriedly closed it.

 

“What is it, Milady?”

 

“Wait a moment… I have something to think about.”

 

Ena asked curiously, but Alice closed her eyes with a solemn face.

 

‘I have organized the matters in Your Highness’s office based on what requires the most urgent review.’

 

A while ago, the former Emperor’s aides and the palace’s administrative officers had visited the Crown Princess’ Palace. After explaining the major tasks she had to handle as a priority, they returned to their offices.

 

But Alice had seen it in that split second she opened the office door.

 

The sheer volume of the stacked documents.

 

That was absolutely not an amount that could be resolved within a single day.

 

“Could there have been a mix-up in the work? Maybe documents meant for other officers came here. Right, there’s no way. This must be the work I have to do. Right!”

 

She muttered like a crazy person and clenched her fists. Earlier, they had clearly said they only placed documents requiring the Emperor’s approval in the office.

 

“But there are this many?”

 

Alice opened the office door again. Perhaps it was a room with good lighting, as it was bright even though no lights were on. There was one large office table by the window, and medium-sized desks on either side. Those seats were likely for the aides.

 

As she approached the largest desk, the pile of documents looked even higher, like a mountain. Looking at the amount of paperwork with a distant heart, she read one of them. As expected, there were no surprises.

 

They were all portions she had to handle.

 

 

***

 

 

The sun was already setting behind the horizon. Meanwhile, the office was crowded with people other than Edwin. They were mostly administrative officers in charge of the imperial government’s practical duties. Since Alice was still inexperienced in public affairs, she had been stuck from the start—even recognizing the terminology used in the documents was a challenge. Fortunately, the officers stayed by her side, explaining every term one by one. Once the terminology issue was resolved, the rest wasn’t difficult, allowing her to heave a sigh of relief.

 

‘To think that working like a dog in my past life just to avoid starving to death would shine like this here…’

 

She looked at the documents she had organized with a complicated gaze. As time passed, a strange phenomenon occurred: the officers by her side were actually beginning to learn her way of handling work. Had the people here really been doing things in such a disorganized, haphazard way all this time?

 

‘No wonder there’s no efficiency.’

 

She clicked her tongue as she looked at the piles of paper—it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call them a grave of documents. She then sat the officers down again and explained the method of organizing paperwork once more.

 

“These documents are currently divided by region, but it’s better to categorize them by the type of administrative task rather than the location.”

 

“Why is that better?”

 

“Even though these are documents that only need the final approval, they are sorted by region. But if we categorize them by task from the beginning, the administrator’s review time will be significantly faster, speeding up the overall workflow.”

 

This wasn’t just minor administration; it was state governance, so the scale of the work was merciless. Yet, in such a massive operation, the essential element of efficiency was completely absent.

 

‘This is practically telling people to die from overwork.’

 

Since it was her first day, she had planned to just learn the ropes and take a rest, but she pressed a hand to her forehead in a distant daze. If she just overlooked this and moved on, it would eventually result in only her workload increasing.

 

“How exactly does the review time become faster?” one officer asked.

 

Alice replied, “How are the duties of the officers currently divided?”

 

“The tasks aren’t specifically divided; one officer handles many different kinds of documents.”

 

“Then we’ll need to divide the departments first.”

 

Alice continued her explanation to the officers, who still didn’t quite understand.

 

“The volume and variety of documents entering the palace are vast. It’s far too inefficient for one person to handle every type individually. It’s much faster to divide specific roles and have each person carry out their assigned tasks.”

 

Of course, for someone as proficient in all areas as Richet Evans, it wouldn’t matter how things were categorized… Alice couldn’t help but feel the void left by Richet’s absence more than ever. However, the reply to her proposal had not yet arrived.

 

To the officers who still struggled to grasp the unfamiliar workflow, Alice said:

 

“For now, just do as I say. You have to try it to know.”

 

Alice let out an involuntary sigh. One of the officers produced a document and held it out to her. It was a draft containing exactly what she had just said.

 

“Then, would you please grant approval so we can work in this manner?”

 

Even the method of handling work required the Emperor’s approval? That meant this way of working had been followed since ancient times, leading to this current state.

 

‘The first button was definitely sewn on wrong.’

 

Just because the first Emperor defined the virtue of a successor as military might, does that mean they should pour all their stats into martial power and ignore everything else? Alice swallowed a sigh and picked up the Imperial Seal. The officers looked delighted as the Imperial Seal was pressed onto the bottom of the document outlining the revised workflow. Seeing them, Alice gave a complicated smile and lowered her gaze back to the papers.

