Chapter Three: The Maid loves her Young Lady

The following day. Alice massaged her weary eyes and sat in front of the mirror to get her hair combed after being woken up by her maid Mary early in the morning. After all, Alice’s ringlets were quite the challenge to cope with.

“…Let’s just make it straight. This hairdo is inconvenient.”

“Please do not say that, Lady Alice. It would be a shame to ruin your lovely ringlets.”

“Really…”

As she looked in the mirror at Mary’s beaming reflection, Alice chuckled.

“…I’m still perplexed as to why His Majesty has summoned me.”

“It’s respectable if you’re truly saying it, Lady Alice.”

“…I’m kidding. I know why.”

Alice had been summoned to the royal castle early in the morning. 

It’s probably because of yesterday.

“Perhaps I’ll be beheaded?”

“They will be unable to do so. Even as a joke, they wouldn’t be able to punish the sole daughter of the Grand Duke Salvato family for a mere child’s fight.”

“…Isn’t that a rude way of putting it?”

“I do not think so. That arrogant brat dared to tell my cute Young Lady that Lili is better. For those words, he deserves death. Why don’t we simply call the engagement off? If you would like, I can propose it to the Lord.”

“…Can we really call it off?”

“Of course. First and foremost, it was His Majesty the King who proposed to the Lord. The Lord was very hesitant, so as long as you agree, Lady Alice, it can be easily called off.”

“…Really?”

“Of course. Since the Raji Empire’s defeat, the force that keeps the Smol Royal Family together has waned. The Royal Family cannot overlook the Salvato Family, who came out of the battle relatively undamaged. After all, the Salvato family has a sizable following. To be honest, there aren’t many advantages for the Salvato family in this marriage. The Lord will happily call it off.”

“…Then why did he accept it in the first place?”

“That’s because you, Lady Alice, started jumping up and down with delight as soon as you heard and said things like, ‘A marriage with Zeke?! Father! I want to marry Zeke!!!'”

“Good Lord…”

I guess this is what they mean when they say you reap what you sow. I remembered Mary’s and the other servants’ faces when I woke up this morning, but why can’t I remember anything about myself?

“…Rather, Lady Alice, I was astounded by your behavior yesterday. I never expected you to lash out at His Highness like that.”

“…I guess my selfish side just came out.”

“…”

“What?”

“Lady Alice, what do you mean when you say selfish side?”

“Huh? Aren’t I selfish? His Highness said so yesterday.”

“…Well, I suppose you’re a little selfish when it comes to His Highness… Every young girl in love, though, is like that. I believe it to be charming. It’s His Highness’ attitude toward you, Lady Alice, that’s peculiar. I have my doubts about his manhood.”

“…Mary, your disdain for His Majesty is obvious.”

“Of course it is! He dared utter such abusive words to my Young Lady. I would have stomped on the root of his masculinity if he hadn’t been a prince.”

“…Violence?!”

“Of course, and he even referred to you as selfish. Rather, Lady Alice, you are an open and honest person who freely expresses which things you consider to be good and which you consider to be bad. I believe you are far better equipped to be a king than that arrogant br… His Highness, I mean.”

“…Thank you very much. But, please, don’t go any further; else, it will be considered disrespectful.”

I see. So Alice was a person like this. I didn’t know because I didn’t have much information about her before. Wait? Does this imply that Alice is a kind person?

“So, at the end of the day, I’m not selfish, right?”

“You are.”

“This girl… She’s no good…”

So I’m selfish…? Am I or am I not? Just pick one already!

“However, they are usually matters like your desire to eat cake or your unwillingness to go to bed early, which is very normal for your age. Instead, if you say you want cake, Lady Alice, the chef in charge, will gladly provide it for you. Seeing your adorable self-gain weight… Even if you gain weight, Lady Alice, your attractiveness will not change significantly, although I wouldn’t say it would be a positive change.”

“…I’ll control myself from now on.”

“Please do that. There! Lady Alice, you are done?”

After giving Alice’s hair a final stroke and bowing, Mary said. Alice, on the other hand, turned around and bowed her head as well.

“Thank you, Mary.”

“No need for that, Lady Alice. It is my job.”

“Even so. So, how is it? Do I look cute?”

“To put it mildly, Lady Alice, you’re the best.”

“It’s all thanks to you, Mary. Well then, I’ll be on my way.”

“Stay safe!”

It’s not as if I’m going to battle… I suppose you could call this a battle. 

As she pondered, this Alice walked through the door that Mary had opened for her.

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