Cecilia and Alice got off the public carriage, stepping onto a busy main street.

The male student who helped them catch the carriage waved goodbye to Alice, repeatedly saying “Please take care” as he walked away.

During the ride, the student had briefly introduced himself. He was one of the commoner students admitted to the academy on scholarship.

He had entered with excellent grades and a full scholarship, but was now feeling resigned due to discrimination and violence from noble-born students.

‘That’s when Cecilia stepped forward first. She suggested we report this together. I… I couldn’t even think of doing that.’

The red book in the small bag. Was it always this heavy? Alice clutched the bag tightly to her chest, feeling its substantial weight.

“Were you on your way back from an outing?”

“I was on my way back from visiting my father in the prison tower. He had a scheduled visitation.”

Perhaps it was thanks to the influence of Liwena and the family elders. Despite being charged with treason, visits from the Rozen people were readily permitted.

While mulling over the conversation she had with her father, Cecilia noticed that Alice seemed continuously dejected.

The fact that she was going around dressed as a man likely meant there was some circumstance behind it.

Cecilia recalled the blatant discrimination against female students openly practiced at the military academy.

There were even professors who openly rebuked them, saying things like “You’ll never make it into the Imperial Guard anyway, so don’t even think about discouraging the other students. Just stick to serving tea to the high-ranking officers.”

No one in the world listens to stories of women who cross the line. Those who challenge become “aggressive women”, while those who succeed become “vicious women”.

Perhaps Alice’s reason for going out as Allen was similar. Cecilia smiled at Alice, conveying that it was alright.

“If it’s about ‘Allen’, it’s fine. Thanks to that, we were able to find the newspaper office. If we hadn’t met Allen and been rejected everywhere… I might have given up in despair, thinking no one would listen to our story.”

Those who have experienced the same frustration tend to understand each other. Alice held back the tears that were starting to form and changed the subject.

“…Jake’s newspaper office is in an uproar because of Tamiel’s death, so it’s awkward to visit now. If we had published the article then, it might have been buried by Tamiel’s incident.”

“Ah, I heard the news. It was quite a gruesome end.”

“Honestly… it’s a fitting end for that bastard.”

“I agree.”

They both felt relieved at the same time. Even though the family elders had managed to block it, they had always been anxious, not knowing when Tamiel’s terror might sweep through the prison tower again.

Whoever had done that to Tamiel was practically a benefactor.

“They should be safe for a while. Father, and the people of Rozen…”

Cecilia trailed off as she looked for a suitable place.

They couldn’t enter the tea room where the nobles gathered. If a female student entered wearing the academy uniform, she would undoubtedly draw everyone’s attention. Moreover, Alice was dressed as a commoner woman. They would be refused at the entrance.

As Alice looked around, turning her head this way and that, a building caught her eye.

‘Hotel Wenley.’

The figure of Marsha, whom she had met here before, suddenly flashed through her mind. Perhaps that person would welcome them without prejudice.

And a hotel would be freely visited not only by nobles but also by well-off commoners. It seemed like quite an appropriate place to blend in naturally during the day.

“Cecilia. How about that place?”

“Sounds good. I hope we won’t be turned away.”

In front of the lobby decorated with white marble, a familiar figure appeared. Marsha was talking to an employee in front of the lobby when she suddenly turned her gaze.

“Oh my, you look familiar. Perhaps we’ve met before?”

“Ah… yes. Maybe.”

Of course they had met before, when she was Allen. But to be suspected so easily. A bead of sweat trickled down Alice’s spine. There was certainty in Marsha’s questioning tone. She was indeed no ordinary person.

“Welcome. I’m Marsha Wenley, the owner of Hotel Wenley. Seeing such lovely ladies visit in broad daylight, I suppose you’ve come to spend some pleasant time together?”

Marsha winked. Despite her cheerful attitude, Cecilia responded with a slightly furrowed brow.

Though she was smiling brightly, the sharpness hidden in that smile was enough to trigger Cecilia’s instincts. Instead, it was Alice whose face turned red as she began to stammer.