 

‘More importantly…’

 

Whether the nobles of this empire had “sticky fingers” or not, the accounting ledgers submitted from each fief were suspicious. Even considering the relief efforts carried out during the long war, such massive expenditures could never be possible given the population size of each territory. In that way, they were receiving tax exemptions under the guise of relief measures.

 

‘It wouldn’t be strange for a peasant revolt to break out at any moment.’

 

Furthermore, the taxes they squeezed out of the commoners under the pretext of necessary operating costs for the fief were excessive. The bottom line was that there were numerous territories that practiced over-taxation while significantly reducing the taxes they paid to the state. What was the point of winning wars and expanding territory? It wouldn’t be surprising if the Empire collapsed before the throne could be passed down through a few more generations.

 

‘First, let’s deal with these thugs.’

 

Having made up her mind, Alice pondered how to solve this. Her deliberation didn’t last long, as the most effective method occurred to her immediately. It was time to use that military might the first Emperor had so highly prized as a virtue. Alice looked at Edwin, who was reviewing documents at the desk beside her.

 

“Ed, can we talk for a moment?”

 

 

***

 

 

The busy day passed, and the sun rose once more. Unlike the clear sky, the faces of Alice and Ena were gloomy. Alice, who had been sleeping face-down in the office, rose weakly. She stretched her neck and shoulders and scanned the room. One officer was sprawled out on the floor, sleeping with a stack of documents as a pillow.

 

‘He’s going to catch a cold like that.’

 

Suddenly noticing that Edwin’s seat had been cleared, she felt a sense of emptiness. Currently, Edwin had gone to meet the lords of the fiefs whose ledgers were suspicious, following her orders.

 

‘If I’d known it would come to this, I should have learned swordsmanship too…’

 

Alice looked at the documents on her shelf again with a face full of envy for Edwin. However, she noticed unfamiliar memos attached to each document. It was Edwin’s handwriting.

 

[Issues regarding the enactment of legislation related to tax profiteering in gold mine quarry transport operations.]

 

[Issues regarding the crackdown on embezzlement of war relief supplies.]

 

They were memos that compressed the contents of long documents.

 

‘Did he really read all of these and summarize them for me…?’

 

Summarizing all these documents must have consumed no small amount of time. Processing the documents at his own seat alone would have taken all day, yet he had even summarized her paperwork before leaving for the fiefs. Moved by Edwin’s tender assistance, Alice felt a pang of regret that he wasn’t by her side right now.

 

‘I wanted to tell him thank you.’

 

Furthermore, thinking about everything up to now, the help she had received from Edwin was immense. Alice worried that she might forget to convey this gratitude due to her heavy workload.

 

[Tell Edwin thank you.]

 

Alice took out a notepad, scribbled it down with a pen, and thought:

 

‘I wonder where Edwin is right now.’

 

She rolled the pen between her fingers for a moment, thinking of him.

 

 

***

 

 

“Aaaaagh!”

 

Meanwhile, Edwin looked down coldly at a lord who was screaming and rolling on the floor, clutching his stomach.

 

“Stop exaggerating.”

 

He had only lightly kicked the man’s bulging stomach, yet he was making a scene as if he were dying right then and there.

 

“Is he really going to die?” Chester, standing nearby, asked with a concerned tone. However, his eyes were full of amusement as he watched the scene.

 

“He won’t die from this. If he does die like this, it must be Alice’s will,” Edwin said dryly.

 

Not God’s will, but Alice’s will. Hearing that, Chester looked at his superior with a slightly appalled expression. To his eyes, his superior’s behavior wasn’t simply that of someone who liked the Crown Princess. He looked more like a fanatic serving a deity.

 

“So, where is the real ledger?” Edwin asked. Count Martin, who had been rolling on the floor for a while, coughed and closed his eyes, pretending to have fainted.

 

“Kyaaa! Father!” The Count’s family members nearby screamed, covering their mouths with both hands.

 

“Oh dear, it seems he finally died.” Chester, tilting his eyebrows into an ‘eight’ shape as if he were sorry, gave the man a few pokes with his foot. At those words, red eyes slowly scanned the surroundings. The family members of Count Martin, who met his gaze, hurriedly avoided his eyes and shut their mouths.

 

“Regrettable. It’s only right to take care of the aftermath.” Edwin gestured toward Count Martin and spoke. “Bury the body in the ground.”

 

“Where exactly?”

 

“There’s a mountain nearby; that seems like a good spot.”

 

At the mention of being buried alive, cold sweat poured down Count Martin’s body like grease. Chester, acting as if he really intended to bury the man, slung the lying Count Martin over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

 

“Oof, your husband must have eaten many delicious things. Haha,” Chester said to the noble lady, laughing at the heavy weight. Naturally, there was no reply. They had walked only a few paces when suddenly, with a gasping sound, Count Martin began to struggle.

