Because this year marked Mariabelle’s debut, the entire family was required to attend the royal ball at the palace.
On the day of the ball, Alicia returned to her family home, dressed in an out-of-fashion gown and fully prepared herself. Compared to Mariabelle’s dazzling appearance, the difference was painfully stark.
Carrying a mixture of melancholy and tension, Alicia rode with her family to the palace.
She had a plan for this evening. It was a strategy she had arrived at after days of agonizing thought.
If that mirror truly revealed the future, then Alicia’s life would end in roughly three years’ time.
(If there is a way to resist it…)
At the palace entrance, Joshua appeared to escort her.
Mariabelle rushed toward him first, but Queen Elisabeth gently admonished her, and she withdrew.
This was not because the queen was defending Alicia. It was simply a matter of appearances.
Alicia had occasionally received instruction directly from the queen, who had always told her sternly that only a perfect lady was fit to stand at Joshua’s side.
Queen Elisabeth was not originally from this country. She had been a princess of the western neighboring kingdom, Radolce, and had married into this land as a symbol of alliance. It was said that she herself had struggled greatly with queenly education upon arriving here, which was why she was particularly severe with Alicia.
Alicia had never once been regarded by the queen with warmth.
As proof, the queen leaned close and whispered sharply,
“You lack dignity. That is why people look down on you. You set a poor example for those beneath you. Correct yourself at once. There are countless young women who wish to become crown princess.”
The reprimand was harsh.
Painful as it was, Alicia could not deny the truth in those words.
Even so, she summoned the smile she had learned through years of queenly training and entered the ballroom on Joshua’s arm.
As expected, guests approached one after another to offer their formal greetings. Even Lily, who usually mocked Alicia at the academy, behaved herself tonight, likely because the queen stood nearby.
After the king’s address concluded, the orchestra began to play.
The first dance was meant to be with Joshua.
At that moment, Mariabelle approached.
“Prince Joshua, today is my debut. Please, dance with me!”
She looked up at him with a bright, innocent smile, pleading openly.
Even Joshua seemed mindful of appearances this time.
“After I dance with Alicia,” he said, gently reproaching her.
“To think you are looked down upon even by your stepsister. At this rate, you are hardly fit to be crown princess.”
Hiding her mouth behind a sharply opened fan, the queen once again whispered into Alicia’s ear.
“Yes. I apologize.”
Ordinarily, Alicia would have followed that with a heartfelt promise to improve and begged forgiveness.
But this time, the words would not come.
No one truly wanted her to be Joshua’s fiancée. Alicia understood that better than anyone.
Growing impatient, the queen pressed on.
“So? Do you intend to make an effort from here on? If not, I must say you are unqualified.”
Alicia was startled.
Never before had the queen spoken so plainly.
It seemed she truly wished to dissolve this engagement as soon as possible.
(If the queen were to end it with a single word… would I be spared death? Was I executed because I clung to this position?)
It felt as though her eyes had been opened.
“If that is Her Majesty’s judgment, then I will humbly accept—”
Before she could finish, Joshua suddenly pulled her hand.
“The dance is beginning. Mother, I will be taking Alicia now.”
Alicia was taken aback.
Joshua, expression unchanged, led her onto the floor and began to dance, fulfilling his duty with mechanical precision.
For a moment, she thought he was protecting her. But she quickly realized the truth.
All eyes were on them. The crown prince and his fiancée standing idle while the queen scolded her would have drawn far too much attention.
As soon as the dance ended, debutantes swarmed Joshua.
Alicia was jostled and nearly fell.
Someone caught her.
“Are you all right, Lady Wellston?”
“…Thank you.”
The instant she looked up, her expression froze.
“Samuel. Samuel Rosner.”
Of course she remembered him. The second son of the Duke of Rosner.
“Yes, Lord Rosner. I apologize for the unseemly display.”
“There are rather discourteous people here, it seems.”
His tone was gentle, nothing like Joshua’s rigid manner. He seemed easy to speak with.
Refined features and a friendly smile.
(In the world shown by the mirror, he was utterly unreachable…)
“Perhaps it is because I lack dignity,” Alicia said softly, recalling the queen’s words.
For some reason, she felt lighter.
(Unqualified… If I do not cling to it, perhaps it will all end.)
“Then, Lady Wellston, would you care to dance with me?”
She was stunned. It was the first time anyone besides Joshua had invited her to dance, and from Samuel no less.
(Is he taking pity on me?)
He had already extended his hand. There was no room to refuse.
And strangely enough, the queen’s words, which should have wounded her, had eased her heart instead.
Taking Samuel’s hand, Alicia allowed him to lead her into the circle of dancers.
It was her first time dancing with a man other than Joshua.
(To dance, one after another, with those who will one day condemn me… Something is wrong with me tonight. Perhaps it is because of that plan. My emotions keep rising and falling.)
She followed the light rhythm of the orchestra.
“As expected of the future crown princess. You dance beautifully.”
“Thank you.”
It was the first time her dancing had ever been praised, and she felt her cheeks warm.
The dance that had felt endless with Joshua passed in the blink of an eye with Samuel.
Perhaps it was because he never stopped smiling.
“Sam, will you dance with me next?”
The moment she heard that syrupy voice, it felt as though she had awakened from a dream.