“P-pleasant time?”

“When women get together to chat, isn’t that a pleasant time? What else could there be? Would you prefer a private room, or an open and lively space?”

“The latter, please.”

“I like how you’re decisive and straightforward. I have just the right place.”

Marsha immediately led the two to a café located on the first floor. The café, which had apparently opened recently, was moderately busy with people.

“So, is this a suitable place?”

“…I don’t see many nobles.”

“Hotel Wenley’s café doesn’t discriminate against its visitors. After all, I’m a commoner myself.”

Marsha’s last words somehow sounded melancholic.

Most people who visited the hotel wanted to befriend Marsha. More accurately, they probably wanted to get closer to the ‘money’ she held in her hands.

But even that was often dismissed by nobles as “vulgar money earned by a commoner’s desperate efforts.”

What’s the difference between those born with wealth, power, and fame from the start, and those who have fought tooth and nail to achieve wealth?

“That’s why there aren’t many nobles in the café. Maybe one or two tables? But everyone spends a relaxed time here without standing on ceremony. Sometimes heated discussions break out.”

As Marsha continued speaking, she led them to a space with planters and lace partitions. It was the perfect spot to blend in with the moderately bustling café.

“Let’s start the important conversation after taking a sip. Since we’re in a café, coffee would be the natural first order, right?”

The drink wasn’t that important. Any liquid would do as long as it could moisten their dry throats occasionally. Alice and Cecilia nodded simultaneously.

After taking their order herself, Marsha disappeared behind the partition. Alice opened her mouth to begin the conversation that had been tickling her.

“Well, let me start with the introduction. I’ve been accepted as a lady-in-waiting to Her Majesty the Empress.”

“So you’re entering the Empress’s Palace! That’s wonderful. Congratulations!”

Sincere joy filled Cecilia’s eyes. Alice felt a bit shy and scratched her cheek unnecessarily.

“It’s an extension of what I wanted to do… I’m nervous, but more excited. I’m glad I could meet you, Miss Cecilia, before entering the palace.”

Fortunately, the coffee arrived before she could bring up the most important topic. Marsha brought the coffee herself and further obscured their presence with the partition. This should be enough to prevent anyone nearby from recognizing them. She left with a bright smile.

Alice took out the book she had been clutching in her bag and handed it to Cecilia.

“I took the liberty of turning it into a book. I thought it might be discovered if I kept the evidence as it was…”

It was so perfectly disguised that no one would ever guess it was evidence just by looking at it. Cecilia picked up the book and flipped through it page by page, rechecking the contents.

“I’ll take that evidence with me too. And… I plan to show it to Her Majesty the Empress.”

If not the Emperor, at least the Empress would be someone who might reconsider such issues. Cecilia closed the book containing the evidence with trembling hands. Alice wrapped her cold hands around the coffee cup to warm them.

“Your opinion is the most important, Miss Cecilia. You might not want it to be revealed, and your father might be put in danger again.”

With Tamiel dead, they had earned a very brief reprieve. Cecilia clearly remembered the abuse hurled at her when she entered the mansion carrying a copy of the evidence.

‘We took you in as an adopted daughter out of pity, but I guess you can’t change your lowly blood!’

Who ever begged to be pitied? Cecilia endured the insults thrown by the elders with her head bowed. Even in that situation, Liwena remained silent, turning her back on her own daughter.

Her mother’s avoidance and silence soon became a wound. It was Cecilia’s burden to bear that pain alone.

And then she met her father in the prison tower. The father she met after what felt like ages looked much thinner, but his eyes were full of life.

‘I’m sorry, Cecilia.’

‘I haven’t even started talking yet.’

‘About pretending not to know you last time…’

‘I understand why you did it.’

She hadn’t grown up in vain to the point of not understanding that much. Because sometimes love can be painful. Cecilia took Paulo’s hand resting on the iron bars.

Rough hands that must have weathered sea winds since birth. Sturdy hands that were part of Cecilia, and part of her conscience.