 

“I-I’m s-still alive!!”

 

Chester’s movement came to a halt. “Oh? You were alive? I thought you were dead.”

 

“I-is it permissible for an imperial knight to follow the private orders of another noble?!”

 

“It doesn’t matter, since Duke Estevan’s order is the Crown Princess’ command.”

 

“What…!?”

 

Step, step.

 

The Count, dangling from Chester’s shoulder, suddenly turned his head at the sound of approaching footsteps.

 

“…!”

 

The Count trembled with a chill upon seeing the man with the intensely expressionless face. The red gaze slowly fell upon the Count’s face. The red eyes watching him held an unconcealed boredom and bloodlust.

 

“P-please spare me!”

 

Ultimately, Count Martin, having been let down from Chester’s shoulder, knelt and begged, rubbing his hands together until they were nearly worn down. When the Count had first heard the news that the Duke was visiting his fief, he had only snorted in derision. He had never wavered in his theory that rumors were usually exaggerated.

 

‘That madman.’

 

However, the moment the Count saw that gaze, he realized the rumors were not exaggerated. That man was truly insane. A lunatic who wouldn’t think twice about creating a sea of blood for the sake of his goals. And so, that madman’s “tax harvest” was progressing smoothly, just as Alice had expected.

 

 

***

 

 

“Uuuugh… my shoulders.”

 

“Shall I massage them for you?” As Alice was reviewing documents while receiving a shoulder massage from Ena, there was a knock, and she told the person to enter. It was the imperial postman.

 

“A letter has arrived.”

 

There were two letters in total. One was from the papacy, and the other was from Count Evans’ estate. Alice first opened the envelope from the Holy See with a letter opener and began to read.

 

[To my dear Alice.

 

Alice, how have you been? I am doing well under God’s grace and care.

 

The news about you has reached us here as well. Before offering my congratulations, Alice, I find myself filled with worry.

 

Of course, I believe you will handle everything well…

 

However, the events of the past few months are not something easily borne by you, or anyone for that matter. Thus, on one hand, I am concerned that the burden might be too difficult for you.

 

If it is hard, you must not hide it; you should express your struggles to those around you. Whether that person is me or someone else nearby, it is alright. (…) Ah, and are you perhaps worried about Michael? My brother is recovering well through diligent nutritional intake. Occasionally El asks after you, but knowing his personality, he wouldn’t be able to stay still, so I haven’t told him the news about you yet.]

 

Reading the letter, Alice felt relieved at the news that Michael’s condition had improved. She also knew all too well why Evan hadn’t told him.

 

‘With Michael’s personality, would he be able to stay still?’

 

If he knew about the mess that had happened in the palace, he would have dragged his aching body here to cause a scene. He would have demanded they escape from this insane place. Just imagining it felt like Michael’s nagging was playing vividly in her head.

 

[Finally, the temple doors are always open, so please visit whenever things are difficult. Letters are also welcome.

 

Wishing for your peace,

 

Evan Elga.]

 

Having finished the letter, which felt as though she could hear Evan’s gentle voice until the very end, Alice immediately picked up her pen. After quickly writing a reply and pressing the Imperial Seal onto it, she handed the finished letter to the postman. She then looked at the remaining letter with narrowed eyes. It was the letter from the Count Evans family.

 

‘What is it about this that makes me so nervous?’

 

Fiddling with the envelope of the Evans family, Alice swallowed hard. Her heart was pounding as if she were someone who had just confessed to her first love.

 

“Ena, please pray for me.”

 

“What kind of prayer?”

 

At Ena’s question, Alice spoke with an earnest face. “Just pray that this letter brings a positive reply.”

 

“You mean the letter from the Count Evans family?” Ena, who didn’t know what had happened at the Count Evans estate, wore a puzzled expression. However, she soon folded her hands and prayed as Alice asked. Leaving Ena behind, Alice opened the letter while clutching her pounding heart.

 

[To Your Highness. I am sorry for the long wait. I shall prepare shortly and enter the palace.

 

—From Richet Evans]

 

 

***

 

 

“Ah, I’m so happy.”

 

“You were making such a fuss about being sleepy enough to die just a moment ago… Is Lady Evans really that incredible of a person?” Ena asked Alice, who was humming with joy all the way back to her room.

 

“Yes. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say my life and death are in Richet’s hands.”

 

“Wow… is it really that much?”

 

Alice nodded.

