TMM 11

“Which brings me to a question,” Joshua continued. “You and I are engaged. For that reason, whenever I had the time, I made a point of visiting your family estate so that we might meet more often. Yet each time, it was Mariabelle who came out to greet me, and you were never there. This was despite the fact that I always sent advance notice. Why is that?”

Alicia stared at him in astonishment.

“Y-Your Highness… have you truly been visiting our house that often? I knew nothing of it.”

Joshua’s expression darkened.

“That is impossible. I always sent notice ahead. I was told that you were unwell and confined to bed every time.”

So it was Deborah’s doing.

A sharp pain clenched Alicia’s chest.

“Then… when was the most recent visit?”

“I make it a rule to go to the Wellston estate once a month, on Sundays. I have made an effort, and yet you—what exactly are you thinking?”

Irritation crept into Joshua’s voice.

“Your Highness, I do not return home on Sundays. I remain at the dormitory.”

“That is absurd. I confirmed it with Lord Wellston and Mariabelle.”

(He calls me ‘Lady Alicia,’ yet Mariabelle he calls by name alone. I see… they were deceiving me as a family. Just like in the dream. It has already begun…)

The thought sent a chill through her.

And yet, part of her still resisted the idea of believing in a mirror that revealed the future.

“Then Your Highness does not believe what I say?”

A rare note of bitterness slipped from Alicia’s lips.

“You expect me to believe that your father, your mother, and Mariabelle all lied? That is unreasonable.”

“…Why?”

His firm tone made Alicia feel as though her chest might tear apart.

“It is not rational.”

“That is not the question. Why will you not believe me, Your Highness?”

To that, Joshua gave a clear answer.

“Because we have not built that level of trust. Naturally.”

“Naturally… I see.”

She was glad she understood it now.

Though regret lingered, Alicia’s first love came quietly to an end.

Silence settled heavily over the carriage.

They arrived at the orphanage.

Alicia affixed a courteous smile to her face and took Joshua’s hand as she stepped down from the carriage.

Joshua’s expression scarcely changed, so it fell to Alicia to be gracious.

Cheers erupted from the children.

Alicia smiled warmly in response and waved. Afterward came the director’s explanation, followed by the children’s song.

As they were about to leave, a small boy ran toward them.

A guard hurried to stop him, rather roughly, and the child fell to the ground.

Without thinking, Alicia reached out her hand.

“Are you all right? Did you hurt yourself?”

She heard a guard click his tongue in irritation, but she ignored it.

“I’m fine! Princess, you’re really pretty! The prettiest I’ve ever seen!”

Alicia felt her chest tighten.

No one had ever said such words to her before.

“Thank you. That makes me very happy.”

She smiled brightly and gently patted the boy’s soft hair.

The return journey passed in silence once more, yet Alicia found she did not mind.

The boy’s innocent words had brought her unexpected comfort.

If she became crown princess, perhaps she could do something for children like him.

And yet—even if she did not become crown princess—perhaps she could still do something.

“Alicia.”

Joshua spoke again, and this time she braced herself. She did not wish to be hurt any further.

“You are my fiancée. I want you to convince me to trust you.”

“Does that mean… you want me to prove my sincerity?”

His words today did nothing but bewilder her.

“Yes. We used to dine together in the cafeteria once a week. But you stopped coming. Because of that, people believe I favor Mariabelle. Could you not help dispel that misunderstanding?”

At this, Alicia nearly laughed.

No—she let out a small, unintended chuckle.

It was all so trivial, so painful, so hollow.

“What is so amusing?”

“From my perspective as well, Your Highness appears quite fond of Mariabelle.”