The second morning after the spring banquet began.

Literally, the capital was turned upside down by a rumor.

“Did you hear?”

“About the princess?”

“I heard our princess kicked out that terrifying Duke Diaz!”

“What nonsense have you been listening to, to say such things?”

“Is it not true?”

Shaking his head at his neighbor friend who had picked up some strange nonsense, the man conveyed the correct information.

“Listen carefully. It’s not that, but that our Princess has declared she will give up her unrequited love.”

“Huh? She didn’t kick him out?”

“How could she kick out someone she wasn’t even dating? Should I kick your behind instead?”

The speed at which the rumors spread from early morning, having heard about what happened the previous night from somewhere, was tremendous.

Some lamented the end of the princess’s foolish unrequited love, while others blessed her, saying she could meet someone better.

Because Alicia was beloved by the people of Eregron, all the stories passed from mouth to mouth were ones of comfort and blessing for her.

However, in the world of nobles, a slightly different rumor spread.

“Could it be that His Majesty is trying to completely push out Duke Diaz?”

“Don’t be stupid, it’s the Crown Prince who dislikes Duke Diaz.”

“No matter if it’s the Crown Prince, how could he move so rashly when His Majesty is present…”

“By the way, what happens to the Count Lewis family then?”

“What do you mean?”

“Since the princess has given up her feelings, doesn’t that mean Duke Diaz’s partner will be Lady Lewis?”

“I suppose so. Why?”

“Haven’t you heard the rumors that the son and daughter of Count Lewis have been fighting over the successor position for a while?”

Realizing that his friend, who had been away from the capital for a while and returned, was unfamiliar with the gossip of social circles, the noble man thumped his chest in frustration.

“No, listen. Now the possibility of Lady Lewis becoming Duke Diaz’s partner has increased, right?”

“So what about it?”

“Who do you think Count Lewis will support?”

“Huh? His son, of course?”

“Don’t be stupid. Do you think the lady will accept that quietly? She might use the power of the Duke Diaz family to snatch the successor position.”

“No matter…”

“I’m telling you, it’s true!”

Despite merely giving up on one’s feelings, the social circles were in an uproar.

Some predicted that the influence of the Duke Diaz family would decrease from now on, while others speculated that the successor competition in the Count Lewis family might end quickly with Killian’s help.

These were stories Alicia had never thought about.

“Now there’s even a rumor going around that the reason Your Highness gave up your feelings is because His Majesty wants to sell your marriage at a high price.”

Alicia laughed awkwardly at Mina’s words, who was grumbling as if she had heard something absurd.

After all, it wasn’t her father trying to sell her marriage at a high price, but Alicia herself.

“To think such an outrageous rumor is circulating… How will they bear His Majesty’s wrath?”

Emily, who briefly clicked her tongue, refilled Alicia’s empty cup.

Originally, this would have been the time to be in the midst of dressing up to attend a gathering after finishing a light breakfast.

However, Alicia, who had become the center of all sorts of rumors due to the aftermath of last night’s events, decided not to go out for the time being.

Of course, this was possible with the emperor’s permission.

“But Mina, why have you been looking so glum since earlier?”

“It’s nothing, Your Highness. Please don’t worry about it.”

“How can I not worry when a child who always smiles is looking so gloomy?”

“Sigh… She’s saying it’s a shame about the new dresses she had made.”

Emily, who let out a long sigh in place of Mina who was shaking her head as if it was nothing, answered.

Realizing why Mina had become depressed at her words, Alicia let out a small laugh.

“If you can’t wear them this time, you can wear them next time, can’t you?”

“But trends change so quickly…”

“And trends come back around too. Don’t worry.”

Isn’t that a really irresponsible and easy thing to say?

Alicia, who had been pondering for a moment when she had become able to give such answers, stretched out widely, thinking that it didn’t matter when it had happened.

“But Your Highness, are you really going to stay in your room until the end of the banquet?”

Mina asked again with a face that couldn’t shake off her upset feelings.

“Just until things calm down around us. Be patient for a little while, even if it’s frustrating.”

“No, I’m fine… Um, Your Highness. The hunting competition… No, nevermind!”

“Hm?”

It was unlike Mina to stop mid-sentence.

It wasn’t as if Emily had given her a separate signal…

Alicia, confirming that Emily was wearing the same expression as herself, called out to Mina who was hurriedly trying to leave the room.

“Mina.”

“I’m sorry, Your Highness. Can’t you just pretend you didn’t hear?”

“I’ve already heard it. Tell me. What is it?”

“Well, that…”

Alicia let out a small laugh after hearing Mina’s subsequent words.

If it’s typical of Mina, this was a very Mina-like reason.

Of course, Emily, who heard the same story, was angry, saying that as the princess’s dedicated maid, she wasn’t thinking straight, but to Alicia, it was a very cute reason.