 

The performance of Richet Evans, as seen through her special ability, was magnificent. She had secretly won over major figures of the Empire, shaken the imperial palace’s finances, and joined hands with other nations to economically isolate the Elgorth Empire. Furthermore, she deliberately created negative public opinion about the imperial family to unsettle the people’s hearts and sowed the seeds of rebellion. All of this was done to pull one person—Edwin, who had killed her brother—down from the throne. Her political strategies and skills were both perfect. Thus, she was the only one who had made Edwin struggle until the very end. Though she eventually lost to him, that was only because he possessed military power that transcended human limits.

 

‘If Edwin had been an ordinary human, he would have fallen long ago.’

 

Entering her room, Alice winced at the ear-splitting sound of a child’s crying.

 

[FEED ME!! I’m starving to death!!]

 

It was a somewhat familiar voice. Ah, right… Alice looked at the jewelry box on her desk with a stunned face.

 

‘I put it in the jewelry box last time… and completely forgot about it.’

 

The spirit had said some nonsense about wanting to eat the dew that forms on leaves at dawn, so she had just tucked it away. Since then, she had been so busy that she hadn’t been able to feed the spirit the morning dew it wanted.

 

‘But do spirits feel hunger?’

 

That was something she had never heard or seen before.

 

“Alright, alright. I’ll feed you, so just wait a second.”

 

‘Who knows, spirits might actually feel hunger.’

 

Alice spoke as she picked up the jewelry box. Ena’s eyes went wide.

 

“Milady, who are you talking to?”

 

Only then did Alice recall the fact that the spirit’s voice couldn’t be heard by anyone but herself.

 

“I’m talking to my stomach.”

 

Ena gave her a cold, dry look and walked toward the door.

 

“…You seem very hungry. I’ll go get some food.”

 

“Okay.”

 

It was a random excuse she’d made up, but she was starting to feel a bit hungry herself. Nodding, Alice confirmed Ena had left and took the spirit stone out of the jewelry box. The spirit stone she took out was glowing as if it were angry. Alice spoke with a sorry face.

 

“So, how am I supposed to feed you?”

 

[I thought I was going to die from frustration.]

 

“So, the food.”

 

[Just give me whatever.]

 

Alice looked at the spirit’s insincere answer in bewilderment. “What? You said you were hungry.”

 

[I just said that because I wanted to come out?]

 

How absurd. Faced with the spirit’s brazenness, Alice picked up the spirit stone and opened the jewelry box again. At that, the spirit hurriedly fled. Fled…?

 

“W-what!” Alice recoiled in horror as the spirit suddenly transformed from a stone into a small child and landed (?) on the floor. She stepped back and tripped over the table leg, falling.

 

Crash!

 

“Ack!”

 

Seeing this, the spirit burst into laughter.

 

“Ahem! Serves you right. This is why humans should use their hearts kindly.”

 

“Ugh…”

 

Before the fallen Alice, a strange and unusual scene unfolded where a child of about five years old used the speech of an old man. His silver hair and green eyes made him look like a young Michael. Thus, Alice couldn’t even get angry at the spirit who was giggling and mocking her. And why, why…!

 

‘He’s naked!’

 

His body was one where gender couldn’t be distinguished, but regardless, Alice couldn’t stop herself from feeling embarrassed. To think the spirit, called the essence of purity, was such a being—truly, rumors were not to be believed.

 

“Ah, this is going to bruise…” Alice muttered, looking at the bruise caused by hitting the table. At that, the laughter that sounded like rolling glass beads stopped abruptly.

 

“…Really?”

 

The spirit, who had been laughing from afar, came running over. Alice, sensing the spirit’s seemingly unsettled expression, deliberately exaggerated her pain.

 

“Ah, I’m dying…”

 

“Human! Don’t die! You have to feed me!”

 

Am I just a human who gives you food? She wanted to retort, but Alice squeezed her eyes shut, continuing to act hurt. As she lay sprawled on the floor, the spirit approached and shook her body.

 

Alice, who had been waiting for the right moment, didn’t miss the opportunity and grabbed the spirit’s leg firmly. The spirit, startled, began to struggle.

 

“What are you doing!”

 

“It’s amazing. Spirits also feel warm?”

 

Alice grabbed the spirit’s arm out of sudden curiosity. He really felt warm like human skin, and furthermore, his touch was soft and tender like a baby’s.

 

“Stop touching me!” The spirit screamed, and Alice quickly let go. It was a statement that could easily be misunderstood if someone heard it.

 

“Why is your way of speaking like that?”

 

“Ahem, human. Do you now see the solemnity and dignity of a spirit?”

