Before the long summer recess came to an end, Alicia was summoned to the royal palace as part of her queen-consort training.
However, there was little left for her to learn. Everything had already been drilled into her.
Perhaps they intended to question her about the transfer to the magic department.
(I can only hope Grandfather has handled things properly.)
When she arrived at the palace garden, tea had already been set.
Alicia waited alone for the queen’s arrival.
The scent of roses drifted on the air, yet it did nothing to soothe her heart.
When she was summoned like this, it was usually to be lectured on the duties of a crown princess, or subjected to severe reproaches.
As she waited in low spirits, the queen appeared, and Alicia rose to greet her.
Then she noticed, to her surprise, that Mariabelle was accompanying her.
(Why is Mariabelle here?)
Her eyes widened.
The two approached, conversing amiably.
It was the first time Alicia had ever seen such a gentle expression on the queen’s face.
Ignoring Alicia’s greeting, the queen seated Mariabelle first.
“How long do you intend to stand there? Alicia, sit down as well. Truly, you have no dignity at all.”
For a moment, it felt as though Deborah herself had possessed the queen.
Alicia forced an awkward smile and took her seat.
“Good day, Sister. I was so surprised—during summer recess you were studying all the time, weren’t you? And even though there’s still a whole week before the academy starts, you’ve already returned to the dormitory.”
Mariabelle spoke without a hint of restraint.
They had not met even once since the day of the ball. Alicia wondered how she could say such things with a straight face.
She recalled Fran’s words: That sort of stepsister must be hard to live with.
Yet both the dormitory matron and her family would insist Alicia had been at home all along.
Perhaps she need not feel guilty about disliking Mariabelle.
In truth, she had been staying with her grandparents—but she had no intention of telling Mariabelle that.
“It has been a while. You seem well,” Alicia said.
For an instant, Mariabelle’s face stiffened.
“It hasn’t been that long, has it?”
“Perhaps not. People perceive time differently.”
A sharp snap rang out as a fan struck the table, making Alicia flinch.
“Really, Alicia, you are hopeless. It seems you should learn proper social graces from Mariabelle.”
The queen cast Alicia a cold look.
(She dislikes me. Her Majesty has never once smiled at me.)
“Yes. I believe Mariabelle possesses excellent social skills.”
Both Mariabelle and the queen looked taken aback.
“Oh my, what’s gotten into you? Sister, you’ve never praised me before.”
When they were children, Alicia had praised Mariabelle often, hoping to be included in the family circle.
Mariabelle lied from time to time—usually to protect herself.
When an expensive teacup broke, it was always Alicia who took the blame.
Still, Mariabelle was the only member of the Wellston household who had never raised a hand against Alicia.
“Is that so? I thought I had praised you. It seems I truly am unsuited to social matters.”
“I don’t think that’s true. I’ll help you, in any way I can,” Mariabelle said earnestly.
“And how do you intend to help?”
“First, making friends at the academy! Let’s start by finding you female friends.”
Before Mariabelle came to the house, Alicia had friends—people she could call such.
Now, all of them belonged to Mariabelle.
“That sounds difficult. People don’t like me.”
Alicia answered lightly. Mariabelle smiled gently.
“That’s not true at all. You’re simply misunderstood. I want everyone to see your good points.”
The queen, meanwhile, looked exasperated.
“How astonishing. You show no willingness to make an effort whatsoever! Do you truly think you can serve as crown princess like this? You may be competent at studying, but as a person, you are utterly lacking. Learn from Mariabelle. Better yet, perhaps we should do as Lord Wellston suggests and make Mariabelle Joshua’s fiancée instead.”
The queen’s words were sharp and final—but Alicia’s heart did not waver.
From the moment Mariabelle appeared, she had sensed this was how it would end.
“Your Majesty, please don’t say such frightening things. I am poor at academics,” Mariabelle protested.
“In that case, how about this: Mariabelle will become the principal consort, handling diplomacy and society, while Alicia serves as a concubine and manages clerical affairs.”
In that instant, the queen—whom Alicia had merely found difficult until now—became someone she truly despised.
A fierce anger surged within her, unlike anything she had ever felt.
“Mother, please stop bullying Alicia. And the concubine system was abolished, was it not?”
So absorbed had they been that none of them noticed Joshua’s arrival.
The queen turned away. Mariabelle greeted Joshua with a bright smile.
“That’s right, Joshua. I wouldn’t like concubines either.”
Before Joshua could respond, the queen reacted sharply.
“Just a moment. What did you just call him? And saying you dislike concubines—are you speaking as though you were already crown princess?”
The queen glared at Mariabelle, her expression fearsome.
