Alicia received a letter from her grandparents at the dormitory.
It was an invitation: if she had nowhere to go for summer recess, she should come to them.
They also wrote that they had books enough for her to study magic properly.
Alicia decided to accept their kindness.
She gathered her few belongings and left the dormitory alone.
Her parents were indifferent to her, and she had learned that the dormitory matron would file false reports to the crown prince.
So Alicia told no one.
In any case, even if she remained at the dormitory, everyone would insist she had gone home. It hardly mattered.
In less than half a day by carriage from the capital, she reached the County of Volt.
It was a coastal domain—scenic and bright, swept by sea winds.
Now she could understand why Thomas coveted it.
But Edward had said he would never yield it to him.
On a gentle hill rising from the shoreline stood a castle, gleaming white beneath the sky.
When Alicia gave her name at the gate and showed Edward’s letter, she was admitted at once.
Barbara welcomed her warmly.
As they were having tea, Edward arrived not long after. He gave only a brief greeting before leading Alicia straight to the library.
“Look at it, Alicia. Impressive, isn’t it? Our line has produced graduates of the magic department for generations. Jessica, too—great expectations were placed upon her…”
A shadow fell over Edward’s eyes.
Alicia could find no words.
He had lost his most beloved daughter.
If Jessica had lived, what sort of life would Alicia be living now?
Alicia had almost no memories of her mother.
Jessica had been bedridden, shut away in her room.
(I have no memories with Mother…)
Alicia was given a room on the third floor of the castle.
Before her stretched the town, and beyond it the glittering sea. The view alone made her spirits lift.
This place was nothing like the heavy, brittle atmosphere of her family home. Here, everything felt open.
After she unpacked and took a moment to breathe, she shared dinner with her grandparents.
She had not realized how soothing it could be to eat with others in such calm company.
During tea afterward, Barbara leaned close and whispered,
“Edward, you know… he was looking forward to your coming. You’re the very image of Jessica.”
At the mention of her mother, a chill ran up Alicia’s spine.
(No. I won’t perish for love. Mother was deceived from the beginning—betrayed by Father.)
The thought made her feel both bitter and restless.
And Alicia suspected her grandparents did not know the truth—that she and Mariabelle were the same age, and that Mariabelle was not Deborah’s child from another man, but Thomas’s own daughter.
The next morning, Alicia spent tea with Barbara.
When Alicia said she wished to begin studying at once, Barbara blinked in surprise.
“You’ve only just arrived. Shouldn’t you rest a little?”
“Thank you. But I’ve already unpacked, and there’s nothing left but to begin. I truly am grateful. I intend to make my way as an alchemist.”
“I see…”
Alicia caught a trace of pity in Barbara’s gaze.
After some harmless conversation, she returned to the room she had been given.
Her chamber was splendid—nothing like the narrow, sunless room at her family home. Even the maids here were kind. It was all so comfortable that it made her chest ache.
“I’m glad… I came here.”
Alicia shut herself away in the library and began studying immediately.
Just as Edward had written, the shelves were lined with enough books to prepare her for the transfer examination into the magic department, and the sight filled her with joy.
She loved learning.
Before, study had been her means of escape.
Now it was different.
Now she was studying for her own future.
At that time, Alicia had no doubt her engagement would be dissolved.
Three weeks before the academy term began, the transfer examination for the magic department was held.
Alicia returned to the dormitory as if nothing had happened.
As expected, no commotion awaited her.
No one would notice if Alicia vanished for a month or two.
It felt lonely, and yet—strangely—refreshing.
She sat the examination.
There were students from other schools and even foreign exchange students, but among those transferring from the general course, Alicia alone was taking it.
That, too, eased her mind. No rumors would spread.
Even if Alicia did transfer into the magic department, Joshua likely would not notice.
Though the queen might learn of it early on—and that thought weighed on her slightly.
Alicia only wanted freedom, as soon as possible.
The results would be announced one week later.
In the meantime, with nothing else to do, Alicia spent her days studying and reading in the library.
At last, the day of the announcement arrived.
The notice would be delivered to the dormitory.
Alicia waited in the dormitory entrance, pacing restlessly.
She was confident—yet when the letter finally came, her hands trembled.
This would decide her fate.
When she saw the word “Accepted,” tears of relief and joy spilled down her cheeks.