 

“I don’t see it at all.” Alice recalled the spirit mocking her as soon as she fell and grabbed his leg again. “Go back into the stone, quickly!”

 

“No! I finally made it out of the box; do you think I’ll go back!”

 

“…Then you’re going to keep staying here like this?”

 

“Yeah, I’m going to. I didn’t know when I was in the stone, but this place is really wide.”

 

His way of speaking was inconsistent, despite his earlier talk of dignity. Finally, Alice was driven to distraction by the brazen behavior of the spirit, who even went as far as stealing her bed.

 

Knock, knock. Hearing the knock shortly after, Alice realized Ena, who had gone to get the meal, had returned. She hurriedly approached the door.

 

“Wait! I want to be alone for a bit, so can you come back when I call you later?”

 

“Pardon? All of a sudden?”

 

“I have something to think about.”

 

“I don’t know what’s going on… but fine, I understand.” She heard the sound of Ena’s footsteps as she walked away, grumbling. Alice, who had been pressed against the door, immediately opened the wardrobe.

 

‘Let’s get some clothes on him first.’ She couldn’t just leave the spirit here, having transformed into a completely naked person.

 

 

***

 

 

“But why did you show up now after staying quiet all this time?”

 

“A person who tried to kill me has been stuck by your side—how could I possibly appear if I were human?”

 

The spirit was rolling around on the bed, calling Alice ‘human.’ So, to summarize it simply…

 

‘It means he didn’t appear because he was scared of Edwin, who is always with me.’

 

The spirit readily agreed with her simple and straightforward summary, nodding his head.

 

“Yes, that’s right.”

 

The spirit seemed to have no pride or self-respect whatsoever. Alice filed this new fact away in her mind.

 

“You said you wanted to drink water, right? Here’s some water.”

 

Alice handed the water to the spirit. She couldn’t just ignore him now that he wore a human skin, whereas she had only ever seen him as a stone.

 

The spirit stared intensely at the cup she gave him, then suddenly plunged his hand into the water. Alice’s blue eyes widened in surprise.

 

“…!”

 

The water vanished as if it were being absorbed into the spirit’s hand. Glancing at her, the spirit replied:

 

“It’s not particularly delicious water, but it’s not bad.”

 

The water you just drank is the finest in the Empire. Alice started to say the words but stopped. Then the spirit, who had been watching her, spoke first.

 

“Since you gave me water, I’ll tell you.”

 

“Hm?”

 

Alice tilted her head at the spirit’s sudden offer to tell her something. What was he going to tell her? At that, the spirit furrowed his brows as if he were angry. However, because it felt like he was clumsily imitating human expressions, it felt awkward yet cute at the same time.

 

“Ah, that matter you said you’d tell me about if I fed you morning dew last time?”

 

“You finally remembered! Human!”

 

The spirit nodded vigorously. Alice gave an awkward smile at his face, which seemed to find her commendable for remembering. The spirit, simply taking a human smile to be a positive emotion, spoke easily.

 

“The person who tried to kill me—he was going to kill everyone in that white castle, the temple.”

 

“…Why on earth?”

 

Alice couldn’t understand. Why would Edwin try to kill the people in the temple? Excited by her interest, the spirit began to explain what had happened on the day of the ability test. Alice found herself sitting there listening to a long lecture from the spirit about what a terrible person Edwin was. It was difficult to interrupt the spirit, who seemed so agitated, and the content of his story was also shocking.

 

She recalled the conversation she’d had with Edwin on the way to the temple.

 

“If the ability test shows that I’m not the princess… Edwin, what will you do?”

 

At those words, Edwin had said without a hint of hesitation: “That will never happen, Alice.”

 

“But what if it does?”

 

“If it turns out that way, then the test is wrong. Then we just have to invalidate the test.”

 

So… that time. Only then did she understand Edwin’s confidence. He must have said that because he had already made a plan. Alice couldn’t help but imagine a different scenario.

 

“If the results of the ability test had come out wrong…”

 

Everyone except her might have died. Evan, and the people in the temple too. She swallowed hard. It was a chilling fact.

 

Knock, knock.

 

She was startled by the sound of another knock.

 

“E-Ena?” Alice muttered as she slowly stood up.

 

However, the spirit realized who was outside the door, and his face began to turn increasingly pale. Alice, not noticing his change, grabbed the doorknob.

 

“I told her to come when called…”

 

It was a bit of a hassle to have to explain the spirit’s existence, but since she was with Ena all day anyway, she figured it would be better to explain it beforehand. Since the spirit was already dressed, she threw the door wide open.

 

However, contrary to her expectations, the person who had knocked was not Ena. Alice was shocked by the appearance of a man who was much taller than Ena.