‘Father… how should I live? I’m getting a bit tired.’

Perhaps it was because she was seeing her father’s face after so long. Weak words flowed out involuntarily. Before she knew it, her forehead was touching the cold iron bars.

She had always endured and held back at the Icastel mansion. When Jinn was by her side, she could at least indulge in a bit of childishness, but after entering the military academy, even that became impossible.

‘I’m worried that the people here by my choice might suffer again, that the situation in Rozen might worsen…’

‘Cecilia. Don’t worry about me, live according to your own will.’

As soon as she heard Paulo’s voice, the iron bars her forehead was resting on became hot. He reached out and patted his daughter’s shoulder.

There was something her father always emphasized.

That a merchant should be all the more honest. That it’s enough for us to lie only to the extent of saying, “We’re not making any profit at this price.”

‘If you cheat others and turn your back on injustice, that would upset me more. I always believe in you. My beloved daughter.’

‘Our daughter, that sounds nice. Honestly, we all raised Cecilia together.’

‘They say it takes a village to raise a child, and that saying is absolutely right.’

Everyone in the prison laughed at that. Even the Grand Duke of Le Rozen, leaning against the wall and quietly watching the father-daughter reunion, smiled faintly.

Cecilia was the daughter of everyone raised by the sea breeze and waves. On her birthday, the employees of Lanford Trading Company and the people of the port town wore out the threshold of Paulo’s house.

The acrid smell of thin candles burning on the cake. And the endless birthday song. Beloved Cecilia, happy birthday.

Love makes people grow. It gives them the strength to endure in the face of hardships and adversities.

Cecilia, who had grown with the love they shared, decided to stand up again.

“Um, Cecilia…?”

Cecilia was suddenly sobbing. She was busy wiping away falling tears with one hand while clutching the book with the other.

Alice, who had been hesitating for a moment, moved closer to Cecilia’s side. As if prepared, there was a small folded handkerchief on the table. Alice picked up the handkerchief and slowly wiped Cecilia’s eyes.

After crying for a while, Cecilia voiced her heavy decision.

“I’ll do it, Miss Alice. Please… show that evidence to Her Majesty the Empress.”

**

On the day Alice was to enter the Empress’s Palace, a noisy commotion broke out in the Consort’s Palace.

The night before, the Emperor had suddenly visited and spent the night, leaving Selina in high spirits.

The maids and servants of the Consort’s Palace breathed a sigh of relief. Recently, the Consort had become irritable, and they had to endure all sorts of complaints, causing no small amount of trouble.

But today, what could be the reason? The maids couldn’t hide their dismay.

The floor was covered with the remnants of shattered teacups and spilled tea. Selina, unable to control her anger, shouted at the lined-up maids.

“Summon my father to the palace, right now!”

“Y-yes, Your Highness the Consort.”

The maids hurried out of the room with appalled expressions.

While they had noticed the Consort had been quite sensitive lately, they hadn’t expected her to go as far as smashing teacups on the table.

They left the cleanup to the servants and quickly escaped the corridor with shocked expressions.

“How could Father… think of sending sister to Her Majesty the Empress?”

Selina trembled with rising feelings of betrayal at the thought of her sister Alice, whom she had assumed would naturally be on her side, entering the Empress’s Palace as a lady-in-waiting.

Shortly after, Count Diobe rushed into the Consort’s Palace, out of breath. Selina approached her father with an extremely angry expression, taking large strides.

“Father, no, Count Diobe. Please tell me without a shred of lie. Did you permit Miss Alice le Diobe to be sent as a lady-in-waiting to the Empress’s Palace?”

He had tried to keep it a secret until the very end, but word had already spread. As Count Diobe stammered, trying to choose his words, Selina’s eyes narrowed with suspicion.

“Don’t tell me… Did Her Majesty the Empress suggest it?”

“Well… that’s correct. Her Majesty the Empress suggested it first.”

Selina’s father, Count Diobe, bowed his head and barely managed to answer in a shrinking voice.