“If not stopping the master from taking a dangerous path and not even thinking to inform others is not a sin, then what is it!”

Amy, who couldn’t bring herself to push away Alicia clinging to her arm, lowered her raised hand and shouted at Marisa, who was sitting down holding one cheek.

As Amy said, those who serve their master should act with the master’s safety as their top priority.

But what about Marisa?

She helped Alicia try to secretly leave the imperial palace without escorts and didn’t tell anyone.

And the result was the bandage wrapped around Alicia’s wrist.

Though she didn’t know exactly what had happened, just imagining her master being in danger somewhere unknown made her blood run cold.

Glaring at Marisa while panting, Amy continued:

“If Her Highness hadn’t returned, how would you atone for that sin!”

“I’m sorry.”

“If Her Highness had been hurt even more!”

“I’m sorry, Mrs. Campbell.”

Marisa got up and apologized to Amy in a flat voice.

Perhaps unable to see any sign of remorse in her attitude? Amy was about to raise her voice again but closed her mouth when she saw Marisa standing tall and looking at her with a dignified attitude.

She realized that Marisa had something to say to her.

She needed time to calm down too, so she should at least listen to the culprit’s excuse.

Thinking that wouldn’t change the punishment, Amy nodded.

“I apologize for lying, Mrs. Campbell. But besides that, I have no reason to apologize to you.”

“What did you say?”

“I am a person who serves Her Highness. It is my duty to sacrifice myself to keep Her Highness safe, but it is also my duty to follow the master’s orders with my life.”

Amy gritted her teeth at the sight of her speaking proudly without even thinking of covering the red handprint on her cheek.

Because it wasn’t wrong.

“When I became a lady-in-waiting for the Imperial Princess, Mrs. Campbell clearly said so. The first thing I should do is follow Her Highness Alicia’s orders, the second is to protect Her Highness’ safety, and the third is to serve Her Highness so she doesn’t feel uncomfortable.”

It was something Amy habitually said every time a new lady-in-waiting was recruited.

That if you could just do those three things properly, you wouldn’t be kicked out of the Imperial Princess’ Palace.

That if you could, Her Highness would protect you.

“Her Highness’ orders take priority for me.”

“Marisa!”

“So I’m sorry, Mrs. Campbell. I will lie to you anytime if Her Highness orders me to.”

Hadn’t she said she could see composure in Marisa, but not loyalty yet?

Amy realized that her assessment had been wrong.

To say she would follow Alicia’s orders even if it meant opposing her.

“I’m so shocked I’m speechless.”

“I’m sorry.”

Hearing Amy’s deflated voice, Alicia realized that her anger had subsided somewhat.

Alicia supported Amy, who was holding her head with one hand, and sat her down on the sofa. Taking her hand, Alicia spoke:

“I’m sorry, Amy. It’s all my fault. Marisa was just following my orders, so please forgive her. Okay?”

“Your Highness…”

“I’m the one who deceived you, Amy. I’m sorry.”

“Haah…”

“You’ll forgive me, right?”

Alicia never thought she would have to say those words again at this age, words she used to say while clutching the hem of Amy’s dress every time she got into trouble as a child.

Alicia recalled how Amy would sigh deeply each time and say she would forgive her if she promised never to do such a thing again.

‘But you always forgave me every time.’

Though it wasn’t noticeable because she was overshadowed by the Emperor and Adrian, Amy was also someone who was very weak to Alicia.

Recalling Amy’s image of always forgiving her without even getting properly angry, Alicia leaned forward to meet her eyes and smiled brightly.

“If this happens again, I’ll really get angry.”

“Yes, I’m sorry.”

“And about Marisa’s issue… Sigh… Even if I let it go, she won’t be able to avoid His Majesty’s or the Crown Prince’s wrath.”

“Don’t worry. She’s from my palace. I’ll protect her.”

The Emperor she had just met earlier was going to severely punish Marisa for failing to properly protect her.

However, faced with Alicia’s strong opposition, he had no choice but to take back his words, saying he would think about it.

[Marisa’s actions were not to monitor me, but to follow my orders! How can following the master’s words be a crime?]

Though it was close to nonsense, how could he pretend not to understand his daughter’s intentions when she got angry, saying she wouldn’t stand still if Marisa was punished?

Though he said he would think about it, in the end, the Emperor would follow Alicia’s wishes.

“Your Highness! I’ve brought the physician!”

Mina shouted as she returned, pushing Dalton’s back with perfect timing.

Pushed by her momentum, Dalton sat down in front of Alicia without even catching his breath and groaned.

“Why are the women in the imperial palace so strong…”

“Sorry.”

“Still, Your Highness’ lady-in-waiting didn’t grab me by the collar. Haha.”