 

“Edwin?!”

 

Why, why was Edwin here?

 

‘I definitely gave him orders regarding the tax collection yesterday.’

 

At the truly unexpected visitor, she felt like her heart had dropped. It was even more so because she had been listening to people speak ill of him until just now. She didn’t know why she was so startled when she wasn’t the one talking behind his back, but she timidly watched Edwin’s reaction.

 

His gaze was fixed inside the room. Only then did Alice realize she wasn’t alone in the room and hurriedly scanned the area.

 

‘Did the spirit manage to run away?’

 

The spirit, who had been harshly bad-mouthing Edwin, was nowhere to be seen. Instead, the stone that hadn’t been on the bed was sitting there alone.

 

‘He went back into the stone.’

 

He wouldn’t listen when she told him to go back into the stone, yet he transformed at a single appearance by Edwin. It was absurd, but Alice didn’t let it show as she asked: “Is the work finished already?”

 

How could he have returned so soon after the order was given? As she asked, Alice noticed the papers in Edwin’s hand. He handed her several papers at her gaze. They were signed agreements to pay the taxes.

 

“It wasn’t a very difficult task, so it ended quickly.”

 

It certainly wasn’t a difficult task for him. However, even Alice hadn’t expected him to resolve the tax issue so quickly. While lost in thought, she failed to notice the shadow looming larger and larger, and she held her breath as Edwin suddenly drew close.

 

“Alice, you forgot one thing.”

 

“What…?”

 

The red eyes looking down at her grew even more persistent. As Alice tilted her head, the blood-red lips spoke.

 

“You should call me ‘Ed.’”

 

“Ah… Ed.”

 

At his correction, Alice reflexively repeated his words. Having done so, her face somehow felt hot. It wasn’t like this when she called Michael by a nickname, so she didn’t know why calling Edwin by his nickname made her feel so itchy and embarrassed inside.

 

While she fidgeted with her hands, Edwin scanned the room with a coldly sunken gaze.

 

‘I definitely heard voices from inside.’

 

He couldn’t feel the presence of any humans other than Alice. However, he could very faintly sense the aura of another life force. Then, at Alice’s voice, he quickly shifted his gaze toward her.

 

“What is it?”

 

“No, it’s nothing. But Alice.”

 

Edwin’s gaze suddenly moved to her leg. His eyes were cold as ice.

 

“Are you hurt?”

 

“Ah… yes, that.”

 

The bruise was definitely fresh. Edwin asked her the reason for the injury.

 

“I bumped into it slightly.”

 

Slightly?

 

Edwin’s eyebrows shot up. Looking at the bruise, there was no way she had bumped into it ‘slightly.’ However, he didn’t press her on that point and asked another question instead.

 

“Where?”

 

“Over there, at the table…”

 

Alice carefully pointed to the table in the room. The table was slightly out of the angle it had been in when he saw it before. Even at Alice’s claim that she had fallen on her own, Edwin got the impression that she was hiding something from her face.

 

“It’s not that someone pushed you.”

 

“There’s only me and Ena; who would push me… haha.”

 

Someone did startle her, though. Alice, lying for the sake of the timid spirit, tried her best not to look at the spirit stone.

 

Edwin pointed into the room and said:

 

“It felt as though someone else was here.”

 

“My room is cozy, like someone else is here. The maids really did a good job with the interior, didn’t they? Hehe.”

 

Alice, speaking with a smile, didn’t know why she was making excuses to this extent, but she felt as though something terrible would happen if she didn’t.

 

‘He really is scary…’

 

All the while she was deceiving the sharp-witted Edwin, she felt like she was walking a tightrope over a cliff.

 

“I see.”

 

Edwin’s gaze, which had seemed to fall for her lie, was now fixed on the bed.

 

“Excuse me for a moment, Alice.”

 

“Ed!”

 

The panicked Alice flailed her arms to try and stop him, but he was faster. Before she knew it, he was holding the spirit stone in his hand. He had noticed the difference between the current spirit stone and the previous one.

 

‘The aura has returned.’

 

Unlike when he had held it last time, a powerful energy was surging within. As Edwin stared intently at the spirit stone, Alice approached him, unable to hide her anxiety.

 

“Ed, don’t do that, give the stone back to me…”

 

However, her words were cut short. Alice was startled by a child’s sudden scream.

 

“Aaaah! Human! Save me!”

 

While Edwin faltered at the spirit suddenly returning to human form, the spirit took the opportunity to hide behind Alice’s back.

 

“…What is that?”

 

Edwin raised an eyebrow as he saw the spirit transformed into human form.

 

“That’s… the spirit.”