“Your fiancé is participating in the hunting competition?”

“He got chosen in the lottery. He’s a man with not even this much luck, so how did he end up getting picked…”

“He wants you to cheer for him? And a deep hug if he wins?”

“That’s… yes…”

Although they usually bicker like siblings, I guess lovers are still lovers?

Seeing Mina’s face turn bright red and not knowing what to do with her fingertips, laughter naturally leaked out.

“A representative of the Imperial Guard… That’s impressive.”

“I told you it was a lottery, didn’t I? He’s not going alone, he’s one of five.”

“Still, impressive is impressive. Even if it was a lottery, if his skills were lacking, the guard captain wouldn’t have allowed it.”

“That’s… true.”

Alicia, who was watching Mina’s appearance of being embarrassed as if she herself had been praised, gestured to Emily.

Perhaps because it was Emily who actually raised the young Alicia?

Without speaking, Emily, who seemed to read Alicia’s mind like a ghost, opened the drawer of the bedside table and brought a small pouch.

After receiving it and examining its contents, Alicia held it out to Mina.

“Your Highness? What is this?”

“You’re going to meet your fiancé after a long time, aren’t you? Prepare something delicious and go cheer him on. Do you have clothes to wear?”

“I’ve prepared clothes in advance, but… Am I going alone?”

“I’m sorry.”

“No! Why is Your Highness apologizing! No!”

Realizing that what was in the pouch was gold coins, Mina quickly shook her head.

Although she had grown up without lack as the daughter of a count’s family, these were gold coins given by the master she served.

Knowing what kind of heart was contained in it, rather than it being money, Mina, who tightly gripped the pouch with both hands and bowed her head as if folding her waist in half, sobbed.

“While Your Highness can’t even go out, only I’m getting excited… I’m sorry.”

“No, it’s okay. Those who can enjoy should enjoy. I’m just worried that there’s no one who doesn’t know you’re my person.”

There probably won’t be any bold person who barges into Alicia’s room to ask about yesterday’s events, but there will certainly be those who catch Mina and interrogate her.

And of all places, at a hunting competition where all sorts of people will be gathered, Mina could potentially face a big disaster.

“Be careful when you go. If it seems dangerous, run to Sienna and shout for help.”

“Your Highness, Mina is a child who takes jokes seriously.”

“Oh, Emily. I’m serious.”

If it’s Sienna, she would gladly protect Mina.

“And make sure to remember the names of anyone who bothers you. I’ll get revenge for you.”

“Your Highness.”

Emily, who barely held back a sigh, shook her head, and Alicia burst into laughter again, calling Mina closer and whispering slightly in her ear.

“I’m serious. You understand, right?”

“Yes! I’ll definitely remember! Please believe me!”

“I do believe you.”

After Mina, whose face had turned bright red, left the room, Alicia, who had leisurely enjoyed a nap and woke up, was able to meet a new person.

“I pay my respects, Your Highness. Please call me Marisa.”

She was a maid with light brown hair braided neatly into two pigtails.

Alicia confirmed that her light green eyes were sparkling with curiosity and looked at Emily standing behind her.

“She is the eldest daughter of Viscount Hill. She’s a child who will move like Your Highness’s hands and feet in place of Mina for today.”

“I know Viscount Hill too. I heard he went down to his territory in the countryside due to poor health…”

“I decided to stay behind.”

“Did the viscount allow it?”

“He told me to serve the princess well.”

A father who leaves his unmarried daughter behind and departs for the countryside…

Alicia instinctively felt that there was another calculation involved.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a complicated calculation.

The ‘ambition’ that any maid working in the princess’s palace would have.

Although she won’t be able to exert power right away because Emily is there, if she can show a better appearance than Mina when the opportunity arises, she might be able to take the position of the next head maid with that.

All fathers in the world tend to overestimate their children’s abilities, so he probably left believing that if it’s his daughter, she would surely do well.

Whether it was Viscount Hill’s shallow calculation or Marisa’s ambition, Alicia had no reason to reject her as long as she properly carried out her assigned tasks based on that.

‘Since she’s a maid chosen by Emily, she must be a reliable child.’

Thinking this, Alicia got up from the bed, lightly washed her face with the washing water prepared by Marisa, and changed clothes.

Having skipped lunch and enjoyed a nap, she was hungry.

“I’m hungry…”

“Shall I prepare something?”

“I want to have dinner with Father, so just something light.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

After visually confirming that Alicia had sat on the sofa, Emily approached Marisa who was waiting.

“Do you know what you need to do?”

“Yes, Madam Campbell. I’ll prepare some light food.”

“Good.”

As she watched Marisa’s back as she left the room after bowing deeply, Emily turned her body and approached Alicia.

While thinking, ‘Since when has Marisa been wearing such a bracelet?’