It seems he was deeply impressed by being dragged by his collar by Sienna last winter.

Ignoring Dalton’s gaze, Alicia quietly held out her bandaged hand while watching Amy move from where she had been sitting with Marisa’s support.

Meanwhile, Dalton carefully unwrapped the bandage and let out a groan, “Ugh.”

It was because he had witnessed something he should never see on the Imperial Princess’ body.

“Kyaa! Your Highness! What is that!”

Mina, who was standing behind Dalton watching him examine, screamed.

Startled by her fuss, Amy, who had been resting in a chair on the opposite side, quickly approached.

“Oh my goodness!”

Even Marisa’s lime-green eyes, which had maintained a dignified appearance until now, wavered at the clear handprint left on Alicia’s slender wrist.

“What madman dared to…!”

“Mrs. Campbell!”

Amy, who was shocked by the dark bruise, fainted on the spot.

Surprised, Dalton quickly caught Amy’s collapsing body and carefully laid her on the floor.

After rolling back her eyes and opening her mouth to check the color of her tongue, Dalton let out a long sigh.

“She’s just momentarily lost consciousness. There’s no other problem, so don’t worry.”

Alicia, who was so surprised by Amy fainting that she couldn’t even scream, looked at Dalton with shaking eyes.

From the moment he was pushed towards the Imperial Princess’ Palace by Mina until Amy collapsed, Dalton smiled as he deliberately swallowed the sigh that was about to come out unconsciously at the chaotic situation.

Calming an anxious patient was also a physician’s job.

“It’s true. Don’t worry.”

Dalton grabbed Alicia’s hand and patted the back of it, then called the guard waiting outside and instructed him to move Amy, who had collapsed on the floor, to his medical office.

He, who had been standing not knowing what to do about the commotion in the Imperial Princess’ room, quickly picked up Amy on his back and ran out of the room.

“Mi-Mina. You go too.”

“But Your Highness.”

“Let me know when Amy wakes up. Okay?”

“Yes, I understand.”

After bowing to Alicia, Mina turned in the direction the guard had run and soon disappeared from her sight.

“The physician said she’ll be fine, so don’t worry, Your Highness.”

“Everyone is having a hard time because of me…”

Alicia lowered her head at Marisa’s comfort.

She thought she had acted after careful consideration, but seeing this commotion, it seems that wasn’t the case.

How is it that even though she came back in time, she still ends up making choices that trouble the precious people around her?

Dalton approached Alicia, who couldn’t raise her head for fear of tears falling, and slowly examined her wound.

The old physician could tell that Alicia was in no state to accept any comfort right now.

“Fortunately, the bone isn’t damaged.”

After applying plenty of ointment to remove the bruise and waiting for it to absorb, Dalton wrapped it with a clean bandage and looked at Marisa’s cheek standing next to Alicia.

The handprint left on her cheek was swollen and red, likely to turn into a dark bruise tomorrow.

“You should apply some of this too.”

“I’m fine, physician.”

“If people see a lady-in-waiting of the Imperial Princess walking around with such a wound on her cheek, they will criticize your master.”

At his words, Marisa held out her hand, glancing at Alicia who was hanging her head dejectedly.

It meant she would apply it herself without borrowing Dalton’s hand.

Smiling at Marisa’s behavior, Dalton handed over the ointment and said:

“Keep it and apply it diligently morning and evening.”

“Yes.”

“You should also take charge of applying ointment to Her Highness’ wrist.”

“…Is that alright?”

“Mrs. Campbell might faint again if she sees Her Highness’ wound, and Mina is too clumsy, so you, being calm, are perfect for the job.”

“Yes, I understand.”

After handing Marisa a few more ointments, Dalton stood up.

He waved his hand to stop Alicia, who was trying to get up to see him off despite her gloomy expression, and left the room saying he would visit again tomorrow morning.

“Marisa.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“I’m really sorry.”

“It’s alright.”

Alicia frowned as if she was in more pain looking at Marisa’s swollen cheek and stood up.

Though she was worried about Amy’s condition, she had to stay in the room since the Emperor had ordered her to reflect.

“I guess I can’t do anything until Mina returns.”

“Shall I prepare a bath?”

“Apply the ointment to your cheek first. Hurry.”

“…I’ll be back shortly.”

Left alone after even Marisa left the room to apply the ointment, Alicia held her head and let out a long sigh.

The mutants were a problem, and Killian was a problem, but an even bigger problem was Alicia herself, messing up everything she did.

Now what should I do… Just as she was pondering this.

Someone knocked on her door.

“Who is it?”

“I’ve brought a gift for Your Highness from Duke Diaz.”

What is this now?

Killian sent me something?

Unable to believe it, Alicia opened the door herself and received the box handed to her by the smiling servant, then returned to the inner part of the room.