 

Now that everything had been revealed, what was there to hide? Alice spoke honestly.

 

“The spirit?”

 

Edwin’s gaze, which had been fixed on the spirit, moved to her leg.

 

“Then is that leg your doing as well?”

 

He was asking the spirit, not Alice. The trembling spirit said: “I-it wasn’t me who pushed her! Although I was the one who startled her…”

 

“So it was your doing that made her fall, after all.”

 

The situation was turning serious over something minor. To mediate with Edwin, Alice hurriedly spoke up.

 

“I was the one who fell, so don’t worry too much about it, Ed.”

 

To change the freezing atmosphere, Alice switched the subject while stroking the head of the spirit behind her.

 

“Isn’t it amazing? I never knew a spirit could transform into human form.”

 

Alice said, pulling and stretching the spirit’s cheek. It was still amazing that he felt like a human. Since it was her first time seeing a race other than humans, Alice couldn’t stop her gaze from being drawn to the spirit. She added as if muttering: “He really feels warm like a person, and he’s breathing.”

 

A smile appeared on Edwin’s lips.

 

“Is that so? I wonder if he feels pain as well.”

 

However, the look Edwin gave the spirit was still fiercely sharp.

 

“…”

 

Alice gave an awkward laugh at his words and looked at the trembling spirit in her hands. It was a sight that almost looked pitiful. She thought it was a bit harsh for the price of startling her, but on the other hand, she was curious if the spirit felt pain. Alice pinched the spirit’s cheek slightly once more. But the spirit showed no reaction.

 

‘But why is he so scared?’

 

It was strange that he was so terrified by Edwin’s words when he couldn’t even feel pain. However, the moment she looked at Edwin again, she understood why the spirit was like that. In his sharp gaze that felt as though it could cut anything it touched, a cold flame was constantly rising. No person—though the spirit wasn’t a person—could remain calm after seeing that gaze. In particular, his current stare at the spirit was exceptionally fierce.

 

Alice sensed that she had to mediate this situation.

 

“I’m really okay, look. I can move my leg just fine!”

 

Alice hopped in place to try and ease his anger. Then he spoke slowly.

 

“…That’s a relief.”

 

He was speaking while looking at her, but Alice was certain that the one for whom it was truly a relief was the spirit, not Edwin. The spirit seemed to think so too, as the grip he had on her sleeve loosened slightly.

 

“A bruise like this will probably disappear in a day or two.”

 

Alice spoke with a deliberate, light smile. She only hoped the atmosphere would ease a little with this. Edwin’s eyes, which had been watching her as if she were cute, narrowed into a crescent. It was a captivating smile.

 

“If this bruise doesn’t disappear, would it be alright if I took the spirit’s life as payment?”

 

Hieek!

 

She heard the sound of the spirit behind her gasping at Edwin’s words. Alice replied with a troubled face.

 

“No…”

 

She didn’t know why he acted so extremely when it came to anything related to her. Alice recalled the story she had just heard from the spirit. ‘So Edwin must have made an outrageous plan.’

 

Thinking of the spirit’s story, Alice looked at Edwin. If she hadn’t been the Emperor’s biological daughter, and if the ability test had come out wrong… the people in the temple wouldn’t have escaped death. Not a single person, without exception.

 

‘Because that’s Edwin’s way of handling things.’

 

The imperial family members were also involved in the matter of the Sanctuary, but the reason they weren’t killed by Edwin was simply to leave a force that would support her throne. Life and death—human lives—were strictly determined by necessity.

 

She came to a judgment. He had a few problems. Actually, not just a few, but a lot. So she had to address this issue now.

 

“Ed, can you do me a favor?”

 

At her words, Edwin’s gaze looked directly into her blue eyes. In the past, she would have been busy avoiding Edwin’s gaze for fear of that bloodlust. But now, she didn’t look away. Perhaps it was because she knew his blade would never be turned toward her, or perhaps it was because she had come to know his deep feelings. Maybe both were true.

 

Edwin stared intently at Alice’s gaze, which didn’t avoid his eyes. Whenever those clear blue eyes, which seemed to hold the sky, touched him, his unpleasant mood vanished like melting snow. Soon, a careful tone flowed from Alice’s small lips.

 

“Can’t you just let minor things like this go?”

 

Edwin also understood that her words meant not to take a life for a ‘minor thing’ that happened to her. At Alice’s request, Edwin raised an eyebrow.

 

“What if Alice were to be in danger because of it?”

 

“That’s…”

 

Being in danger because of this?

 

Before she could argue that such a thing was impossible, it had been Edwin who had frequently saved her from nearly falling into danger. Alice shut her mouth with a face that had run out of things to say. Then he spoke.

 

“I almost lost Alice at the Sanctuary too.”

 

His eyes flickered as if he were angry, but she realized that he wasn’t simply feeling rage.

 

‘Is he going to cry like this?’

 

She did want to see Edwin cry, but… if things worsened because of this, it would only be harder to manage, so Alice thought hurriedly.

 

“If Alice isn’t here, there is no value in this world existing.”

 

At Edwin’s following words, Alice’s deliberation didn’t last long. There was a very easy solution. A very good way to resolve things peacefully, without anyone dying. As soon as the thought crossed her mind, Alice spoke immediately.

 

“Then, will you stay by my side and protect me, Ed?”

 

If he were right by her side, there would be no way her life would be in danger, right? Alice reached a very simple conclusion.

 

“…”

 

However, as Edwin’s gaze changed strangely, Alice ruminated on the words she had just uttered. She realized it was practically a confession.

 

‘What is this?’

 

Alice’s face turned as red as a tomato in an instant. Just a moment ago, she had been meeting his gaze confidently, but now she was once again busy avoiding it. Thus, she didn’t notice the satisfied smile that crossed his lips.

 

“But Alice, to do that…”

 

Edwin, assuming a serious expression again, drew closer to her. Alice felt like running away from his gaze out of embarrassment. However, despite it being a large room, she felt as though she were in the palm of his hand. Ultimately captured by his gaze and unable to move an inch, she just kept her lips tightly shut and cast her eyes down.

 

Looking at her, he said: “We shouldn’t be separated by even an inch; will that be alright?”

 

At his persistent gaze, which seemed to say he wouldn’t back down until he heard an answer, Alice realized she could no longer delay her response.

 

“…Yes.”

 

Her golden eyelashes, lowered, trembled with shyness. Seeing the small sky contained within, Edwin tasted ecstasy.

 

 

***

 

 

“Human! You’re not actually believing that promise, are you!”

 

After Edwin had returned, the spirit, who had been late to fume, shouted while pointing a finger. But for Alice, that wasn’t the problem.

 

“At least you didn’t die, so it’s fine!” Alice shouted back.

 

The spirit’s yelling wasn’t the main issue. The bigger problem was that she felt like she was going to die of embarrassment right now.

 

“Aaaaagh!”

 

Alice stood up, kicking the blanket. At that, the spirit, who had been sitting on top of it grumbling, tumbled to the floor with a crashing sound.

 

“What are you doing! Human, you’re weird! Are you sick somewhere?”

 

The spirit, who couldn’t feel pain, just stared at her suspiciously with wide eyes.

 

‘How did the conversation end up going like that!’

 

It was because Edwin kept talking while assuming situations where she was in danger. Yes! It wasn’t her fault the conversation had gone that way! Alice reached a conclusion.

 

However, Edwin was likely now packing his things to stay in the Crown Princess’ Palace because of her words.

 

“Go back into the stone, quickly!”

 

Alice took her anger out on the innocent spirit. It was because he had suddenly turned into a human that this mess had happened!

 

“If you don’t turn back into a stone, I’m going to leave you with Edwin right now.”

 

As soon as she said that, the spirit returned to being a spirit stone. In the room that had become quiet again, Alice sighed and pulled the bell cord. Ena entered soon after.

 

“Milady, what are you thinking about so deeply?”

 

“Edwin is going to move into the palace tomorrow.”

 

“Pardon? He’s back already?” Ena opened her mouth in surprise. “But what about it? He’s someone who comes every day anyway.”

 

Ena looked at Alice as if she were stating something obvious. Just as Ena said, Edwin came to the palace every morning to check if she was doing well. But this time was different.

 

“That’s not it…”

 

She wasn’t a traffic light, so she didn’t know why red lights were turning on so frequently on her face. Opening her mouth, Alice lamented inwardly at her burning face, even without looking.

 

“He’s going to move into the guest room inside the palace.”

 

Even as she spoke, she was already getting a headache thinking about what kind of rumors would spread. Now that it had come to this, it was only a matter of time before the news spread within the palace. She felt that among all the rumors related to her, this would be the only rumor Edwin would overlook.

 

“Whaaaat?! All of a sudden?”

 

Ena opened her mouth at the truly unexpected news.

 

“Don’t tell me that’s what you were thinking about when you said you wanted to think alone?”

 

Before Alice could even deny it, Ena clapped her hands. A broad smile appeared on her lips. Alice felt her smile was ominous.

 

“You’ll invite me to the wedding too, right?”

 

‘Ah, I told you it’s really not like that.’